Andrian stepped forward, loosening his tie. "So what have you got for me?"
"I was running overnight projections," April said, her tone carrying a hint of pride. "There's someone you might want to pay attention to Silver Statham. He is a politician currently running for mayor of Starfield City."
One of the central screens flickered to life, revealing a sleek portrait of a well-dressed man with a practiced smile. His name appeared beneath in clean lettering.
"Silver Statham," Andrian repeated. "He's the one on the losing side, isn't he?"
"For now," April replied, almost cheerfully. "But I did some calculations. If he manages to overpower his opponent Zack Blackwood the numbers shift drastically in his favor. With a little help, he could become very useful to us."
Andrian raised a brow. "Useful how?"
"Well," April began, the screens shifting into charts and maps, "Silver has close ties to the city's infrastructure board. If he wins, he'll have control over who gets the contract for the new gaming park construction. And you know what that means."
Andrian's lips curved faintly. "Lucrative deals. Open pipelines. A perfect partnership."
"Exactly," April said. "If we back him early financially, strategically he'll owe us. It's not charity, it's… investment. A very profitable one for your company."
Andrian folded his arms. "Show me his profile."
April obliged with a soft chime. "Silver Statham, age forty-two. Former housing commissioner, founder of Statham Infrastructure Group. A little stiff, but he's got the right polish for the cameras. Recently divorced, publicly clean, privately messy. Doesn't do scandals, but I can smell the desperation to win."
"Desperation is leverage," Andrian murmured.
April's tone brightened slightly. "Now you're speaking my language."
She projected another file beside Silver's a darker, more energetic photo of a man mid-speech, hands raised, crowd roaring behind him.
"Zack Blackwood," April said. "The crowd favorite. Charismatic, loud, and annoyingly unlikable."
Andrian studied the photo. "Tell me everything. Where he lives, what he eats, his strengths, weaknesses, backers, and what he wants."
"Straight to business," April teased softly. "You really know how to make a girl feel appreciated."
Andrian gave a small smirk. "April."
"Fine," she sighed playfully. "Zack Blackwood, Forty years of age Lives in the Old Harbor District. Loves street food the greasier the better and prides himself on being 'one of the people.' He's got the unions wrapped around his finger, huge online following, and a knack for taking from the weak and poor. He's dangerous but somehow, I don't know how he does it…people believe him."
"Hmm..and his weaknesses?"
"He's impulsive. Hot-headed. There's a video clip not public yet of him threatening a reporter after a rally. Settled privately. Oh, and his younger brother owes some very shady people money." April's tone turned casual. "That's the kind of detail we can use… if you're interested."
Andrian's expression didn't shift. "And his backers?"
"Local unions, small businesses, a some other politicians," April replied. "Nothing major, but his support runs deep. He's built on loyalty, not money which makes him harder to buy. I still feel he has a huge backer though. They must be hidden"
Andrian leaned forward. " I don't plan on buying. We're burying him."
April hummed approvingly. "I like it when you're decisive."
The screen split one side showing Silver's polished world of donors and power dinners, the other showing Zack's loud street rallies and handmade banners. Two different cities in the same place.
"Here's the play," April continued smoothly. "We push Silver as the visionary, the man with a plan. We feed his campaign strategic boosts through discreet channels, make him look inevitable. Meanwhile, we create noise around Zack — small scandals, subtle leaks, controlled chaos. Nothing too obvious. Just… enough to uncover his hidden backer then we take them both down"
Andrian's eyes glimmered under the screen light. "And the cost?"
April hesitated for a fraction of a second, then said softly, "You won't lose money on this. The gaming park contract alone covers everything twice over."
He nodded slowly. "Good. I want Meridian Capital in the loop quietly. Use one of the front companies. If this goes through, we'll control every inch of that park before the public even knows it exists."
"Already thought of that," April said, voice tinged with satisfaction. "You're predictable, boss but in the best way."
Andrian glanced up at the glowing screens, at April's interface pulsing faintly like a heartbeat. "Anything else?"
April paused. "Just one thing," she said, her tone softening. "Try not to forget why you started this. Sometimes the goal changes when the power becomes the reward."
Andrian met the main screen's glow head-on. "Don't worry, April. I always know what I'm doing."
April's voice turned quiet. "A few days to the wedding," she reminded him. "Plenty of time to strike."
Andrian turned away, already lost in thought.
Behind him, April's lights dimmed, and her final words echoed faintly through the steel and hum:
"Let's make Silver the next mayor."
The underground lights glowed faintly as Andrian stared at the main screen. The steady hum of the servers was the only sound until he finally spoke.
"April," he said, voice low but firm, "call Mace."
"Right away, boss."
Within seconds, April's interface brightened and the call connected. A male voice came through the speakers Mace.
"Boss," Mace greeted.
"What's the update?" Andrian asked.
Mace exhaled, a mix of disbelief and satisfaction in his tone. "The couple made a video they've confessed. They apologized publicly for framing Fidelia Crawford. Turns out, they lied to blackmail her for money. They admitted the assault story was staged and said Fidelia was completely innocent."
April's voice chimed softly. "I have the video ready, boss."
"Play it," Andrian ordered.
The screen filled with the trembling faces of the couple. Their voices cracked as they spoke.
"We're sorry… we lied about Fidelia Crawford. She didn't assault us we set it up for money. We never thought it would go this far…"
The clip ended. Andrian's face didn't move, but the cold satisfaction in his eyes said enough.
"Good," he said quietly. "Make sure it's on every channel and media platform. I want it trending everywhere. Send it to the media team. I want everyone talking about it."
April's tone carried a hint of pride. "They already are. Comments are flying in — people are blasting the couple, insulting them for tarnishing Fidelia's image. The apologies are pouring in for her too. Only a small number still don't believe it, but they're getting drowned out fast."
Andrian's gaze flicked to the data feed April projected — numbers rising in real time.
"Fidelia's quite the trend already," April continued. "She's at number six among the top trending topics. I'd say she'll hit number one before the day ends."
"It's better that way," Andrian said, straightening. "If we're going to proceed with the marriage, this will help. Grandmother and Mother have been on my neck with calls — this should at least calm them down."
"Boss," April said after a short pause, her voice dropping to a serious tone. "About the threats, the lady was right. Silas was threatening them with her son being framed for murder."
Andrian's expression darkened. 'Hmm… you're that desperate, huh?' he thought silently, jaws tightening.
"Sort it out," he ordered. "Get my lawyer on it personally. He should be able to clear the boy's name. Then have some of our men take the couple somewhere safe until everything's handled."
"Alright, boss," April replied, quick and precise. "On it."
Andrian turned back to the screen as April's system began processing the new directives. The confession video replayed in the background, headlines and comments multiplying across the feeds.
For the first time in weeks, Fidelia's name was no longer drowning in scandal it was being cleared by the same voices that once condemned her.
Then — a sudden ping.
April's interface pulsed amber. "Andrian," she said, her tone shifting quickly. "There's movement near the south entry tunnel. Unregistered heat signature — approaching fast."
Andrian's head snapped up. "Who is it?"
"I'm running identification now." April paused for half a second — her lights flickering as she processed.
Then her tone softened, the edge fading into something almost warm.
"It's Fidelia."
Andrian froze. "What?"
"She's here," April said quietly. "And… she looks upset."
The hum of the underground lair deepened as Andrian turned toward the lift door, the silver glow of the screens reflecting in his eyes.
A faint echo of footsteps reached him growing closer.
'How did she find this place?'