THE STARDUST FORTUNE

Chapter 31: Breaking Point

"Ladies and gentlemen," Eleanor raised her glass, "to the future of terraforming."

The Drake Industries gala buzzed with excitement. Alex stood beside her, his smile fixed, the evidence burning in his pocket.

His implant buzzed. Kane's voice: "Are you sure about this?"

"He deserves to know," Luna cut in. "Show them all."

Eleanor touched Alex's arm. "Say something, darling."

Alex stepped to the microphone, pulling out an old data chip.

"Let me tell you about Project Genesis." His voice carried across the ballroom. "The real one."

Eleanor's grip tightened. "Alex-"

"It started fifteen years ago." He projected the files. "When my father made a discovery."

The crowd murmured as images filled the air.

"David Conway," Alex continued, "found something in the Mars samples. Something Eleanor Drake wanted buried."

"Security," Eleanor whispered into her comm.

"Not this time." Alex raised his hand, his transformation energy blocking the doors. "Everyone needs to hear this."

The holographic display