System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

Max nodded fervently, feeling the weight of his father's mission and Ethan's trust. "Understood. A definitive blow. I'll talk to Dad; I'll tell him the deal is closed under those terms. He'll understand the strategy, I'm sure."

"Good," Ethan said. He pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket. "This is the number for my lawyer, Davies. Call him and tell him you need him immediately. Explain that you have sensitive information that can change the course of my case, but don't reveal Thompson's name. Tell him to prepare. And Max..."

"Yes?"

"Hailey," Ethan said, his voice softening for the first time. "Tell her I'm fine. That I'm 'solving some quantum physics problem,' whatever works. I don't want her to worry too much."

"Of course, I will," Max replied, a genuine smile returning. "She's been driving me crazy. Only I know you're here; Dad didn't tell anyone. Don't worry, I won't spread it. I promise nothing more than the message for Davies will leave my mouth."

"Thank you, Max. I know I can rely on your discretion. Take care of her, and don't get too distracted by the Electrodynamics exams," Ethan joked.

Max stood up, nodded, and was escorted out by the guards.

Ethan remained seated at the table, hearing the metallic echo of the door closing. He expected the guards to come and take him back to his cell, but the door opened once more.

This time, an older man entered, his gray hair perfectly combed, his chiseled face conveying an unwavering calm. He wore an impeccable, expensive, and formally cut lawyer's suit that seemed to defy the misery of the setting.

The man slid into the seat opposite Ethan, showing neither rush nor respect for the location.

"Good morning, Mr. Blake," the man said, his voice deep and measured, with an accent that denoted rigorous education. "My name is Stone. I am Old Falcon's attorney."

Ethan stared at him. "Good morning, Mr. Stone. I'm afraid you must have the wrong client. I don't have the pleasure of knowing any 'Old Falcon'."

Stone maintained his composure. He leaned slightly across the table. "I have not made a mistake. 'Old Falcon' is Mr. Jason's master. He learned of the situation and sent me immediately."

At the mention of Jason, Ethan's attitude shifted completely. His caution dissipated, replaced by immediate respect. "Ah. Jason's master. In that case, it is an absolute pleasure, Mr. Stone. Please forgive my initial reluctance."

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Blake," Stone said, opening a leather briefcase and pulling out a tablet and a notebook. "We have very little time and very serious charges against you. My goal is to understand the narrative we are going to sell in court, to the public, and to Prosecutor Carter's office."

"My narrative is simple," Ethan said, straightening up. "It was a rescue operation. Cassandra, the woman who was with me, had been kidnapped. We were there to get her out. Congressman Vance's people—his security detail or his thugs—opened fire first. We returned fire. And as for the bomb, we didn't plant it. They activated it. He did. The Congressman. Or his men, to kill us all and blame 'terrorists'."

Stone took meticulous notes, nodding slowly. "Perfect. A clean narrative of rescue and self-defense against a deadly assault. That mitigates the charge of aggravated assault. But the terrorism charge is the most dangerous. Congress does not yield easily to that."

"That is where Congressman Thompson comes in," Ethan interrupted. "I just met with his son. Thompson is battling Vance for the governorship and knows Vance is corrupt and desperate. I've agreed to a political deal with him: he gets us out, and we support him. But the rescue must wait."

Stone stopped writing and looked at Ethan with a mixture of professional awe and astonishment. "You secured the support of a Congressman in less than 48 hours in prison? Remarkable. This is, I must say, crucial. Defeating a Congressman in court without the backing of another high-level political figure would have been a resource-draining and credibility-crushing challenge."

"Exactly," Ethan said. "Without Thompson, it doesn't matter if we tell the truth; Vance will crush us with influence. With Thompson, we force him to play by the rules, or at least, by rules we can manipulate better."

Stone leaned back, adjusting his glasses. "Prosecutor Carter, as I understand it, is trying to bury evidence. That gives us a vulnerability we can exploit. Your friend's father, or rather Congressman Thompson's contact, already has a friendly prosecutor willing to move papers, correct? We want them to look for a pattern: How many of Congressman Vance's guards had criminal records? Were all the weapons registered? What exactly was the Congressman doing at the time of the bombing?"

"Have them focus on the bomb," Ethan instructed. "An affidavit from an explosives expert stating that the device was detonated from inside the mansion. That shifts the charge from 'terrorism' to an attempted mass murder by the victim, Congressman Vance. That wipes him off the political map."

"Brilliant. The legal counter-punch is the only real defense," Stone conceded. "But my client, Old Falcon, has another concern: the Olympus people. They will grow stronger seeing Royal's inaction. My mission is to get you out quickly to stabilize the organization."

Ethan waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about that. Jason and my people, Lena and Cassandra, are handling it. The Thompson deal is better: one month here. Maximum. One month of media attention and Thompson pressuring Prosecutor Carter. When I get out, it will be with a public exoneration that destroys Vance and gives Royal armored legitimacy. We won't just take back the territory, we will take everything. With Thompson in the governorship, we will have the key to the city."

Stone closed his briefcase. "One month. It is a risk we must accept. I will make the legal arrangements to slow down the process without raising suspicion that we are intentionally prolonging the stay. We will object to the evidence and request access to the prison security footage, just to cause friction."

"Excellent. It is a pleasure to work with a professional, Mr. Stone. Tell Old Falcon that I greatly value his and Jason's support. This will not be in vain," Ethan said.

The lawyer nodded, his face impassive. "I will ensure it is not in vain, Mr. Blake. Your freedom, and Jason's, is now my sole priority. The war is now being fought in the courts."

Stone stood and headed for the door, leaving Ethan alone, but now armed with a political strategy and a top-tier attorney.