BLOODLINE UNVEILED: A BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS AVENGES

Pier 42 jutted into the black ocean like a rusted iron finger. Heavy sea mist swirled around towering stacks of shipping containers, while cold rain lashed against the wooden docks.

A lone black limousine stood at the edge of the pier, its headlights illuminating the empty concrete. Elena sat inside, composed and motionless, her hand resting over her heavy belly. Lucas stood outside the door, his hands clasped behind his back, rain dripping from his collar.

From the darkness between the shipping crates, eight armed mercenaries emerged, their weapons raised. Following them was Marcus Vance, his combat knife strapped to his thigh, a wicked smile on his scarred lips. Behind him stumbled Victoria, wrapped in a stolen trench coat, her eyes manic with anticipated triumph.

"You actually came," Marcus laughed, his boots splashing through puddles as he approached the vehicle. "You arrogant little bitch. Did you honestly think your father's money makes you invincible?"

Victoria cackled from behind him. "Drag her out, Marcus! Make her crawl just like she used to!"

Lucas stepped aside, calmly opening the limousine door.

Elena stepped out into the rain. She did not flinch, she did not shiver. She wore a heavy black coat, her diamond necklace hidden beneath her collar, her eyes burning like twin stars against the night.

"You talk too much, Marcus," Elena said, her voice cutting cleanly through the sound of crashing waves. "Just like your little brother."

Marcus’s smile vanished, replaced by an ugly scowl. "Put down your pride. You're completely surrounded. Your security detail at the gate was taken out ten minutes ago. You're walking into my boat, and your father is going to sign over five billion dollars if he ever wants to see this baby draw breath."

Elena tilted her head slightly, completely unbothered. "Did you really think the Sterling family didn't know you had three covert attack boats waiting in the harbor?"

Marcus froze.

At that exact moment, a blinding flare shot into the sky, bursting into a brilliant white blaze that illuminated the entire pier.

From the dark waters surrounding Pier 42, three massive naval-class patrol cutters belonging to the National Coast Guard emerged from the fog, their heavy deck guns already trained directly onto Marcus’s attack boats.

Simultaneously, dozens of red laser dots appeared on the chests of Marcus's mercenaries. From the tops of every shipping container around them, Sterling tactical snipers stood ready.

Marcus reached frantically for his sidearm, but a high-caliber sniper round tore through the concrete inches from his boot, showering him with sparks and rock shards.