Chapter 12 - Infiltration
The glass and steel monolith of the Sterling Financial Tower pierced the grey morning sky like a dagger. Below, dozens of police cruisers with flashing red and blue lights cordoned off the plaza, keeping hundreds of reporters and protesters at bay. The media was in a frenzy over the hunt for the rogue billionaire heir.
A black town car with heavily tinted windows glided smoothly past the outer barricades, pulling into the underground executive parking deck.
Inside the security booth, the chief guard tapped on the driver's window. ""Restricted access today, sir. Lord Sterling's orders—""
The window rolled down to reveal Julian Sterling, looking regal, pristine, and entirely unfazed. Beside him sat Elena, radiating pure nobility.
""Julian Sterling?!"" The guard reached for his radio in sheer panic.
""Push that button, Miller, and I'll make sure your offshore pension account in the Caymans is frozen before you finish the sentence,"" Julian said in a low, chilling whisper. ""You’ve worked for this family for fifteen years. Who signed your paychecks? My father, or me?""
The guard hesitated, his hand hovering over the panic switch, his eyes darting between Julian’s lethal stare and the sheer authority radiating from the young man. Slowly, Miller lowered the radio. ""The board is on the sixtieth floor, Mr. Sterling. But your father brought his private tactical squad. They aren't regular security. They have orders to shoot on sight.""
""Thank you, Miller. Take the rest of the day off,"" Julian said, tossing an encrypted keycard onto the guard's desk.
The executive elevator rose rapidly through the skyscraper, the digital floor counter ticking upward: 40... 45... 50... 55...
Elena’s heart pounded against her ribs. She gripped Julian’s hand. He squeezed back, his grip grounding her through the terror.
""Remember the plan,"" Julian murmured, keeping his eyes on the digital display. ""The moment the doors open, you head straight for the podium. Do not look at the guns. Look only at the cameras. Once the live broadcast feed is triggered, they cannot shoot without broadcasting their crimes to three million viewers.""
58... 59... 60.
The elevator chime sounded with a cheerful, terrifying ring. The brushed steel doors slid open to reveal the lavish, double-height boardroom.
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At the center of the massive glass table sat Lord Arthur Sterling, surrounded by twenty terrified board members and flanked by Victoria and four heavily armed mercenaries in black armor.
Arthur’s head snapped up. His eyes widened in fury and shock. ""Kill them!"" he roared.
