Chapter 14 - The Final Betrayal
""I built this empire with my bare hands!"" Arthur screamed, his voice cracking with madness. The veneer of aristocratic dignity was completely stripped away, revealing the monstrous greed beneath. ""No bastard child of a disgraced runaway will take it from me!""
""Father, don't!"" Julian shouted, lunging forward.
BANG!
The gunshot roared through the glass boardroom, shattering the stillness. Several board members screamed and ducked beneath the heavy mahogany table.
Elena gasped, bracing for the impact of the lead bullet—but the pain never came.
Instead, a heavy body collided with her, knocking her back against the glass wall. Julian stood over her, his eyes locked on his father. For a brief second, neither man moved. Then, a dark red stain began to bloom across the pristine white collar of Julian’s shirt, spreading rapidly beneath his charcoal jacket.
""Julian!"" Elena shrieked, catching him as his knees buckled.
Arthur blinked down at his smoking gun, his hands trembling violently as he realized what he had done. ""Julian... my boy... you weren't supposed to jump...""
""Drop the weapon! Federal agents! On your knees!""
The reinforced glass double doors of the boardroom were blown open by tactical breachers. A dozen federal agents in tactical gear swarmed the room, red laser sights painting the walls. Within seconds, Arthur Sterling was tackled to the floor, his gun kicked away, and his arms twisted behind his back into heavy steel handcuffs.
Victoria screamed as two agents grabbed her arms, dragging her away from the table as she cursed and wept incoherently.
Elena paid no attention to the chaos around her. She was on her knees on the floor, holding Julian’s head in her lap. Blood was seeping through her fingers as she pressed desperately against his chest wound.
""Stay with me! Julian, look at me!"" Elena sobbed, tears splashing onto his pale cheeks. ""Someone call a medic! Please, help him!""
Julian raised a weak, blood-stained hand, his fingers faintly brushing the edge of her jaw. A faint, bittersweet smile touched his lips despite the agony twisting his features.
""You did it..."" he whispered, his breathing shallow and rattling. ""The throne... is yours, Elena.""
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""I don't want the throne, I want you!"" she cried, pressing her forehead against his. ""Don't you dare close your eyes, Julian! Do you hear me? You stay with me!""
Julian’s eyes fluttered, his hand slipping from her face, falling limp onto the blood-slicked marble floor as the sound of approaching sirens wailed in the distance.
