Chapter 14 - The Winter Queen
Dominic turned and walked down the corridor, his heavy boots clicking against the marble floor, Julian and Sterling following closely behind.
Emily stood motionless in the center of her office. The silence returned, heavier and more suffocating than the silence in the cathedral after Julian had walked away.
""Miss Emily,"" Henderson whispered, his hand still resting near his holster, his eyes filled with sorrow. ""Lord Alexander... does he know?""
""Call the estate,"" Emily ordered, her voice completely devoid of emotion. ""Verify my father’s safety immediately.""
Henderson dialed his secure radio. Within thirty seconds, he lowered the device with a sigh of relief. ""The security teams at the estate have neutralised Dominic’s spotters. Lord Alexander is entirely safe in the safe room. He has authorized you to take any measure necessary.""
Emily walked back to her desk. She picked up the ancient locket resting on her chest, opening the delicate silver clasp. Inside was a portrait of her mother, smiling gently beneath the summer sun of Lake Como.
She remembered her mother’s dying words: Emily, the world will tell you to be soft. They will tell you that a woman’s power is in her mercy. But when the wolves come to your gate, you must remember that you carry the blood of kings. Do not weep. Strike.
Emily closed the locket with a decisive snap.
""Henderson,"" she commanded.
""Yes, Miss Emily?""
""Contact the Swiss Federal Banking Authority. Ask for Director Keller. Tell him the 'Winter Protocol' is active.""
Henderson’s eyes widened slightly. ""The Winter Protocol? Miss Emily, that protocol hasn't been engaged since the collapse of the Berlin Wall. It will completely sever the offshore banking sector from private access for forty-eight hours.""
""Dominic didn't come here for justice,"" Emily said, staring out at the gleaming towers of Manhattan. ""He came for liquidity. He leveraged private hedge funds in London to finance this coup. If his accounts are frozen for even twelve hours, his lenders will execute his collateral.""
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A cold, lethal smile touched her lips.
""He thinks he is the wolf at my door. Let us see how long he survives in my winter.""
