Chapter 13 - Desperate Measures
Arthur stood up immediately, the gentle warmth of a father vanishing behind the cold calculating persona of the titan. He walked to the door, stepping into the corridor with Marcus while Claire watched with renewed anxiety.
""Where is he?"" Arthur demanded.
""His car was spotted leaving the city limits forty minutes ago,"" Marcus reported, handing Arthur a printout of traffic camera footage. ""He purchased an unregistered firearm from a known contact in the docks district an hour before dawn. His father has no idea where he is. Julian knows he faces prison time once the financial audits conclude today. He has nothing left to lose.""
Arthur stared at the photograph of Julian's dark sedan speeding north. The highway led directly toward the wooded hills surrounding the Vance estate.
""He is coming here,"" Arthur said with absolute certainty. ""He blames Claire for his downfall. A weak man with a ruined ego always seeks to punish the victim.""
""The estate perimeter is locked down, sir,"" Marcus stated. ""We have four teams covering the outer gates and the forest trail. If he breaches the outer fence, he won't make it fifty yards.""
""No,"" Arthur countered, his eyes darkening with ruthless clarity. ""Do not engage him at the outer gate. Let him enter the inner grounds.""
Marcus looked surprised. ""Sir?""
""If you arrest him at the gate, his lawyers will claim he was coming to seek an amicable settlement. He will get bail, he will drag this through courts, and Claire will spend months living in terror,"" Arthur explained, his voice low and uncompromising. ""Let him come into the courtyard. Let him show his intent. I will end this threat once and for all, where the law cannot interfere.""
Arthur turned back to the bedroom door, opening it slightly. Claire was sitting up in bed, her face pale.
May you like
""Daddy, is Julian coming?"" she whispered, having heard the tension in their voices.
Arthur smiled calmly, projecting absolute invulnerability. ""Do not worry, Claire. You are in your father's house. Today, the dragon is finally slain.""
