Chapter 6 - The Glass Fortress
Inside the penthouse, the atmosphere had turned lethal. Julian threw Claire’s phone onto the stone fireplace hearth, where the glass screen shattered into a web of white cracks. He paced back and forth, dragging a hand through his slicked hair, his initial cold detachment unraveling into manic paranoia.
""What did you tell him?"" Julian demanded, grabbing Claire by the collar of her silk blouse and yanking her upright. ""Did you tell him about the accounts? About the offshore funds?""
""I told him you hurt me!"" Claire cried out, finding a sudden reservoir of defiance beneath her terror. ""He doesn’t care about your money, Julian! He knows what you are!""
Julian’s hand pulled back, ready to strike her again, when a loud, electronic beep echoed from the private foyer. The direct elevator indicator light chimed, switching from standby amber to active green.
Julian froze. He released Claire, who collapsed against the arm of the sofa, gasping for air. He straightened his cashmere sweater, stepping back toward the display cabinet where a decorative antique revolver sat in an open wooden box. It wasn't loaded, but it served as a symbol of intimidation.
""He won't make it past the private corridor,"" Julian sneered under his breath, reaching for the wall intercom to summon his personal bodyguards stationed in the service hallway. ""David! Carl! Get in here now!""
The intercom crackled with static, followed by the dull, heavy thud of a body hitting the wall in the outer vestibule, followed by a faint groan. Then silence.
The double doors leading to the private foyer swung open with a resounding crack.
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Framed in the doorway stood Arthur Vance. The rain had dampened his grey hair, and his dark overcoat hung around his broad shoulders like a shroud of vengeance. Behind him, Marcus stood vigilant, while two of Julian's private bodyguards sat disarmed and groaning on the floor of the hallway.
Julian took an involuntary step backward, his sneer evaporating. ""Arthur... what is the meaning of this intrusion?""
