Chapter 14 - The Fall of Vance
Julian blinked against the blinding glare of the federal searchlights, his face illuminated in garish white. The blood continued to pour down his ruined shirt from the crystal wound, soaking through the fine fabric. He looked at Elena, then at Gabriel, then down at the street sixty stories below, where dozens of federal cruisers barricaded the entire avenue.
""No..."" Julian whispered, shaking his head in absolute denial. ""No! I am Julian Vance! I control this city! You can't do this to me!""
""You don't control anything anymore, Julian,"" Elena said coldly. ""Clara didn't just contact the SEC. She delivered the complete encrypted ledger of Project Elysium to the Department of Justice, the International Criminal Court, and every major news wire in the hemisphere ten minutes ago. Your assets are frozen worldwide. Your associates are already being arrested in three capitals. You are broke, disgraced, and completely ruined.""
Victoria slid down the wall, bursting into pathetic, wretched sobs as she realized her life of luxury had evaporated into thin air. Marcus walked over, placing heavy zip-ties around Viktor Cole’s good wrist, hauling the broken mobster to his feet.
Julian slowly backed further onto the wet terrace, his boots slipping on the slick marble. Rain whipped his face, plastering his hair across his forehead. His gaze locked onto Elena with pure, unadulterated venom. ""You think you've won, Elena? You think you can raise her alone without my shadow hanging over you? Every time she looks in the mirror, she has my eyes. She will always be a Vance!""
May you like
Elena walked calmly to the threshold of the terrace, standing tall amidst the storm and the roaring helicopters. ""She is a Sterling. And she will never hear your name again.""
Federal tactical agents in full assault gear breached the terrace fire exits, weapons drawn, lasers painting Julian’s chest with dozens of crimson dots. Julian slowly, pathetically sank to his knees in the pouring rain, raising his trembling, bloody hands into the cold air. The handcuffs snapped shut around his wrists with a final, definitive click.
