Chapter 7 - The Hostile Vault
"Step back, Julian," Claire instructed calmly, stepping behind the protection of the two mercenaries. "Mr. Vance and Mr. Cross are here to escort me off the premises—along with my luggage. The crates are already in the rear van. By sunrise, the bonds will be in an offshore trust beyond the reach of your domestic court orders."
Julian stopped in the doorway, measuring the distance between himself and the armed men. His muscles tensed, calculating the angles, but the presence of Lily and his frail mother just paces behind him immobilized his fists.
"You won't get past the estate gates," Julian said, his eyes drilling into Vance, the taller of the two guards. "The perimeter sensors alert the county sheriff the moment an unauthorized vehicle crosses the lower bridge."
"The sensors have been on a maintenance loop for forty minutes, Mr. Sterling," Vance replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "We were hired to ensure Miss Claire leaves with her designated personal effects. We have no interest in violence, provided you remain in the dining hall."
"Those bonds are not personal effects," Eleanor shouted, leaning heavily on the table as she tried to stand. "That is the charity trust! It funds four children's hospitals in this state!"
"It funds my retirement," Claire sneered. "Consider it my settlement for having to endure three years of this mausoleum and your senile hysterics."
May you like
Claire turned toward the grand front entrance, her heels clicking across the marble. But before she could reach the threshold, a sudden high-pitched chime chimed from the tablet nestled under Vance's arm. The guard frowned, glancing down at the flashing red screen.
"Ma'am," Vance muttered, his hand twitching on his weapon. "The lower bridge gate didn't open. It's been physically barricaded."
