Chapter 11 - The Fall of Vance
""You ruined everything, you filthy servant!"" Vance shrieked, his composure completely shattered, his finger shaking on the trigger.
Julian moved with lightning speed, stepping between the barrel and Elena, but another sound ripped through the fog before Vance could fire.
A high-caliber sniper shot echoed across the water. Vance’s weapon shattered into metal fragments, sending the doctor tumbling backward into the dark bay with a heavy splash.
From the fog rolled four armored tactical trucks bearing the emblem of Sterling Global Security. Within seconds, heavily armed operatives swarmed the perimeter, disarming the remaining dazed mercenaries and securing the area.
A tall man in tactical command gear jogged toward Julian. ""Sir! We have the perimeter locked. Coast Guard is pulling Vance out of the water now. He’s alive, but in custody.""
Julian nodded slowly, leaning heavily against the side of a shipping container as the adrenaline finally drained from his system. His vision blurred at the edges.
""Julian!"" Elena cried out, catching his arm as his knees buckled.
""I’m fine... just tired,"" Julian murmured, his head resting against her shoulder for a brief, vulnerable second. He looked down at Lily, who was fast asleep, utterly exhausted by the ordeal, her small arms still clinging to Elena’s neck.
""It’s over,"" Elena whispered, her own tears finally falling freely. ""She’s safe.""
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""Not yet,"" Julian murmured, his voice fading slightly. ""The boardroom... they’re voting on the emergency transfer at dawn. My brother... he’s behind Vance.""
Julian collapsed onto the pier, losing consciousness. The tactical medics rushed forward, surrounding them with stretchers and trauma kits. Elena stood amidst the chaos, her uniform torn and bloody, holding her daughter tightly, realizing that the battle had not ended at the docks—it had merely moved to the Sterling corporate tower.
