Chapter 12 - Sparks in the Stairwell
The blinding blue glare of a plasma torch cut through the seams of the elevator security shutters, casting wild, dancing shadows across the penthouse ceiling. Sparks rained down like artificial fireflies, hissing softly as they hit the hardwood and glass floor.
The tactical operative swore under his breath, realizing his window of control was rapidly collapsing. He abandoned the wall vault, pivoted sharply, and grabbed Julian by the collar of his tailored suit, dragging him toward the open balcony doors that overlooked the dizzying city drop.
""If I'm going down, Vance, you're coming with me to the pavement below!"" the operative snarled, pressing the barrel of his weapon against Julian’s temple.
Elena gasped, instinctively pushing Lily further back into the shadows of the sofa while rising to her knees. Despite everything Julian had done—the lies, the psychological torture, the theft of her child—watching him face execution in cold blood sent a jolt of raw horror through her system.
""Let him go!"" Elena shouted, stepping out from behind the sofa, her hands raised defensively. ""Killing him won't give you the offshore codes! The biometric switch only responds to his heartbeat under stable conditions—if his heart rate spikes or stops, the accounts lock forever!""
The operative paused, glaring back at Elena with wild, desperate eyes. ""You're lying!""
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""Check the terminal screen!"" Thomas yelled from the wet bar, keeping his weapon steady. ""The indicator light just turned amber! He’s telling the truth!""
Before the operative could react, the security shutters over the elevator blew inward with a deafening explosion of smoke and metal.
