Chapter 11 - The True Puppet Master
Eleanor’s ivory gown was shredded, her face bruised and swollen. Her frantic, wide eyes locked onto Julian as he stepped into the room with his weapon raised. She strained against the leather restraints, weeping hysterically.
""Julian! God, Julian, help me!"" she sobbed, the arrogance that had defined her completely shattered. ""He took it... he took everything!""
Julian didn't lower his gun. ""Where is Henry?""
""He's not Henry!"" Eleanor choked out, coughing up a small trace of blood. ""Henry died twelve years ago! The man who hired me... the man who killed your brother... it’s your father's brother! Uncle Richard!""
Julian felt a cold shiver race down his spine. Richard Vance—the estranged, disgraced black sheep of the family who was supposed to be serving a life sentence in a maximum-security federal prison.
""Richard escaped two years ago during a transport transfer,"" Clara whispered, stepping forward, the realization dawning on her. ""The media never reported it because the Vance Corporation paid off the warden to avoid a stock crash.""
""He used me,"" Eleanor wept, thrashing against her bonds. ""He told me he would split the offshore accounts with me. But the moment we left the dock, his men tied me up. He doesn't need me anymore. He has the decryption key! He’s going to purge the entire corporate ledger and wipe out all Vance heirs to claim the sole inheritance!""
""Where is he?"" Julian demanded, leaning down until his gun barrel touched Eleanor’s bruised forehead.
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""The bridge,"" she whispered in terror. ""He's broadcasting the transfer authorization now. If that satellite ping finishes, he legally controls the entire conglomerate.""
Suddenly, the stateroom door kicked open with explosive force. A stun grenade bounced into the room, blinding them with a devastating flash and a deafening bang.
