Chapter 5 - The Midnight Breach
The heavy glass windows rattled against the howling wind outside, but Elena knew the vibration had not come from the storm. Christian moved with terrifying speed, drawing a matte-black firearm from beneath his desk and extinguishing the ambient floor lamps with a remote switch. The penthouse plunged into shadows illuminated only by the faint city glow.
""Stay behind me and keep low,"" Christian whispered, his voice calm, measured, and devoid of fear.
""Is it Richard?"" Elena whispered back, her heart hammering against her ribs.
""Richard doesn't have the stomach for this,"" Christian murmured. ""He hired someone to finish what the humiliation was supposed to start. If you don't survive the night, your father's will defaults to him automatically by tomorrow's deadline.""
A muted pop echoed down the private hallway—a suppressed round destroying the electronic lock of the elevator. Christian stepped into the corridor, not retreating, but advancing toward the sound. Two shadows slipped into the foyer, laser sights cutting red lines through the gloom.
Elena held her breath behind the marble partition. Christian fired twice with lethal precision. The intruders collapsed without a cry, their weapons clattering against the polished stone.
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Before Elena could process the violence, a third figure emerged from the side terrace, leaping directly toward Christian with a serrated hunting knife. Christian parried the strike, the blade tearing through his black shirt, slicing deep across his shoulder. He countered ruthlessly, driving the attacker hard against the wall until the man went limp.
Christian stood breathing heavily in the quiet apartment, blood steadily soaking through his torn sleeve. He turned to Elena, his dark eyes fierce. ""Pack a single bag. We leave the city now.""
