Chapter 9 - The Devil at Midnight
"Looking for this, darling?" Vivienne asked, gesturing with the barrel toward the locked drawer where Julian kept his firearm. She wore a tailored trench coat, her dark hair immaculate despite the stormy night outside. Her smile was sharp, razor-thin, and chillingly devoid of emotion.
Julian straightened up, stepping between Marcus and Vivienne. "How did you get the security codes? Only Elena and I have access to this wing." Vivienne walked into the room with fluid grace, her heels clicking methodically on the hardwood floor. "Elena gave them to me, Julian. Or rather, she thought she was giving them to an insurance auditor assisting with your asset declaration."
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A cold sweat broke out across Julian's neck. "Leave her out of this. She doesn't know anything about the company’s missing capital. Take the bearer bonds and disappear." He kicked the heavy duffel bag across the floor toward her. It landed with a soft thud at her feet.
Vivienne looked down at the bag, then back up with an amused sneer. "Do you honestly think this is about money anymore? You chose her. After everything we built together, you thought you could play house with that naive little heiress and raise a family on stolen ground." She raised the gun, aiming it directly at Julian’s chest. "I’m not here for the bonds, Julian. I’m here to make sure your lineage ends before dawn."
