Chapter 6 - The Uninvited Guest
The sudden silence in the study was broken by a slow, mocking clap echoing from the ruined hallway. Dorian’s guards instantly pivoted their weapons toward the entrance, but the figure stepping through the shattered doorway moved with fluid confidence, completely indifferent to the raised rifle barrels.
It was Tanya.
Her white bridal gown was torn at the hem and smeared with black soot, the intricate lace sleeves ripped off. The handcuffs were gone, replaced by a gleaming titanium tactical comm-device strapped to her wrist. Behind her stood six private security contractors wearing unmarked combat vests, their weapons drawn and leveled squarely at Dorian’s men.
""Tanya?"" Maya whispered in utter disbelief. ""How did you... the federal agents...""
""Federal agents?"" Tanya scoffed, tossing a set of severed zip-ties onto the floor with a disdainful smirk. ""Please, little sister. You think Marcus was smart enough to embezzle fifty million dollars on his own? You think I married that coward for love?""
Tanya stepped into the moonlight, revealing a sharp, icy ruthlessness that entirely wiped away the petty, jealous sister she had played for years.
""Marcus was the bait,"" Tanya said, looking at Dorian with unmistakable familiarity. ""He was the fool we fed to Arthur's compliance investigators to trigger this exact confrontation. Arthur thought he was cornering me, while in reality, he was clearing the board so your real father could retrieve the Swiss papers.""
Arthur slowly rose to his feet, pulling Maya behind him. His eyes were narrowed into venomous slits. ""You're working for the Sovereign Syndicate. You were planted in the Vance family from the beginning.""
""Robert Vance adopted me first,"" Tanya hissed, her voice dripping with years of buried venom. ""I was twelve years old, Arthur! He treated me like a pawn, grooming me to be his corporate secretary while keeping this little princess hidden away in luxury! Then he cast me aside the moment he realized my DNA couldn't unlock the Sovereign accounts.""
Tanya turned her gaze to Dorian Cross, a cold, expectant gleam in her eyes. ""I brought Arthur into the trap, Dorian. Marcus is taking the fall for the federal wire fraud, and Arthur’s public arrest for harbor of stolen assets is scheduled for dawn. Give me the transfer codes.""
Dorian did not look at her. Instead, he kept his eyes locked on Maya.
""You did well, Tanya,"" Dorian said dismissively. ""Your mercenary team can wait outside. Family matters are settled internally.""
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Tanya’s smile vanished, replaced by sudden, volatile fury. ""Family? I bled for ten years managing your shell companies! You promised me half the Apex shares!""
Dorian sighed, turning his head slightly. ""Kill her.""
