Chapter 8 - Steel and Betrayal
Julian didn't flinch. He placed his body directly between the guns and Clara, who was shielding Leo behind her back.
""You faked Clara's dental records six years ago, didn't you, Marcus?"" Julian said, his voice flat, completely devoid of emotion. ""You verified the charred remains in the ravine.""
""Three million dollars buys a lot of silence, Julian,"" Dr. Cole replied, checking his gold wristwatch. ""In twenty minutes, Victoria will be appointed sole executive trustee of the Vance Maritime Corporation. By the time the board finishes voting, you, your imposter maid, and the boy will have perished in an unfortunate fire down here. Another tragic gas leak.""
""You coward,"" Clara spat, stepping out from Julian's shadow. ""You took an oath to preserve life.""
""An oath doesn't pay a Swiss gambling debt, Mrs. Vance,"" Dr. Cole sneered. He signaled to the mercenaries. ""Put them against the wall. Quick and clean.""
The lead mercenary raised his weapon, but Leo suddenly shrieked, kicking a metal toolbox off the side shelf. The heavy iron case crashed violently against the concrete, the echo reverberating like a gunshot.
Julian exploited the millisecond of distraction. He drew his concealed weapon and fired through his suit jacket, dropping the lead gunman instantly. Clara lunged forward, grabbing the fallen guard’s dropped submachine gun, swinging the barrel toward the second operative and pulling the trigger with chilling precision.
The second guard collapsed. The third mercenary scrambled for cover behind a concrete pillar, returning fire as bullets ricocheted off the armored Maybach.
Julian tackled Dr. Cole to the ground, pinning the doctor's neck beneath his forearm. ""The master keycard to the Vance Tower private express lift. Where is it?""
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Cole choked, clawing at Julian's arm. ""You're... you're too late... the board has already started the vote!""
Julian reached into Cole’s inner breast pocket, ripped out the gold keycard, and turned toward Clara. ""Take the backup SUV. We have ten minutes to stop her.""
