Chapter 7 - The Grand Cathedral of Shadows
Rain lashed against the stained-glass windows of the private cathedral situated on the far estate grounds. Built by Ethan’s great-grandfather, the chapel was a gothic masterpiece of vaulted stone arches, towering spires, and cavernous gloom. Inside, the four hundred guests were entirely absent; Julian’s men had intercepted the arrivals at the gate hours ago, diverting them away under the guise of a sudden security postponement.
Ethan stepped through the heavy bronze cathedral doors. His drenched tuxedo clung to his frame, water dripping from the barrel of his lowered pistol.
At the foot of the altar, illuminated by hundreds of flickering beeswax candles, stood Julian Vance. Next to him was Vanessa, who had swapped her ruined bridal dress for a sleek black tactical coat. Tied to a carved wooden pew, her mouth covered with silver tape, was Lily. Her eyes widened with hope and terror as Ethan walked down the center aisle.
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"Punctual as always, little brother," Julian called out, his voice reverberating off the stone ceiling. "Drop the weapon, Ethan. Let’s not make this traumatic for our little niece."
Ethan didn't hesitate. He tossed his handgun across the stone floor, letting it slide until it stopped against the front steps. "She is a five-year-old child, Julian. Whatever grudge you have against our father, settle it with me."
"A grudge?" Julian laughed bitterly, stepping down from the altar platform. "You grew up with private tutors, trust funds, and Richard’s approval. My mother and I lived in a rodent-infested tenement in South Boston while he built this empire with money he stole from my maternal grandfather!"
Julian pointed an accusing finger at Ethan. "You aren't the rightful heir, Ethan. You’re the bastard child of a usurper. And tonight, justice is served."
Vanessa stepped forward, producing a thick legal document and a biometric scanner. "Sign the transfer of title and provide your iris scan, Ethan. Once the transfer clears the Cayman registry, we leave the country, and the girl lives."
Ethan looked past Julian’s shoulder, staring directly into the shadowed balcony above the organ pipes. "You really think you thought of everything, Julian?"
"I don't think. I know," Julian replied smugly. "You have no leverage. No allies. No law enforcement."
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Ethan smiled—a cold, humorless curve of his lips. "You forgot one thing, Julian. You asked who taught me how to eliminate threats without mercy. It wasn't Richard."
From the shadows of the choir loft above, a red laser dot appeared, settling squarely on Julian Vance’s forehead.
