Chapter 7 - The Fractured Safe
"You won't take her," Julian said, his hand moving to the inside of his jacket.
Before his fingers could touch the grip of his firearm, Vance raised his weapon with practiced efficiency, leveling the black barrel squarely at Julian’s chest. "Don't do it, Julian. We’ve worked together for eight years. I don't want to leave a mess on this floor."
"You took an oath to my family, Vance," Julian said, holding his ground, refusing to raise his hands. "My father paid for your father’s medical bills. We gave you everything."
"Your father paid for silence, Julian," Vance replied coldly. "Just like Marcus pays for results. Now, step away from the table. Both of you."
Marcus Kane walked toward the corridor, his cane clicking rhythmically against the hardwood. "Julian, you raised her well. I’ll give you credit for that. She has Clara’s eyes. But she belongs to the Kane bloodline. The Sterling empire will survive without an heir."
"She knows me as her father!" Julian shouted, his composure shattering. "She doesn't know you! You're a ghost to her!"
"Children adapt," Marcus said without turning back. "Especially when they have money, tutors, and distance. By sunrise, she will be on a flight to Zurich."
Victoria suddenly lunged forward, her hands clawing toward Marcus. "You promised me immunity, Marcus! You promised I would be on that plane!"
Marcus didn't even flinch. He simply raised his cane, blocking her path with the silver head, shoving her back violently onto the Persian rug. "You murdered my daughter, Victoria. Did you honestly believe I would let you sit in the cabin next to her child?"
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He signaled to Vance with a flick of two fingers. "Clean up the loose ends. The local police will believe it was an aggravated robbery by Maria and an unknown accomplice."
As Marcus stepped into the dark corridor toward the study, the sound of glass shattering echoed from the floor above, followed by Emma’s sharp, terrified scream.
