Chapter 16 - The Maestro's Trap
Before the piece could reach its final movement, the music was cut short by a sharp, rhythmic clapping echoing from the VIP balcony.
A tall, distinguished man with silver hair and cold blue eyes stepped out from the shadows beside Anaëlle’s mother. Victor Sterling—The Maestro himself.
"Magnificent," Sterling announced, his voice amplified by the room's sound system. "A mother and daughter duet, separated by ten years of lies, reunited by a score of pure genius."
The crowd below murmured in confusion. Guards in black suits suddenly flooded the ballroom, blocking every exit and drawing silenced weapons on the guests.
Julian instantly pulled his gun, but before he could fire, three red laser sights centered directly on his chest.
"Put the weapon down, Julian," Sterling commanded smoothly. "Or my men turn your chest into Swiss cheese before you can pull the trigger."
Julian slowly lowered his gun, his eyes burning with lethal intent as he looked up at Sterling. "Leave the girls out of this, Sterling. You have the piano. You have what you wanted."
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"Do I?" Sterling chuckled, placing a heavy hand on the shoulder of Anaëlle’s mother, who stood motionless, tears leaking from beneath her mask. "Evelyn here spent a decade trying to convince me she forgot the master decryption sequence. She claimed only her daughter’s specific touch could trigger the final mechanism without destroying the drive."
Sterling motioned to his guards. "Bring them both to my private studio."
