Chapter 4 - THE FALSE SAVIOR
Trust No One in the House of GlassLeo dropped the letter onto the desk, his mind racing in horror.
Before he could process the terrifying revelation, the vault’s internal comms speaker crackled to life with static. Eleanor’s calm, calculated voice filled the small chamber.
"I see you've opened the desk, Leo," Eleanor said softly.
Leo scrambled toward the comms panel on the wall. "What is this?! My father wrote here that you tried to kill me! You set the fire at the hospital!"
A soft, chilling laugh came through the speaker.
"Oh, my dear boy," Eleanor sighed. "Your father was a brilliant man, but he was paranoid. Julian told him I was the enemy to turn him against me. Who do you think hid you in that orphanage? Who paid for your shelter, your school, and ensured you were hired at this very store so I could evaluate you today?"
"You're lying!" Leo shouted. "You used me as bait to draw out Julian!"
"I used you because you are the only piece on the board capable of overthrowing Julian's control," Eleanor admitted without a hint of remorse. "Julian controls the board of directors. The only way I can strip his power is by presenting the living blood heir with the vault keys. Yes, I put you in danger today. But power requires sacrifice."
Suddenly, the vault door shivered violently. A deep grinding noise vibrated through the steel.
"Leo, listen to me carefully," Eleanor’s voice grew urgent. "Julian brought heavy plasma cutters. They will breach that door in five minutes. Inside that desk drawer is a red button. Press it. It activates the escape elevator down to the sub-basement subway lines."
"Why should I trust you?!" Leo yelled.
"Because if you don't, Julian will erase you, and your father’s murder will go unpunished forever," Eleanor snapped. "Look at the drive attached to that letter! It contains the financial records of how Julian liquidated your father's estate. Make your choice, Leonardo!"
Outside, sparks began to shower through the top seam of the vault door as the thermal cutter ate through the steel.
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Leo gritted his teeth. He pulled the digital drive from the letter, shoved it into his pocket, and slammed his hand down on the red button beneath the desk.
The stone floor beneath him split open, revealing a hidden lift. Leo stepped onto it just as the vault door buckled and caved in with a deafening crash!
