Chapter 12 - Vincent's UltimatumAs they reached the heavy wrought-iron door leading to the upper roof terrace, the intercom system wired throughout the estate suddenly crackled to life.
An audio feed broadcasted a harsh, distorted laugh across every speaker in the building. It was Vincent Marlowe.
"Leo! Can you hear me, you arrogant bastard?" Vincent’s voice boomed over the estate-wide PA system, dripping with manic triumph. "You thought you could strip me of my empire and dump me like trash? I own the eastern boroughs now! And right beside me is the master blueprint of every structural weak point your grandfather built into this fortress fifty years ago!"
Leo stopped dead in his tracks, his thumb hovering over his radio transmitter.
"You're standing in a sinking ship, Vincent," Leo replied into his collar mic, his voice echoing across the courtyard with terrifying calmness. "The local police and federal strike forces were notified the moment your men breached the perimeter gates. You have five minutes before this entire hill is surrounded."
"Let them come!" Vincent shrieked over the speakers. "By the time they get past the outer gates, this entire estate will be a crater! Unless... unless Clara wants to step outside and negotiate terms for her father's old ledger."
Clara’s breath caught in her throat. He wanted her.
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Before Leo could react, Clara stepped forward, grabbed the radio console near the terrace door, and keyed the broadcast frequency.
"I'm right here, Vincent," Clara shouted into the mic, her voice ringing clear and fearless across the compound. "If you want the ledger, you'll have to come up here and take it yourself!"
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