Chapter 4 - THE TRAP AT ST. JUDE’S
Friday night arrived with a heavy, dismal rain that slicked the asphalt of the city’s industrial district.
The old brick building of St. Jude’s Orphanage stood under the flickering streetlights. At precisely 8:15 PM, a modest silver sedan pulled into the side alleyway of the building. Aria stepped out, dressed in a plain coat, carrying a box of new books and supplies for the children.
She walked down the dark alley toward the back door.
Suddenly, the headlights of two unmarked black vans roared to life at both ends of the alley, blocking all exits. The rain sliced through the beams of bright light.
The side door of the front van slid open with a sharp screech. Four heavy-set men in tactical gear and ski masks jumped out, firearms drawn. Behind them stepped Selena Voss, wearing a heavy raincoat, her eyes crazed with anticipation.
"Well, well, well," Selena’s voice mocked, echoing off the damp brick walls. "Look who’s caught in the rain without her billionaire grandfather."
Aria stopped in her tracks. She set the box of books down gently on a dry step beside the emergency exit. She didn't scream. She didn't run. She simply turned to face Selena.
"Selena," Aria said calmly. "I see bankruptcy hasn't improved your fashion sense."
Selena’s face twisted in rage. "Mock me all you want, you arrogant bitch! You ruined my life! You destroyed my family! But tonight, you’re going to pay for every single cent we lost!"
Julian Sterling stepped out from the secondary van, holding an encrypted tablet and a sleek silenced pistol.
"Aria," Julian said smoothly, stepping into the dim streetlight. "You should have stayed an anonymous intern. Power doesn't suit little girls. Now, be a good niece and step into the van. You’re going to sign a few transfer documents for me tonight."
"And if I refuse?" Aria asked, crossing her arms against the cold wind.
"Then your grandfather receives you back piece by piece," Julian threatened, raising the gun slightly. "Grab her!"
Two of the armed mercenaries rushed forward, reaching out to grab Aria’s arms.
Aria didn't flinch. Instead, she lifted her right hand and tapped a small, silver ring on her index finger twice.
CLICK.
High above the alley, on the rooftops of the surrounding warehouses, powerful floodlights suddenly burst to life, blinding the mercenaries and illuminating the night like daylight.
BOOM!
The heavy steel emergency door of the orphanage smashed open. But it wasn't helpless children inside. Out poured a squad of fifteen heavily armed, state-of-the-art private tactical security personnel, clad in full body armor and bearing the crest of Harrington Security Services.
Simultaneously, from the shadows of the roof, snipers highlighted the chests of Julian’s mercenaries with crimson laser sights.
"DROP YOUR WEAPONS! ON THE GROUND NOW!" a voice boomed through a high-powered megaphone.
Julian’s mercenaries immediately dropped their weapons, raising their hands in total surrender. They were professionals—they knew when they were completely outmatched and outgunned.
"What?! No! Shoot them! SHOOT HER!" Selena screamed frantically, grabbing one of the mercenaries by his tactical vest. The man shoved her away, dropping to his knees with his hands behind his head.
Julian turned white as snow. He dropped his pistol onto the wet pavement, his hands shaking violently as he realized the magnitude of his mistake.
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Aria walked forward slowly, her heels clicking against the wet asphalt. She stopped right in front of Julian and Selena, who were now surrounded by red laser dots targeting their chests.
"Did you really think," Aria said softly, her voice carrying absolute authority, "that the heir to Harrington Global would walk into a dark alley without a trap ready?"
