Chapter 5 - THE PRICE OF POWER“Let the child go, Vivienne,” I said, keeping my hands raised, palms open and visible to show I was unarmed. “This is between us. The board knows everything. Marco has already locked down the external servers. Even if you walk out of this kitchen, you won't make it past the front gates.”
Julian chuckled, stepping forward and leveling his pistol directly at my left knee.
“Let me correct you, cousin,” Julian said, his voice dripping with venom. “Marco isn't locking down anything. Marco has been on our payroll since the day you hired him. Who do you think helped us move Sofia’s body to the guest cottage after the heart-stopper took effect?”
The words hit me like a physical blow. Marco. The man I trusted with my life. The man who had stood by my side through three corporate wars.
“You’re bankrupt, Julian,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. “Even if you kill me, the forensic audit of Vance Global starts at 8:00 AM tomorrow. The SEC has a complete mirror of our servers. You’re running out of time.”
Vivienne’s face twisted in panic. She looked at Julian, her grip on Rosie tightening so hard the little girl whimpered in pain. “He’s lying, Julian! He’s just stalling!”
“He’s not lying,” a deep, gravelly voice echoed from the doorway.
Julian spun around, raising his pistol toward the entrance—but he was too late.
Marco stood framed in the doorway. But he wasn’t holding a weapon aimed at me. In his right hand, he held a heavy tactical shotgun, and its barrel was pointed squarely at Julian’s chest.
“Drop the piece, Julian,” Marco said coldly. “The game’s over.”
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Julian stared at Marco in absolute disbelief. “What are you doing? We had a deal!”
“Deals change when the FBI intercepts the offshore wire transfers,” Marco replied without blinking. “I’m a professional, Julian. I work for the highest bidder who actually wins. And right now, that’s Mr. Vance.”
