Chapter 3 - The Lockdown
The heavy iron gates of the Connecticut estate slammed shut with a deafening, metallic clang.
Julian stood perfectly still in the center of his son’s bedroom, listening to the distant sound of the lockdown protocols engaging.
Thick steel shutters smoothly descended over the massive windows of the mansion, sealing the entire property in absolute darkness.
Marcus, the ruthless chief of security, did not ask any questions when Julian gave the order over the phone.
He simply executed the command with the lethal efficiency that made him the most feared man in Julian’s empire.
Julian looked down at his cell phone, watching the network signal bars drop completely to zero.
No one was making a call, no one was sending a message, and no one was leaving this estate tonight.
"Take the IV bag out of his arm immediately," Julian ordered Clara, his voice devoid of any warmth.
Clara moved quickly, her professional training taking over as she safely extracted the needle and bandaged the boy’s delicate skin.
Silas watched the entire exchange with wide, silent eyes, his small chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.
"I am going to find her, and I am going to end this," Julian stated, checking the magazine of his pistol one last time.
"Lock this door behind me, Clara, and do not open it for anyone except me or Marcus."
"If anyone else tries to breach this room, you have my full permission to do whatever is necessary to protect my son."
Clara nodded solemnly, pulling a heavy brass heavy lamp from the bedside table to use as a makeshift weapon.
Julian stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, his leather shoes making absolutely no sound on the imported Persian rugs.
The mansion was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that usually preceded a violent, devastating storm.
He knew Victoria was still inside the house, trapped like a rat in a gilded, expensive cage.
She had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and absolutely no idea that her perfect, lethal plan had just been shattered.
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Julian began a methodical hunt through the east wing, his pistol raised and his eyes scanning every single shadow.
Tonight, the billionaire tech mogul was dead, and only a desperate, vengeful father remained.
