Chapter 7 - The Trap is Sprung
Three black, unmarked tactical vans pulled up to the perimeter of the remote Sterling estate under the cover of midnight.
A team of heavily armed mercenaries slipped out, using thermal goggles to navigate the dense forest surrounding the bunker.
They bypassed the outer security cameras with ease, cutting through the electrified fence like professionals.
The leader of the squad signaled for them to breach the main reinforced door leading down to the holding cells.
They planted a silent thermal charge, melting the locking mechanism in seconds before rushing into the dark corridor.
But instead of finding a panicked Julian waiting to be rescued, the lights in the corridor suddenly blazed to life.
The mercenaries froze as heavily armed Sterling operatives stepped out from hidden alcoves, aiming assault rifles directly at them.
Standing safely behind a wall of bulletproof glass at the end of the hall was Victoria.
“Did you really think I didn't monitor every single frequency in my own facility?” Victoria asked through the intercom.
The mercenary leader lowered his weapon, realizing instantly that they had walked directly into a fatal ambush.
“Julian Sterling offered us five million in Zurich,” the leader confessed, hoping to negotiate his way out of a slaughter.
Victoria laughed, a cold, elegant sound that echoed through the concrete hallway.
“Julian doesn't have five dollars to his name, let alone diamonds in Zurich.”
She signaled to her men, who moved forward swiftly, disarming the mercenaries and binding their hands with zip-ties.
“Throw them in the holding cells next to our distinguished guest,” Victoria ordered her captain.
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The trap had worked flawlessly, entirely crushing Julian’s absolute last shred of hope.
He had not outsmarted the matriarch; he had simply given her an excuse to lock up his remaining criminal associates.
