Chapter 17 - The Final Stand
"Move, Julian," Arthur ordered, his voice cracking like a whip. "You are a Vance. Stop acting like a sniveling coward and come to your father."
"You're not my father!" Julian yelled, grabbing the heavy crystal paperweight Clara had used to smash the filing cabinet, which he had secretly pocketed in the basement. "You're a monster!"
"Have it your way," Arthur sighed. He nodded at Graves.
Graves lunged forward, grabbing Clara by the throat and slamming her against the brick parapet. Clara kicked and thrashed, but the man was too strong. He lifted her off her feet, pushing her over the edge.
"Clara!" Eleanor screamed.
Julian didn't think. He charged. With all the rage that had been building inside him for years, he hurled the heavy crystal paperweight directly at Graves's face.
The crystal struck Graves perfectly on the bridge of his nose with a sickening crack. Graves roared in pain, dropping Clara and stumbling backward, his hands flying to his bleeding face.
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Clara fell to the roof, gasping for air.
Arthur’s face twisted in pure rage. He raised his gun, pointing it directly at his own son. "You ungrateful little brat."
