Chapter 9 - The Trap Closes
Julian dropped the heavy metal briefcase onto the carpet, his eyes shifting frantically between the gun in Audrey’s hands and his bleeding mother.
Audrey didn't flinch, keeping the barrel aimed perfectly steady as she backed slowly toward the glass wall of the office.
“Don’t take another step, Julian,” Audrey warned, her voice radiating absolute, deadly authority.
Julian raised his hands defensively, trying desperately to switch back to his charming, manipulative persona.
He begged Audrey to put the gun down, claiming they could still walk away with millions and start a family together.
Audrey let out a harsh, bitter laugh that echoed through the tense room.
She looked Julian dead in the eyes and told him there was absolutely no baby.
She revealed she had faked the entire pregnancy just to keep him close enough to uncover his pathetic, greedy little plan.
The charming mask completely melted off Julian’s face, replaced by a twisted mask of pure, unfiltered hatred.
He realized he had played right into her hands from the very beginning.
Lenora whimpered in pain at the desk, clutching her bleeding hand and screaming at Julian to do something.
Julian slowly began reaching toward his waistband, his eyes locking onto Audrey’s in a deadly game of chicken.
He bet his life that the rich, spoiled heiress didn't actually have the courage to pull the trigger.
“You won’t shoot me, Audrey,” Julian sneered, his fingers wrapping around the grip of a hidden weapon.
Audrey smiled a cold, terrifying smile that looked exactly like her ruthless father’s.
“I don’t have to shoot you,” Audrey said calmly.
She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out the burner phone, hitting a single button on the screen.
The heavy glass doors of the office suddenly exploded inward in a shower of shattered glass.
A dozen heavily armed SWAT officers swarmed into the room, their assault rifles equipped with blinding tactical lights.
The private investigator Audrey had hired hadn't just been taking photographs.
He was a retired FBI agent who had immediately taken the evidence of the billion-dollar fraud to the federal authorities.
The entire confrontation in the office had been live-streamed directly to a command van parked right outside the building.
Officers tackled Julian to the ground before he could even draw his weapon, pinning him fiercely to the carpet.
Two more officers secured Lenora, pulling her roughly away from the desk and slapping heavy steel handcuffs onto her bleeding wrists.
Mr. Sterling was dragged out of the back room, looking pale and completely terrified as his legal career instantly evaporated.
Audrey carefully lowered the gun, placed it safely on a side table, and raised her hands to show she was no longer a threat.
The lead detective walked over, nodding respectfully to Audrey as he confirmed the area was fully secure.
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Julian thrashed violently against the officers, screaming vicious curses at Audrey as he was dragged toward the elevators.
Audrey watched them take her enemies away, feeling a massive, overwhelming sense of absolute victory.
