Chapter 10 - The False Victory
Ethan's blood ran entirely cold as he listened to Vivian's threat.
He agreed to meet Vivian at an abandoned shipping yard at dawn to trade the ledger for his sister.
But Ethan Hale did not negotiate with terrorists.
He contacted his few remaining loyal operatives and orchestrated a brilliant, ruthless trap.
When Vivian arrived at the docks with her armed guards, the FBI was already waiting in the shipping containers.
A massive firefight broke out, but Ethan's tactical planning was flawless.
His operatives rescued his younger sister without a single casualty.
The FBI arrested Vivian Ashford, dragging her away in handcuffs while she screamed Ethan's name.
The nightmare that had haunted Claire for twenty years was finally over.
Ethan brought Claire back to the penthouse, pouring them both a glass of celebratory champagne.
Claire took a long, hot shower, washing away the dirt, the fear, and the ghosts of her past.
She walked out into the bedroom wearing one of Ethan's soft silk shirts, feeling truly free for the first time in her life.
She walked over to Ethan's desk to leave him a note of profound gratitude.
As she picked up a pen, she noticed a legal document sticking out from beneath a folder.
It was a medical transfer form bearing the Ashford estate letterhead, dated a full week before Ethan's helicopter supposedly crashed.
Claire read the terrifying words confirming Ethan had quietly purchased the estate days ago.
He had known exactly who she was, exactly where she was hidden, and exactly how to orchestrate a fake rescue to make her trust him.
He needed her willing signature to legally steal the company her parents had founded.
The heavy bedroom door suddenly clicked, the electronic lock engaging from the inside.
Claire slowly turned around to face the shadows near the doorway.
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Ethan stepped into the light, twirling a long, metal spoon between his fingers.
"Did you really think I was going to let you take my company, Claire?" he smiled coldly.
