Chapter 10 - The Heir
Mathis pivoted instantly, firing a single shot that shattered Nicolas's knee.
His brother collapsed to the floor in a screaming heap, dropping the bloody knife.
Mathis immediately fired twice at the massive glass window behind his father's desk.
The reinforced glass shattered, triggering the building's automated lockdown and emergency alarm system.
Outside, the wail of police sirens grew deafening as the authorities, tracked by Mathis's GPS, swarmed the plaza.
Arthur Varenne dropped his cane and raised his hands, finally realizing his twisted game was over.
The boardroom doors were kicked open by heavily armed tactical police units.
Mathis lowered his weapon and wrapped his arms tightly around his trembling wife.
Three months later, the sun shone brightly over a beautiful stone cottage in the countryside of Provence.
Mathis sat on the wooden porch, rocking a wooden cradle with his foot.
Elise walked out, carrying a tray of fresh lemonade, looking healthier and happier than ever before.
The Varenne empire had been completely dismantled by the government, and Nicolas and Arthur were securely locked away in federal prison.
They had finally found the peace they had fought so hard to secure.
Elise smiled down at their beautiful, healthy baby girl sleeping peacefully in the shade.
As Mathis went inside to grab a light blanket, Elise's new, highly encrypted phone vibrated on the table.
She opened a text message from an unknown international number.
May you like
Attached was a high-resolution photograph of their baby sleeping in the cradle, taken from the garden bushes just seconds ago.
The text below it read: "She has her grandfather's eyes, see you soon."
