Chapter 9 - The Mother's Confession
Arthur stood blocking the only path to the surface.
His expensive suit was covered in gray dust, but his eyes were blazing with a manic, murderous intent.
"It really is hard to get good help these days," Arthur sneered, stepping over a fallen rock.
Eleanor pushed both of her sons behind her, shielding them with her own body.
"Arthur, please," she begged, tears cutting paths through the dirt on her face.
"Kill me, but let the boys go."
"They have done nothing to you."
Arthur laughed, raising the heavy rifle and pointing it at Eleanor's heart.
"They are breathing reminders of your betrayal, Eleanor."
"Every time I look at them, I see Marcus Vance."
Leo clutched his bleeding shoulder, leaning heavily against the tunnel wall.
He looked at the woman willing to take a bullet for a son she had only known for a few hours.
"Why didn't you look for me, Mom?" Leo asked, his voice echoing in the deadly silence.
Eleanor didn't take her eyes off Arthur's gun.
"Because Marcus told me if I ever tried to find you, he would kill Julian."
Julian gasped, realizing the terrible burden his mother had carried his entire life.
"You chose to let me live a lie to protect both of us," Julian whispered.
Eleanor nodded, a single tear falling from her chin.
"I thought it was the only way."
Arthur rolled his eyes, clearly bored by the family drama.
"How touching."
"Now say your goodbyes."
Arthur's finger tightened on the trigger.
But before the gun could fire, a sharp, metallic sound pierced the darkness behind Arthur.
A red laser dot suddenly appeared on the back of Arthur's head.
"Drop the weapon, Mr. Sterling!" a booming voice echoed through a megaphone.
Arthur froze in terror.
The dark tunnel behind him suddenly erupted with the blinding glare of police tactical lights.
Julian pulled up his sleeve, revealing a battered smartwatch.
May you like
"I activated the emergency SOS beacon while I was tied to the chair, Dad," Julian said coldly.
Arthur slowly lowered the rifle, realizing his empire had finally fallen.
