Chapter 4 - The Subterranean Trap
Julian smiled, an expression that perfectly resembled a predator playing with its terrified food.
He calmly instructed Sarah to press the button for the sub-basement instead of the parking garage.
Sarah’s entire body trembled violently, but she slowly reached out and pressed the glowing red button at the bottom of the panel.
The service elevator began a long, agonizing descent into the dark bowels of the hospital.
Julian casually lowered his pistol, sliding it smoothly back into his expensive suit jacket as if nothing had happened.
He looked at Claire, his eyes trailing down to her bloody hospital gown and bare, shivering legs.
He told her that he absolutely despised his mother and everything she stood for in their corrupt family.
Claire did not say a word, pressing her back flat against the cold metal wall of the descending elevator.
Julian offered her an incredibly simple, yet highly illegal proposition.
He explained that the twins were the first natural-born heirs to the massive Vale family trust.
If Claire officially legally recognized Julian as the children's permanent guardian, he would ensure she got full visitation rights.
He promised to publicly destroy their mother, Victoria, and permanently remove Adrian from the family business.
The elevator finally ground to a harsh halt, and the heavy doors opened to reveal a damp, concrete hallway.
Julian grabbed Claire by the wrist and yanked her roughly out of the elevator, leaving a sobbing Sarah behind.
He dragged Claire down the dark corridor, the air smelling strongly of industrial bleach and stagnant water.
They stopped in front of a heavy, reinforced steel door equipped with a glowing biometric keypad.
Julian pressed his thumb against the scanner, and the heavy door hissed open with a pneumatic sigh.
He shoved Claire into the dimly lit room, locking the steel door firmly behind them.
The room was completely bare except for a single metal chair bolted directly to the center of the concrete floor.
A single, harsh overhead light illuminated the horrifying scene in the middle of the room.
Adrian was sitting in the metal chair, his hands firmly secured behind his back with thick plastic zip-ties.
His handsome face was heavily bruised, and a steady stream of dark blood dripped from a nasty cut above his left eye.
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Julian walked over to his injured brother and casually kicked him in the ribs with his expensive leather shoe.
He laughed loudly, proudly announcing to Claire that Adrian had figured out the truth about the fake check much too quickly.
