Chapter 6 - The Lockdown
Julian stared at the small screen of Elara's phone, his mind completely refusing to accept reality.
The flashing text on her device confirmed that the massive crypto fortune was now permanently locked away in the digital void.
"You lying witch, you would never burn your own money!" Julian screamed, his voice cracking with heavy desperation.
Elara smiled faintly, putting the phone back into her pocket with a graceful motion.
"It was not my money, it was stolen money, and now nobody gets to enjoy it," Elara stated coldly.
Julian’s grip on Camilla tightened violently, causing the older woman to gasp for air.
"I am going to kill her, and then I am going to kill you," Julian threatened, his finger trembling dangerously on the trigger.
Suddenly, a loud, metallic grinding noise echoed through the massive ballroom.
Heavy, steel security shutters began rapidly descending over the giant glass windows overlooking the city.
The main double doors locked with a heavy, magnetic thud that sounded incredibly final.
Vance had quietly initiated the hotel's extreme lockdown protocol.
"You are not going anywhere, Julian, the building is completely sealed," Vance announced, his weapon still aimed perfectly.
Richard, seeing his chance to escape the chaos, began crawling frantically toward the kitchen service doors.
He did not care about his company, his new wife, or his daughter; he only wanted to save himself.
One of Vance’s men easily stepped on Richard’s hand, pinning the pathetic man to the floor.
"Stay down, old man," the security contractor growled heavily.
Julian was hyperventilating, realizing that his grand master plan had completely collapsed around him.
He began dragging Camilla backward toward the stage, trying to find a better defensive position.
"Stay back, I will shoot her, I swear to God!" Julian kept repeating like a broken record.
Elara simply watched him retreat, her eyes tracking a tiny, almost invisible detail on the ceiling.
A small, red laser dot suddenly appeared perfectly centered on Julian's white tuxedo shirt.
Julian did not notice the laser, entirely focused on Vance and Elara in front of him.
"You think you have won, Elara, but I will make you suffer!" Julian roared angrily.
Elara tilted her head slightly, looking at him with absolute, unfiltered pity.
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"You should really look down, Julian," Elara advised him quietly.
Julian frowned in confusion, lowering his eyes just as the red dot settled perfectly over his heart.
