Chapter 8 - The Ransom of Blood
I screamed so loudly my throat tore, rushing frantically toward the bedroom door. Adrian grabbed my waist, pulling me back with a terrifyingly calm strength. "Do not go in there, Chloe," he ordered, his eyes locked on the television screen. The camera panned up to reveal the masked man holding the knife to Mia's throat. It was not Marcus, and it was certainly not David. A distorted voice echoed through the living room speakers, dripping with absolute malice. "Hello, Adrian," the mechanical voice taunted from the broadcast. "Did you honestly think Victoria was the only one who wanted your empire?" The masked man demanded that Adrian immediately sign over all his corporate shares to an anonymous offshore trust. If the transfer was not completed in exactly three minutes, Mia would be killed on the live feed. I sobbed hysterically, dropping to my knees and begging the screen for mercy. Adrian did not hesitate for a single fraction of a second. He grabbed his secure laptop, bypassed his own biometric locks, and initiated the total transfer of his wealth. "Adrian, you are giving away your entire life's work," I cried, completely stunned by his immediate sacrifice. "My empire means absolutely nothing if I cannot protect the people I love," he replied fiercely. He hit the final confirmation key, transferring billions of dollars into the anonymous account. "The money is gone," Adrian announced to the screen. "Now step away from the child." The masked man chuckled darkly, the sound echoing through the quiet penthouse. "Thank you for the generous donation, Mr. Kane," the distorted voice mocked. The man raised the knife high into the air, preparing to strike Mia anyway. I closed my eyes, completely unable to watch the murder of my precious daughter. A massive, deafening explosion shook the entire penthouse foundation. The television screen instantly shattered into a thousand sparks, cutting the feed completely dead.
