Chapter 1: The Woman Who Chose Courage
Victor never answered immediately.
His icy blue eyes remained fixed on Emily's trembling face while the foyer fell into absolute silence.
The rain outside beat steadily against the towering windows.
Finally, he spoke.
"Dominic."
One of the guards stepped forward.
"Check the garage."
"No one touches the vehicle."
"Seal every exit."
Within seconds, armed men rushed through the mansion.
Marcus Reed stood perfectly still.
Too perfectly.
Victor noticed.
Most innocent men asked questions.
Marcus didn't.
Instead, he quietly reached for his phone.
Victor's voice stopped him.
"Leave it."
Marcus slowly looked up.
Their eyes met.
For the first time in eight years...
Victor saw fear.
Not concern.
Fear.
Meanwhile, two bomb technicians slid beneath the armored SUV.
The mansion waited in suffocating silence.
Three minutes later—
One technician crawled backward so quickly he slammed into the garage wall.
His face had turned completely white.
"Nobody move!"
His voice echoed through the building.
"There really is a bomb."
Every guard instinctively drew his weapon.
Marcus took one step backward.
Victor calmly smiled.
A dangerous smile.
"You disappoint me."
Marcus suddenly pulled a concealed pistol from inside his jacket.
Gunfire exploded through the garage.
Guards tackled him before he could fire a second shot.
But one bullet ricocheted off a steel pillar.
Emily had barely turned her head when the fragment tore across her side.
She collapsed onto the concrete.
Victor caught her before she hit the floor.
Blood spread across her gray uniform.
She looked up at him weakly.
May you like
"I... told you..."
Then her eyes closed.
