Chapter 7
Chapter 7: The Confrontation
Chloe stood at the top of the stairs, her heart pounding violently against her ribs. She looked down at Alexander, who was bleeding from a cut on his temple, his amber eyes blazing with silent fury as he tried to break free from his captors.
"Let him go, Julian," Chloe said, her voice surprisingly cold and steady as she walked down the stairs, step by step, keeping Ethan shielded behind her arms.
"Ah, the loving wife returns," Julian mocked, stepping toward the foot of the staircase. He reached out his gloved hand toward the baby. "Give me the boy, Chloe. Sign the Zurich waiver, and I’ll let you and your mother’s old boyfriend live out the rest of your days in some third-world village. Refuse, and my men will clear this room, and I’ll tell the world Alexander Vance killed you before committing suicide."
Chloe stopped three steps above him. She looked into the eyes of the man she had once loved, searching for a single trace of humanity, but found only the hollow, glinting greed of the Sterling bloodline.
"You really don't get it, do you, Julian?" Chloe said softly. She pulled her phone from her pocket and tapped the screen once, activating a live broadcast link.
Julian’s brow furrowed. "What are you doing?"
"This entire compound is wired with independent satellite streaming," Chloe explained, a dangerous smile touching her lips. "The moment your SUVs crossed the perimeter, a live feed of this room was broadcast to every major news outlet in the world, including the Swiss High Court and the New York District Attorney's office. Right now, three million people are watching you hold a gun to a federal witness's head."
Julian’s face drained of color. His personal phone in his pocket began to ring frantically. He pulled it out, his hand shaking as he saw the caller ID: Mother.
May you like
He answered it, pressing it to his ear. Victoria’s voice screamed through the speaker, loud enough for everyone in the ruined living room to hear.
"Julian, you idiot! Pull back now! The FBI has just issued a warrant for your arrest! They have the original corporate espionage files—Alexander leaked the encryption keys! They know we framed her! Get out of there!"
