Chapter 8 - Confrontation at the Pier
Marcus gasped in shock and pain, his grip loosening as he reeled backward. Arthur seized the microsecond of opportunity, diving forward through the shattered glass doors and ripping Ethan out of the traitor's grasp, pulling his son safely into the room.
Marcus stumbled over the icy railing, losing his balance, but managed to catch himself on the lower roof beam. Bleeding and desperate, he scrambled down the drainpipe into the snow-covered forest below, running toward a waiting black SUV parked near the estate perimeter.
"Lily! Ethan!" Arthur roared, holding both children close to his chest in a tight, breathless embrace. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine!" Ethan sobbed, clinging to his father. "Dad, Marcus has the drive! The drive with all the corporate evidence!"
"He's heading for the river pier," Lily said quickly, wiping snow from her eyelashes. "I heard him on his radio before you came. Victoria is waiting for him at the private dock to get him out of the country!"
Arthur’s eyes turned to cold, polished steel. He stood up, looking down at Lily with a mix of awe and profound gratitude. "Not tonight. Not on my watch."
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Ten minutes later, three heavy armored SUVs roared out of the Vance estate gates, cutting through the blinding blizzard toward the Hudson River pier. Arthur sat in the lead vehicle, flanked by his elite, loyal security team—and against all orders, Lily and Ethan were in the back seat, refusing to be left behind.
"This ends tonight," Arthur said, checking his radio. "For Ethan, and for your father, Lily."
