Chapter 9 - The Phoenix on the Lake
I dropped the lighter onto the pedestal.
WHOOSH!
A violent pillar of orange fire erupted into the air. The ancient leather cover blistered and blackened, the century-old pages catching fire instantly. Outside the door, Arthur let out a horrific, guttural scream.
"BREACH THE DOOR!" he shrieked. "SAVE THE BOOK!"
BOOM!
A breaching charge blew the oak door inward. Two guards rushed inside with fire extinguishers, but the pedestal was already a raging inferno. The heavy iron chains melted and snapped, sending the charred remains of the 1888 Charter collapsing into gray ash.
Arthur stumbled into the room, staring at the pile of ash in pathetic disbelief. "You... you destroyed three generations of work..."
"I saved my children," I replied coldly.
Suddenly, the loud, rhythmic thrumming of heavy helicopter blades echoed overhead. A searchlight swept through the high windows.
"THIS IS THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AND THE FBI! STAND DOWN IMMEDIATELY!"
Arthur froze in horror. Through the shattered door stepped Ryan—bruised and battered, holding a satellite phone alongside two armed federal agents.
"Ryan?" I breathed.
May you like
Ryan threw his arms around me, Leo, and the baby, weeping silently. "I'm sorry, Maya. I realized Dad didn't die running—he died fighting. Melissa and I went straight to the State Attorney General with Dad’s hidden files and hospital footage. The FBI just needed proof of kidnapping to breach the island."
He turned to our grandfather, who was being forced to his knees in handcuffs. "It's over, Arthur. The Sterling Trust is dead."
