Chapter 13 - The Poisoned HeirloomA thunderstorm was gathering over the hills of Westchester County as Victor’s armored sedan tore up the winding driveway of the newly renovated Sterling Estate.
The grand manor had been rebuilt—not as a dark golden cage, but as a bright, modern glass sanctuary. Yet tonight, the perimeter lights were dead, plunging the estate grounds into heavy shadows.
Victor drew his sidearm, moving with quiet, practiced speed as he stepped through the front entrance, Mia following closely behind with a heavy flashlight.
The grand foyer was dead silent.
"Elena!" Mia called out nervously, her voice echoing off the high ceilings. "Elena, where are you?!"
A quiet groan came from the study.
Victor and Mia rushed into the room to find Dr. Elena Vance sitting on the floor beside the mahogany desk, holding a wet cloth to a bleeding gash on her temple.
"Elena!" Mia dropped to her knees, supporting her. "Where is Tommy?!"
"It was... it was Knox..." Elena gasped out, her eyes unfocused. "Julian’s former chief mercenary... he broke out of detention yesterday... he brought a woman with him..."
"What woman?" Victor demanded, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Before Elena could answer, a high-pitched, manic laugh echoed down from the grand balcony above the foyer.
Mia and Victor whirled around, stepping back into the center of the foyer.
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Standing at the top of the marble staircase, wearing a torn yellow velvet gown, was Evelyn Sterling. She looked ghostly, thin, her eyes completely consumed by madness. Standing behind her was Knox, holding a heavy suppressed assault rifle—and in Evelyn’s arms sat eight-month-old Tommy, looking confused and frightened.
"Hello, my darling daughter-in-law," Evelyn sneered down at Mia, her voice raspy and cruel. "Did you really think a federal prison could hold the Queen of Sterling Manor?"
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