Chapter 9 - The Antidote & The TrapJulian looked at Maria. For three seconds, time seemed to freeze. He saw the genuine agony in her eyes, the shame, and the deep, unspoken devotion she had shown him and baby Leo over the past years.

"You were sent by him," Julian said softly. "But whose side are you on now, Maria?"

Maria’s eyes hardened. Tears spilled down her cheeks, but her hand suddenly became rock steady. She didn't turn the gun on Julian. She pointed it directly at Countess Sophia's head.

"I belong to the man who treats human beings with honor," Maria declared, her voice ringing like pure steel. "I belong to the baby I swore to protect with my life."

Before Alexander could react, Maria fired two shots into the ceiling light fixtures. Darkness engulfed the VIP room.

Julian didn't hesitate. He slammed Alexander’s arm into the wall, catching the dropping glass vial in mid-air with his left hand. Alexander screamed in rage, pulling a hidden trench knife and lunging at Julian.

The two brothers collided in a brutal, bloody brawl. Alexander slashed wildly, cutting Julian’s forearm, but Julian was a cold machine. He blocked a strike, grabbed Alexander’s elbow, and snapped it backward with a terrifying crack. He then delivered a brutal knee to Alexander’s ribs, sending his scarred brother crashing through the glass coffee table.

"Maria! Catch!" Julian yelled, tossing the blue vial across the dark room.

Maria caught the vial delicately in her palm, instantly securing it in an armored case attached to her belt.

Countess Sophia tried to crawl toward the balcony door, but Maria cut her off, driving a sharp boot heel into her back, pinning her to the floor.

"We have the antidote!" Maria called out. "Julian, we have to go! Leo has seventy minutes!"

Alexander lay amidst the broken glass, spitting blood, laughing maniacally. "You took the bait, Julian! Check the news... while you were playing hero in Monaco, my men breached your underground safehouse!"

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Julian’s blood ran cold. "What did you say?"

"The safehouse was a decoy for you," Alexander chuckled through his bloodied teeth. "My real team... is taking your son right now."