Chapter 17: The Last Heir
Damian arrived at the old Voss estate just before dawn.
He had brought Ethan, Arthur, and a small team of men he still trusted.
Marcus was nowhere to be found.
Neither was Vivian.
The betrayal had left too many holes in Damian's security network to risk a conventional assault.
Arthur studied the estate from the wooded ridge.
"There's a service entrance beneath the east wing.""
Damian looked at him.
"How do you know?""
"I built it with Rose.""
"Then you know how to get us inside.""
Arthur nodded.
Ethan checked his weapon.
"Let's move.""
They descended through the trees.
At the entrance, Arthur entered a six-digit code.
The door opened.
Damian looked at him.
"You remember the code after twenty years?""
Arthur gave a faint smile.
"Your mother chose it.""
"What is it?""
"Your birthday.""
Damian said nothing.
They entered a narrow corridor.
The air smelled of damp stone and old wood.
At the end, a staircase led into the house.
They emerged behind a wall panel in the library.
Voices came from the drawing room.
Alexander.
Adrian.
And Sofia.
Damian moved toward the door.
Arthur caught his arm.
"Wait.""
Damian looked at him.
"She's in there.""
"I know. But Alexander has armed men around the room.""
"Then we take them.""
Arthur shook his head.
"There's another way.""
He pointed toward a small brass switch hidden beneath the bookshelf.
"Rose installed an emergency alarm system. If I activate it, every security door in the house will lock.""
"How does that help?""
"It separates the guards from Alexander.""
Ethan looked at the switch.
"Do it.""
Arthur pressed it.
A low mechanical sound echoed through the house.
Then alarms began to ring.
In the drawing room, Adrian turned toward the hallway.
"What was that?""
Alexander stood.
"Someone is inside.""
A guard rushed in.
"Sir, the security doors have locked. We're cut off from the east wing.""
Alexander's face darkened.
"Find the intruders.""
Adrian looked toward Sofia.
"You knew they were coming.""
She didn't answer.
Alexander approached her.
"Your brother has always been predictable.""
Sofia stared at him.
"Which brother?""
Alexander paused.
For the first time, he looked uncertain.
Sofia smiled.
"That's the problem, isn't it? You have spent your entire life making children compete for a place in your family. You don't even know which one of us you actually love.""
Alexander's hand tightened around her arm.
"I don't need love.""
"Then why are you so afraid of losing us?""
He released her.
Adrian watched them.
"Father, we need to leave.""
Alexander turned.
"You're not my father.""
Adrian's face changed.
"What?""
Alexander looked at him with contempt.
"You were useful. That's all.""
Adrian stepped backward.
"You promised me the empire.""
"I promised you a chance to earn it.""
Sofia looked between them.
"Adrian, he never intended to give you anything.""
Adrian pointed his gun at her.
"Be quiet.""
Alexander took a step toward the door.
Then it opened.
Damian stood in the doorway.
His weapon was raised.
"Let her go.""
Alexander smiled.
"There's my son.""
Damian looked at Sofia.
She was pale, but standing.
"Come here.""
Alexander pulled a gun from his jacket and pressed it against Margaret's chest.
"Not another step.""
Damian stopped.
Ethan appeared behind him.
"Put it down, Alexander.""
Alexander laughed.
"Both my boys. Together again.""
Arthur stepped into view.
The smile vanished from Alexander's face.
"You.""
Arthur looked at him.
"Hello, brother.""
Alexander's gun shifted.
"You should have stayed dead.""
Arthur shrugged.
"You should have stayed buried.""
The two men stared at each other.
Then Alexander looked at Damian.
"Do you know what your real father did to this family?""
Damian didn't answer.
"He betrayed me. He betrayed Margaret. He betrayed his own children.""
Arthur stepped forward.
"I loved Margaret.""
"You wanted her fortune.""
"I wanted her.""
"And you wanted the child.""
Arthur's expression hardened.
"Yes.""
Alexander smiled.
"Tell them what you did after Damian was born.""
Arthur looked at Damian.
"I made a mistake.""
Alexander laughed.
"You gave me your son because you were afraid I would expose you.""
Arthur closed his eyes.
"Yes.""
Damian felt the words strike harder than any bullet.
"You gave me away?""
Arthur looked at him.
"I thought Alexander would protect you.""
"Why?""
"Because Margaret begged me to.""
Damian shook his head.
"You both made decisions about my life without asking me.""
Arthur nodded.
"I know.""
Sofia moved toward Damian.
Alexander raised his weapon.
"Stay where you are!""
Adrian suddenly turned his gun toward Alexander.
"Enough.""
Everyone froze.
Alexander stared at him.
"Put that down.""
Adrian's hand trembled.
"You said I was your heir.""
"You were.""
"You said you chose me.""
"I chose whoever was useful.""
Adrian's eyes filled.
For a moment, he looked like the frightened boy he had once been.
Then he lowered the weapon.
Sofia stepped forward.
"Adrian, don't.""
He looked at her.
"You don't understand.""
"Then tell me.""
Adrian shook his head.
"I spent fifteen years believing my brothers left me to die.""
Damian lowered his gun slightly.
"I didn't know you were alive.""
"That's what they all say.""
"I searched for you.""
Adrian laughed bitterly.
"Too late.""
Alexander seized the opportunity.
He turned his weapon toward Damian.
A gunshot cracked.
Alexander staggered.
Margaret had grabbed a small pistol from the table.
Her hand shook, but her aim was steady.
The bullet had struck Alexander's shoulder.
Damian rushed forward and pulled Margaret away.
Ethan disarmed Alexander.
Adrian dropped his weapon.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then the house's main doors burst open.
Marcus entered with armed men.
Damian raised his gun.
"Stop!""
Marcus froze.
His face was pale.
"Boss.""
Damian stared at him.
"You betrayed me.""
Marcus swallowed.
"They had my son.""
"And you delivered Sofia.""
"I thought I could get him back.""
"You don't get to make that choice for me.""
Marcus lowered his head.
Then he held out his phone.
"Lucas is safe.""
Damian didn't move.
"Where?""
"At the hospital. I got him out last night.""
"Why come here?""
Marcus looked toward Alexander.
"Because there's something you need to know. Alexander wasn't the one who ordered the explosion at the chapel.""
Damian frowned.
"Who did?""
Marcus looked at Adrian.
Adrian's face went white.
Then Marcus answered.
"Arthur.""
Damian turned.
Arthur didn't deny it.
"I had to keep you away from Alexander long enough to expose him.""
Ethan raised his weapon.
"You nearly killed us.""
Arthur looked at Damian.
"I was trying to save you.""
Damian's voice was cold.
"Everyone in this family has an excuse.""
He looked toward Sofia.
"Let's get out of here.""
But before they could move, Alexander began laughing.
Blood ran down his shirt.
He looked at Damian.
"You think this is over?""
Damian said nothing.
Alexander smiled.
"Ask your mother who really gave birth to you.""
May you like
Margaret went pale.
And from somewhere upstairs, a child began crying.
