Chapter 9 - I BEGIN TO FIGHT BACK
Sarah drove fast but carefully, taking back streets toward the bank. Every jolt sent pain shooting up my legs, but I bit my lip and stayed quiet. I would not let weakness stop me. Not now.
“He will have people watching the bank,” Sarah said, gripping the steering wheel. “Or he will be waiting himself. If we walk in… we walk directly into his view.”
“Then we do not walk in through the front,” I said. “The bank has a service entrance. Loading dock. It stays open early on Thursdays for cash deliveries. Eleanor mentioned it. We go in that way. Reach the safety deposit area before anyone knows we are inside.”
Sarah gave me a sharp look. “You planned this already.”
“I prepared,” I said simply. “Just as he prepared for years. I refuse to be the only one walking in blind.”
We parked two blocks away and walked slowly to the loading dock. My legs burned with every step, my balance shifting unsteadily, but Sarah stayed close, her arm firm around mine. A quick word with the foreman—Sarah showed him a badge she kept for exactly such emergencies—and we were inside, moving along quiet corridors toward the basement vaults.
No alarms. No guards. Not yet.
At the entrance to the safety deposit wing, Sarah paused. “If this is truly a trap… Gareth will be standing right beside Box 714.”
“Then I will look him in the eye,” I said. “And finally ask why he destroyed so many lives.”
We moved forward. The corridor stretched long and silent, lined with metal doors. At the far end, standing motionless beside Box 714, was a man.
Middle-aged. Broad-shouldered. Scar slashing through his left eyebrow. His head turned as we approached. A slow, cold smile spread across his face.
“Brave,” Gareth said, his voice deep and rough. “Or foolish. Julian told me you were still bedridden. He lied. And now… you both walked right to me.”
Sarah stepped in front of me. “Step away from the box. We have legal authority—”
“Authority?” Gareth laughed, a harsh barking sound. “You have nothing but my invitation. I expected Sarah. I expected some desperate scheme. But you, Genevieve… I did not expect you. Julian warned me to be careful of you. I should have listened.”
“Where is Julian?” I asked, my voice steady despite the pain throbbing through every part of me.
“Waiting,” Gareth said, his smile fading. “Wondering whether to betray me completely or finally choose which side he belongs on. Weak. Just like his mother. But you… you are stronger than I anticipated. That makes you dangerous.”
He reached into his coat. My heart lurched—but he pulled out not a weapon, but a key. Identical to the one in Sarah’s hand. He held it up, turning it in the light.
“You came to open my box. To steal my records. To ruin me. Tell me, Genevieve… do you truly believe I keep my most dangerous secrets inside a metal box anyone can break into?”
He tossed the key aside. It skittered across the floor and vanished into shadow.
“Everything inside that box is useless,” he said. “Forgeries planted specifically for you to find. I knew Eleanor would break. I knew she would give you my schedule, my location, my ‘secrets.’ Everything you think you know… is exactly what I want you to think.”
The blood drained from Sarah’s face. “We leave. Now.”
She turned—but two large men stepped from the shadows behind us, blocking our exit. Gareth took a step forward.
“You walked into my vault, Genevieve. No cameras. No witnesses. A tragic accident in the basement… how convenient. Your company passes to Julian. Hazel becomes my ward. Everything finally falls into place.”
“You will not get away with this,” I said.
“I already have,” Gareth said softly. “Every step of the way. Your father thought he defeated me by sending me away. But he only delayed me. I waited. I planned. And now… his empire is mine.”
He signaled the men. They stepped closer. Sarah reached into her coat—but Gareth moved faster, striking her arm hard. She gasped, the small weapon she carried clattering to the floor.
And then—chaos.
“STOP!”
Julian stood at the corridor entrance, chest heaving, a security guard beside him holding a raised radio. Gareth froze.
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“Julian,” Gareth warned, his voice low. “Step aside. Or do you remember what happens when you disobey me?”
“I remember everything,” Julian said, his voice trembling but loud. “And I am done being afraid of you.”
