Chapter 9
The bright beam of Marcus’s industrial flashlight cut through the dim red glow of the vault, blinding Elena momentarily. She threw her hand up to shield her eyes, her back pressed against the cold steel desk as the progress bar on the laptop slowly ticked upward: 35% complete.
Marcus stepped into the vault, followed by two other security guards in dark suits. His expression was cold, devoid of any hesitation. He looked at the laptop screen, then down at Elena, who stood defiant despite her shaking knees.
“End of the line, Elena,” Marcus said, taking a slow step forward. “Mr. Vance gave strict orders. If you interfered with the archives, you were to be detained permanently.”
“You’re working for a criminal, Marcus,” Elena said, her voice steady and sharp. “Look at the files on that screen. He’s bankrupting his own family to cover his tracks. When the board finds out, you’re going down right along with him.”
Marcus paused for a fraction of a second, his eyes flickering toward the glowing screen, but he quickly hardened his expression again. “I follow orders, Mrs. Vance. Not corporate audits.”
He lunged forward, grabbing Elena by the wrist and wrenching her away from the desk. Elena cried out in pain as the metal edge of the desk bruised her hip. She struggled against his massive grip, kicking out with her heel, but it was like hitting a brick wall.
“Let me go!” Elena screamed, fighting with every ounce of strength she had left.
The progress bar on the laptop blinked: 78% complete.
“Disconnect that drive,” Marcus ordered the guard standing nearest the desk.
The guard stepped forward, reaching out a heavy hand toward the USB port just as the screen flashed: 95% complete.
Suddenly, the heavy steel door of the vault swung fully open, crashing against the stone wall with a thunderous bang. Standing in the doorway, framed by the harsh white light of the hallway, was Eleanor Vance. Her white hair was slightly disheveled, but her posture was rigid and commanding. In her hands, she held a heavy iron fireplace poker.
“Step away from her, Marcus,” Eleanor commanded, her voice ringing with absolute authority.
Marcus froze, turning his head in shock to look at the matriarch. “Mrs. Vance? What is the meaning of this?”
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Eleanor raised the iron poker, her eyes blazing with a fury Elena had never expected to see. “It means your employment with this family is officially terminated.”
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