Chapter 5 - The Desperate Strike
Arthur let out a sharp cry of agony, his grip on Sophia loosening as he hopped backward on one foot. The heavy revolver slipped from his fingers, clattering loudly against the hardwood floor.
“Run, Sophia!” Julian bellowed, lunging forward with explosive speed.
He slammed his shoulder against the glass storm door, shattering the pane into a thousand glittering shards that rained across the porch. But before Julian could cross the threshold to snatch his daughter, Eleanor moved with terrifying speed. She snatched the heavy brass figurine from the table and hurled it directly at Sophia’s head.
Julian watched in slow motion as the metal object spun through the air. Sophia ducked instinctively, but the heavy figurine clipped her shoulder, sending her crashing hard against the drywall. She let out a sharp gasp, sliding to the floor in a daze.
“Sophia!” Julian screamed, vaulting over the broken glass regardless of the sharp edges slicing through his trousers and scraping his legs.
Arthur recovered his balance faster than expected. Ignoring his injured arm wrapped in the white bandage, he lunged across the room, scooping up the fallen revolver and leveling it squarely at Julian’s chest. The metallic click of the hammer cocking back echoed like thunder in the confined hallway.
“One more step and I blow a hole right through your expensive tuxedo,” Arthur growled, spittle flying from his lips, his face twisted in a mask of manic adrenaline.
Eleanor smoothed the maroon velvet of her jacket, her breathing heavy but her eyes gleaming with triumphant malice. She walked over, casually picking up the encrypted silver cufflink case that had fallen from Julian’s wrist during the scuffle.
“Thank you for making this so easy, darling,” Eleanor whispered, popping the clasp open with a triumphant smile.
Julian stood frozen, his hands raised, his heart breaking as he watched Sophia struggle to sit up against the wall, clutching her bruised shoulder.
“You won’t get away with this, Eleanor,” Julian said through gritted teeth, his eyes fixed on the open cufflink case in her hand.
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“Watch me,” Eleanor replied, pulling out the micro-SD card and holding it up to the light—only to gasp as she realized the chip slot was completely empty.
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