Chapter 6: Into the Lion's Den**
The Sterling Manor was a sprawling neoclassical mansion guarded by private security contractors armed with submachine guns. Black-tie guests sipped vintage champagne beneath crystal chandeliers, completely oblivious to the corruption that funded their lavish evening.
Julian slipped through the service entrance using a biometric security badge cloned from the lead hitman’s vehicle. He blended seamlessly into the crowd, his commanding presence allowing him to bypass routine checks.
Marcus Sterling stood near the grand marble staircase, surrounded by sycophantic donors and foreign diplomats. When his eyes caught Julian standing near the terrace doors, his smug smile faltered for a fraction of a second.
"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen," Sterling announced smoothly, signaling two armed bodyguards with a subtle nod. "An old colleague has arrived."
Sterling stepped into a private, soundproof study adjoining the ballroom. Julian followed, letting the heavy doors close behind him.
"You're a dead man walking, Julian," Sterling whispered, pouring himself a bourbon. "Every federal agency has a warrant out for your arrest."
Julian tossed the lined notebook onto the glass desk between them. It slid to a halt, stopping inches from Sterling’s glass.
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"Four stars, Marcus," Julian said, his voice deadly calm. "That’s how many nights a child starved because you needed a larger profit margin on your military logistics contracts."
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