Chapter 13
In the fraction of a second that Elena’s attention shifted to Clara, Julian moved with explosive, calculated speed. He lunged forward across the Persian rug, closing the distance between them before Elena could swing the barrel of the revolver back toward his chest. His right hand clamped around her wrist, forcing the barrel upward just as her finger tightened on the trigger.
Bang!
The deafening roar of the gunshot shattered the quiet of the library, sending a plume of white plaster dust raining down from the ceiling as the bullet buried itself harmlessly in the mahogany molding above the bookshelves. Elena screamed, struggling fiercely with the unexpected strength of her husband, her high heels slipping against the rug as Julian twisted her arm behind her back.
The heavy metal lockbox slipped from her left hand, crashing loudly onto the floor and spilling passports, bank statements, and velvet pouches across the checkered pattern near the doorway. Julian pressed her firmly against the edge of the mahogany desk, knocking the revolver loose from her grip. It skidded across the wood and dropped into the deep cushion of a leather armchair out of reach.
Elena slumped against the desk, sobbing uncontrollably now—not with calculated manipulation, but with the raw, broken despair of a woman whose house of cards had finally collapsed entirely. Her long dark hair tangled around her face, and her elegant beige dress was stained with dust and sweat.
Julian stood over her, breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling beneath his burgundy shirt. He didn't strike her, nor did he yell. He simply held her immobilized until her frantic struggling faded into exhausted defeat.
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Clara rushed forward, quickly kicking the fallen revolver further under the armchair to secure the area. She looked at Julian, her face pale but resolute. "Are you alright, Mr. Vance?"
"I'm fine," Julian said, his voice hard as stone. He pulled out his satellite phone with his free hand, dialing a pre-programmed emergency code. "Secure the perimeter, Clara. My security team is breaching the front gates right now."
