Chapter 14 - The Trap is Set
The lockdown of the gala yielded nothing. Alexei Volkov was a ghost, slipping through Julian’s multi-million dollar security net effortlessly.
The realization that their enemy could get so close to Clara pushed Julian to the very edge of his sanity.
For the next two weeks, Julian virtually imprisoned them in the penthouse.
Clara was not allowed to go to the foundation, and Julian ran his legal businesses via encrypted video calls.
He reverted to the ruthless tactician he used to be, spending hours with Elias pouring over blueprints, tracking offshore accounts, and interrogating old underworld contacts.
Clara understood his fear, but the confinement was beginning to break her spirit.
“I am going to the center today,” Clara announced one Tuesday morning, pouring a cup of coffee.
Julian looked up from his scattered files on the kitchen island.
“Absolutely not,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“Julian, the children haven't seen me in almost a month. The staff is overwhelmed. I cannot let this man terrorize me into abandoning my life.”
Julian stood up, crossing the kitchen to stand in front of her.
“He wants to kill you, Clara. He wants to torture me by making you bleed. I will not allow it.”
“You are suffocating me to protect me!” Clara countered, tears springing to her eyes.
Julian flinched as if she had slapped him.
He reached out, cupping her cheek with a gentle, calloused hand.
“If I lose you, Clara, I will have nothing left. I will become a monster again.”
“You won't,” she whispered, leaning into his palm. “Let me go for three hours. Elias can drive me in the armored car. Ten guards.”
Julian stared into her pleading eyes, his iron will crumbling under her sadness.
“Three hours,” Julian conceded darkly. “And Elias does not leave your side for a single second.”
Clara arrived at the foundation under heavy guard.
For two hours, everything was perfect. The children were thrilled to see her, and she felt the heavy dread in her chest begin to lift.
But Alexei had been waiting for Julian to make a concession.
At exactly 2:00 PM, a massive explosion rocked the street outside.
The windows of the foundation rattled violently, and the fire alarms began to scream.
The abandoned warehouse next door was engulfed in flames, sending thick, choking smoke into the sky.
“Everyone to the designated safe zone!” Clara shouted, her teacher instincts taking over.
May you like
Elias grabbed her arm. “We are leaving. Now.”
Before they could reach the back exit, the heavy steel doors blew open, and chaos poured in.
