Chapter 8 - Night of the Storm
A violent thunderstorm swept across the city three nights later, knocking out power lines and plunging the estate into darkness as heavy rain lashed against the windows. The mansion’s backup generators kicked in, but the howling wind obscured the sound of breaking glass near the conservatory doors.
Driven by spite and delusion, Victoria had bypassed the outer fence during the storm, using an old security code she had memorized months prior. Armed with a keycard she had secretly cloned, she slipped through the darkened hallways, intending to take Leo and use him as leverage to force Julian into granting her immunity and a massive payout.
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Clara, who was upstairs putting Leo to sleep, heard the faint click of footsteps outside the nursery door. Trusting her instincts, she immediately locked the reinforced nursery door, drew the heavy bolts, and dialed Julian’s personal line while pressing the panic button installed beside the bed.
Outside the nursery door, Victoria began frantically rattling the handle, screaming demands and trying to force her way inside. Clara held the crying boy tightly in her arms, whispering soothing words of comfort while standing between the door and the child, determined to protect Leo with her life if necessary.
