Chapter 10 - THEY TOOK MY FAMILY
I drove like a madman.
Marcus finally answered.
“Julian!”
“Where are they?”
“We lost contact.”
“How?”
“The security team was attacked.”
My stomach dropped.
“Is Julian—”
“We don't know.”
Those words nearly destroyed me.
I reached the location.
Elena's car was there.
The driver's door was open.
One of Julian's toys lay on the pavement.
I picked it up.
My hands shook.
Then I saw blood.
Only a small amount.
But enough.
I nearly collapsed.
Marcus grabbed my shoulder.
“Stay focused.”
“How?”
“You're their only chance.”
I forced myself to breathe.
We searched the area.
Then Marcus found a tire track.
A black SUV.
No license plate.
We followed it through the industrial district.
At an abandoned factory, we found the vehicle.
Empty.
But inside was Elena's scarf.
And a note.
Come alone.
Daniel grabbed my arm.
“No.”
I looked at him.
“I have to go.”
“You'll be killed.”
“Then find them before I am.”
Marcus stared at the note.
“It's a trap.”
“I know.”
Three hours later, I entered the factory.
Alone.
Richard stood in the center.
Behind him were two men.
And beside him—
Elena.
Her hands were tied.
But she was standing.
Julian was behind her.
Alive.
When he saw me, he cried:
“Daddy!”
I almost ran.
Richard raised a gun.
“Don't.”
I stopped.
Elena looked at me.
“Julian, don't give him anything.”
Richard smiled.
“Your wife is brave.”
“You're finished.”
“You still don't understand.”
“What?”
“The trust isn't the real prize.”
I stared at him.
“Then what is?”
“You.”
I frowned.
“Me?”
“You are the key.”
He explained.
My father had structured the trust so that it could only be accessed by his direct heir after proving the family had been victimized.
Richard needed me to activate it.
Then he planned to force me to transfer the assets.
“You kidnapped my family for money.”
“No.”
He smiled.
“I kidnapped your family because I knew you'd come.”
I looked at Elena.
She gave me the smallest nod.
Something was wrong.
Then I noticed it.
A tiny red light on the floor.
Marcus had planted a tracker.
The police were coming.
Richard heard the sirens.
His face changed.
“Move!”
The men grabbed Elena.
I lunged.
Chaos exploded.
One gunshot shattered the ceiling.
Marcus stormed through the side door with officers behind him.
Richard ran.
I chased him.
Through the warehouse.
Across the loading dock.
Into the darkness.
He turned.
Raised his weapon.
And froze.
Because behind him stood Victoria.
She was holding the evidence drive.
“You forgot something,” she said.
Richard stared at her.
“You.”
Victoria smiled through tears.
“I finally chose the right side.”
Police surrounded him.
He dropped the weapon.
And for the first time in five years...
I knew my family was safe.
But the story wasn't over.
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Because the trust still hadn't been activated.
And there was one final condition.
