Chapter 33 - The Midnight IntrusionThe victory over Vanguard Holdings brought a profound sigh of relief to the Hamptons estate, but Felix refused to lower his guard. Julian Sterling was economically ruined, but a desperate man with nothing left to lose was the most dangerous threat of all.
It was 2:00 AM. A heavy coastal storm was battering the glass windows of the beach house, the thunder masking the sound of the crashing waves.
Sarah was asleep, her head resting on Felix’s chest. But Felix lay wide awake, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, listening to the rhythm of the storm.
Suddenly, Lily’s golden retriever, Max, who usually slept at the foot of their bed, let out a low, aggressive growl from the hallway.
Felix was out of bed in a fraction of a second. He slipped his hand into the biometric lockbox mounted under the nightstand, withdrawing a heavy, tactical flashlight and a sleek 9mm pistol he hadn't touched in years.
"Felix?" Sarah mumbled, waking up as the cold air rushed under the duvet. "What are you doing?"
"Stay here. Lock the door. Do not come out until I call your name," Felix whispered, his voice vibrating with absolute authority.
He slipped out into the darkened hallway. The security system hadn't triggered, which meant whoever was inside had bypassed the perimeter alarms—a professional job.
He moved silently toward Lily’s room. Max was standing guard in front of her closed door, the hair on his back standing straight up, growling into the darkness of the downstairs living room.
Felix descended the sweeping oak staircase, placing his bare feet carefully to avoid making a sound. Lightning flashed outside, illuminating the living room for a fraction of a second.
A figure in dark tactical gear was standing by the control panel for the house’s smart-grid, trying to disable the internal cameras.
Felix didn't announce himself. He didn't issue a warning. He raised his weapon and clicked the heavy tactical flashlight on, pinning the intruder in a blinding beam of white light.
"Drop the tools, Julian," Felix commanded, his voice echoing over the thunder.
Julian Sterling, soaked from the rain and looking completely unhinged, slowly turned around. He wasn't holding tools. He was holding a gasoline canister and a flare lighter.
"You took everything from me!" Julian screamed, his eyes wide and bloodshot, completely devoid of his usual corporate polish. "You bankrupted my firm! You made me a laughingstock!"
"Put the canister down," Felix said, his finger resting lightly on the trigger. "If you make a sudden movement, I will drop you right where you stand."
"If I lose, nobody wins," Julian laughed maniacally, raising the flare lighter and flicking the cap open.
Before his thumb could strike the ignition, Max the golden retriever vaulted over the back of the sofa with a terrifying snarl, tackling Julian to the floor. The lighter skittered across the hardwood.
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Felix was on him in an instant, pinning Julian to the floor with a knee to the spine, zip-tying his hands behind his back. The corporate vulture was finally caged.
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