Chapter 23 - The First Strike
The very next morning, the serene safety of the foundation was violently disrupted. I was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the residents, when a deafening crash echoed from the front parlor.
I rushed into the room to find the massive, antique bay window completely shattered. Rain and broken glass covered the Persian rug. Lying in the center of the debris was a heavy paving brick. Wrapped tightly around it with black electrical tape was a single piece of heavy parchment paper.
Elias was already sprinting out the front door, his weapon drawn, but the street was entirely empty. The coward had thrown the brick from a moving vehicle and vanished.
I carefully peeled the tape away and unfolded the paper. The message was printed in crisp, elegant font, a stark contrast to the violence of its delivery.
You took down a fool, Lena. Do not mistake a fool's failure for your own strength. Hand over my wife and the briefcase by midnight, or this building burns to the foundation.
Elena Ruiz, my fiercely loyal attorney, arrived twenty minutes later. She stepped over the broken glass, her expression darkening as she read the note.
"Julian Vance is not Derek," Elena warned, adjusting her glasses. "Derek was an arrogant narcissist who wanted to play CEO. Julian is a highly organized, ruthless criminal who operates entirely in the shadows. He has half the city council in his pocket."
"He just threatened to burn down a building full of domestic abuse survivors," I stated, my voice completely devoid of fear. I turned to look at the shattered window. "He thinks this is a warning. He doesn't realize he just gave me permission to completely dismantle his life."
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"We need Detective Shaw," Elena said, pulling out her phone. "If Julian is escalating to physical threats, we need law enforcement protection on this perimeter immediately."
"Call him," I agreed, walking back toward my office to retrieve the briefcase Clara had brought. "But the police can only guard the physical walls. I am going to tear down his financial fortress."
