Chapter 33 - The Sovereign’s Lair
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The private penthouse overlooking the River Thames was an architectural masterpiece of steel, glass, and dark marble. Rain poured over the glass dome roof as our helicopter hovered low, dropping our tactical team directly onto the private helipad.
Dad and I stepped onto the wet stone terrace, flanked by four armed operatives. Maya was safe inside the armored interior of the helicopter, guarded by two men with orders to take off if anything went wrong.
The double glass doors leading into the penthouse were already unlocked. Gabriel Vance wasn't running anymore. He was waiting for us.
We walked into the sprawling, dimly lit living room. Classic opera music played softly from hidden speakers. Standing at the bar, calm as ever, pouring a glass of twenty-year-old scotch, was Gabriel Vance.
He didn't have any guards around him. He didn't have a weapon in his hand. He looked like a retired billionaire enjoying a quiet evening.
"You broke my glass window in the city, Marcus," Gabriel said without turning around, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "That was very expensive glass."
"You threatened my granddaughter, Gabriel," Dad replied, walking toward the center of the room, his gun lowered but ready. "That was an expensive mistake."
Gabriel turned slowly, taking a sip of his drink. His eyes drifted to me, a cold, calculating look in his gaze. "You're clever, Mara. Using Protocol Zero to trace my satellite relay back to my local network. Very clever indeed."
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"It wasn't hard," I said, stepping up beside my father. "You got arrogant. You thought because you were hidden behind thirty years of rumors, no one could touch you."
"I am untouchable," Gabriel said quietly. "Because even if you shoot me right now, Marcus... the code I uploaded to Vance Dynamics is already live."
