Chapter 16 - The Setup
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Panic flared hot and bright in Nora’s chest, but the survival instincts she had honed her entire life kicked in. She didn't look at the gun. She looked at Madison.
Madison was terrified, but she stood her ground, refusing to step away from the laptop.
“You’re a dead man, Arthur,” Madison said, her voice shaking but fiercely defiant. “My father will destroy you for this.”
“Your father is going to come home to a tragedy,” Arthur replied coldly, drawing the weapon fully. “A desperate maid caught stealing jewelry by the loyal head of security. A struggle ensued. It’s a tragic story, but very believable.”
“And what about me?” Madison challenged.
“You won't be in the room when it happens,” Arthur smiled grimly. “Now, step away from the laptop, Madison.”
Nora knew she had seconds before Arthur crossed the room. She glanced at the heavy, marble-based floor lamp standing just inside the closet door.
“Madison, move!” Nora screamed.
Nora lunged forward, grabbing the heavy marble lamp and swinging it with every ounce of strength she possessed directly at Arthur’s knees.
Arthur cried out in pain as the marble connected brutally with his shin, his leg buckling under him. The gun discharged wildly, the bullet shattering a mirror on the far wall with a deafening crash.
Madison didn't freeze. She grabbed the heavy laptop, the video evidence still playing, and sprinted past Arthur, bolting out of the master suite and down the grand staircase.
Arthur cursed, scrambling to his feet, ignoring Nora completely as he chased after the billionaire’s daughter. He knew if Madison reached the exterior guards with that laptop, his life was over.
Nora grabbed the velvet jewelry box from the bed—the evidence of his framing attempt—and ran after them.
“Guards!” Madison shrieked as she hit the foyer, her voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings. “Help!”
Two perimeter guards rushed through the front doors, drawing their weapons as they saw Madison sprinting toward them, clutching the laptop.
Arthur skidded to a halt at the top of the stairs, realizing he was entirely outmatched. He looked down at the guards, his weapon still in his hand.
“Drop the gun, Arthur!” one of the guards yelled, aiming directly at his chest.
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Arthur looked at the gun in his hand, then looked at Nora, who had just appeared behind him on the landing, holding the jewelry box. He knew he was beaten. Slowly, deliberately, he placed the weapon on the floor and raised his hands in surrender.
The reign of the traitor was officially over.
