Chapter 6 - The Trap Snaps
The accusation from a seven-year-old child would normally be dismissed, but in the world of high-stakes corporate warfare, it was a thread that Richard immediately began to pull.
"Thomas? Arthur?" Richard turned slowly, his eyes locking onto his brother, then onto his chief of security. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Arthur Vance didn't hesitate. Realizing the game was up, he drew his concealed firearm from his jacket. But before he could aim it at Richard, Richard—trained in executive self-defense—grabbed Arthur's wrist, slamming it against the edge of the mahogany desk. The gun fired into the ceiling, shattering the crystal chandelier.
Chaos erupted. Thomas bolted for the balcony doors, escaping into the dark gardens.
Arthur Vance broke free from Richard's grip, kicking the desk over to create a barrier. He aimed his gun directly at Joan and Betty.
"If anyone moves, the girl dies for real this time!" Vance roared, his face contorted in desperation. "Victor Vance is my cousin, Richard! We were going to split the patent money! You had everything, and you left your own family with crumbs!"
Joan didn't think about her ribs, her pain, or her fear. As Arthur raised the weapon, she spun her body, slamming her weight into Betty, knocking the child behind the heavy leather sofa.
A bullet tore through the air, grazing Joan’s shoulder. She gasped, falling to the floor.
Richard, fueled by pure paternal rage, lunged over the overturned desk, tackling Arthur Vance to the ground. The two men wrestled for the weapon until a second shot echoed through the room.
May you like
Arthur Vance went limp. Richard stood up, panting, the gun in his hand. He looked down at Joan, who was clutching her bleeding shoulder, keeping her body firmly over Betty.
"Joan," Richard breathed, dropping the gun and rushing to her side. "Joan, oh my god."
