Chapter 5 - A Queen’s Gambit
“Put your hands where I can see them, Vincent,” Olivia’s voice cut through the cavernous warehouse like ice.
Vincent didn't flinch. He slowly turned around, his posture completely relaxed, though his dark eyes locked onto Olivia with the terrifying focus of a predator preparing to strike.
“You walked into a slaughterhouse, Olivia,” Vincent said smoothly, his voice devoid of any fear. “You think a dozen corporate mercenaries can wipe out my garrison?”
“Your garrison is currently locked down across the city thanks to a municipal grid hack managed by my father’s tech division,” Olivia laughed, a harsh, brittle sound. She stepped closer, her eyes scanning the tied-up kitchen staff with utter contempt. “And as for you... you really thought you could play me? You thought you could string me along with a Gold Coast property while secretly pining for your dead, trailer-trash wife?”
“Meline is worth a thousand of you,” Vincent replied, his voice dropping into a deadly whisper.
Olivia’s face twisted with pure venom. She raised the barrel of the gun higher, aiming straight for Vincent’s heart. “It’s a shame you won't live long enough to see her die in the delivery room. My men are already at St. Jude’s Memorial. By the time we finish here, there won't be a single Whitmore or Castellano left breathing in Chicago.”
Vincent’s blood ran cold. The calm, calculated facade completely shattered. He lunged forward with inhuman speed—
Bang!
A single gunshot echoed through the warehouse, kicking up concrete dust inches from Vincent’s boots.
“Don't test me, Vincent!” Olivia shrieked, her finger trembling on the trigger. “Tell your men to drop their weapons, or I swear to God I will call the strike team at the hospital and tell them to burn the maternity ward to the ground!”
Vincent froze, his muscles locked in mid-motion. He looked at Olivia, realizing the terrible checkmate she had engineered. If he moved, his unborn child and Meline would pay the price.
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Behind Olivia, near the darkened shadows of the warehouse rafters, a soft metallic click went unnoticed in the chaos.
A red laser dot appeared, dancing silently across Olivia Harrington’s forehead.
