Chapter 903
“Shh, it’s okay, Skye,” Arthur’s voice was sickeningly sweet. “I’m here. Why don’t you come to the estate tonight? Bring the ledger. We can go over the transition plan.”
“Okay,” Skye said. “I’ll be there.”
She hung up. Her expression was cold.
“Transition plan,” she muttered. “More like an execution.”
She opened her desk drawer and pulled out a small, pearl-handled pistol. She checked the safety, then slipped it into her purse.
𝗜𝘯𝘴𝘵a𝗻𝗍 а𝖼𝖼𝗲s𝗌 𝗼𝗻 g𝗮𝗹n𝗈𝗏𝘦𝗹𝘴.с𝗼𝗺
Tonight, the Sterling family reunion was going to be very interesting.
The drive to the Sterling Estate was a journey through ghosts. Skye passed the old oak tree where she used to play, the gate where Liam had first kissed her, the window where her father used to watch for her return.
Now, it was Arthur’s lair.
She pulled up the long driveway. The house blazed with light — Arthur wasn’t bothering to hide his triumph.
“Skye!” Arthur met her at the door, a drink in hand. “You look… tired.”
“It’s been a long day,” Skye said, clutching her purse.
“Come in, come in.” Arthur ushered her into the study. “I have the papers ready.”
On the desk sat a stack of documents. Transfer of Power. Power of Attorney.
“Just sign here,” Arthur said, tapping the page. “And you can take a vacation. Go to the Maldives. Forget all this stress.”
Skye picked up the pen and studied the paper.
“Where is the money going, Arthur?” she asked softly.
“To a secure trust,” Arthur answered smoothly. “To protect it from the market volatility caused by Lucian’s… condition.”
“Elysium,” Skye said.
Arthur froze. “What?”
“The money.” Skye looked up. “It’s going to the Elysium fund. The same fund that paid for the sniper.”
Arthur’s smile vanished. His eyes went cold. “You’ve been digging.”
“I never stopped.” Skye set the pen down. “I’m not signing, Arthur. And I know about Travis. I know you tried to recruit him.”
Arthur laughed — a harsh, ugly sound. “Smart girl. But not smart enough. You came here alone.”
He snapped his fingers.
Two large men stepped out from behind the curtains.
“Did I?” Skye asked.
She pressed a button on her watch.
The lights flickered and died.
Total darkness.
“What is this?” Arthur shouted. “Get the backup generator!”
Smash.
The French doors exploded open with brute force. Felix Vance filled the doorway, holding a tactical flashlight. Behind him, seated in a motorized wheelchair fitted with all-terrain tires, was Parker Hayes — tablet in one hand, taser in the other.
“Surprise!” Parker yelled, tapping his screen. “I just bricked your security system, Uncle Artie.”
Felix moved like a blur, taking down the first guard with a precise strike to the throat. Skye raised her pistol and aimed it at the second.
“Down on the ground!”
The guard hesitated, then raised his hands.
Arthur scrambled for the door, fumbling in the dark.
“Going somewhere, Uncle?” Alistair’s voice came from the doorway. He swept a flashlight beam directly into Arthur’s face.
“You…” Arthur shielded his eyes. “You’re supposed to be with Lucian!”
“Lucian sends his regards,” Alistair said, and stepped aside.