Chapter 19: The Viper's Bite
Jane froze. The progress bar on the screen hit 40%.
"Marcus?" she asked, her voice tight.
"I’m sorry, Jane. But burning it down was never my plan," Marcus said. His voice was cold, stripped of the camaraderie they had shared. "The Coalition doesn't want to destroy the Vanguard. We want to absorb it. With this ledger, I don't just ruin your father. I become him."
Jane slowly turned around. Marcus had his pistol aimed directly at her face.
"You used me," Jane whispered, a bitter smile touching her lips. "Just like he did. Just like I used Arthur and Eleanor."
"It's the nature of our world, Jane. Big fish, little fish. You were the key, but the door is open now. I can't leave loose ends. Especially not the rightful heir to the throne."
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The progress bar chimed at 100%. Marcus reached out to grab the drive.
In a fraction of a second, Jane kicked the rolling server chair hard into Marcus’s shins. As he stumbled, she spun, grabbing his gun hand and twisting it upward. A shot went wide, shattering the glass casing of the server.
