Chapter 28 - Fire and Rain
The roof of the mansion was a sprawling expanse of slate tiles and flat concrete observation decks, crowned by a large, circular helipad. The storm was at its peak. Torrential rain lashed sideways in the gale-force winds, and thunder shook the very air.
Below them, the estate was an apocalyptic vision. Entire wings of the historic mansion were engulfed in roaring flames, the fire burning so intensely it defied the torrential rain. The orange glow of the inferno illuminated the stormy night, casting long, demonic shadows across the roof.
Sirens wailed in the distance—dozens of them, cutting through the thunder. The police and fire brigades were finally arriving, no doubt alerted by the massive explosion and the global data drop that had just hit every intelligence agency in Europe.
"We made it," Martha gasped, collapsing onto her knees on the wet concrete, letting the freezing rain wash the soot and blood from her face.
"Not yet," Maxwell said, standing slowly.
Standing in the center of the helipad, soaked to the bone, his expensive suit ruined and plastered to his skin, was Victor Vance. He held a heavy tactical knife in his hand, his gun having run dry in the server room. The last mercenary was nowhere to be seen—likely abandoned to burn below.
Victor looked entirely unhinged. The mask of the sophisticated billionaire had completely melted away, leaving only a rabid, desperate animal.
"You ruined it," Victor screamed over the roar of the wind and the fire, pointing the knife at Maxwell. "I built this empire to be untouchable! I orchestrated the perfect dynasty, and you burned it to the ground!"
"You built nothing, Victor," Maxwell stepped forward, his fists clenched, ignoring the shotgun slung useless and empty on his back. "You stole, you murdered, and you poisoned your own family. The Vance empire is dead. And you're going to face justice."
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"I am not going to prison!" Victor roared, laughing maniacally into the storm. "If I go down, I am taking you with me. The golden boy. The favorite son. Let's see how much you learned in your wheelchair, little brother."
Victor lunged.
