Chương 4 - the confrontation at the gate
The heavy iron gates of the estate stood tall against the dark night sky. Rain began to fall in a steady drizzle, reflecting the red and blue flashing lights of two city marshal vehicles parked in the driveway.
Ryan walked down the stone path, flanked by Marcus and four armed guards in dark wool coats. His black suit was buttoned tight, his gold watch glinting under the gate floodlights, his broad frame radiating an intimidating, cold composure.
Standing outside the gate was Arthur Vance—the slick, sixty-year-old lead attorney for the Valenti crime family—wearing a dark trench coat and holding a leather portfolio. Beside him stood two city marshals with sidearms holstered at their hips.
"Don Ryan," Vance said smoothly, offering a fake, polite smile through the iron bars. "Apologies for the late hour. We are executing a welfare check and court order regarding a four-year-old child named Maya Vane."
Ryan stopped two feet from the gate, his hands resting casually in his trousers pockets, his dark eyes locked onto Vance's face like twin iron blades.
"You're standing on private property, Vance," Ryan said, his voice dropping into a low, gravelly register that made the two marshals shift uncomfortably. "State your business and clear out."
Vance pulled an official document from his portfolio, holding it up against the iron bars. "We have reason to believe an unregistered minor was illegally brought onto your premises tonight. The child is a primary witness in an ongoing estate probate case involving the Valenti trust. Hand the child over to the marshals, Ryan."
Ryan let out a soft, bitter laugh. "You brought two marshals to my front gate at midnight to execute a probate check on a child whose mother was murdered four days ago?"
Vance's smooth expression wavered for a fraction of a second. "The child belongs in state custody until the court determines her legal guardianship."
"The child belongs to the Vane family," Ryan growled, stepping directly up to the iron bars, his broad chest rising as his presence completely overwhelmed the legal team outside. "Tell Victor Valenti that if he sets another foot near my family... I will personally tear down every business he owns in this state."
"Is that a threat against an officer of the court, Don Ryan?" Vance sneered, trying to maintain his authority.
"It's a promise, Vance," Ryan whispered coldly. "Marcus, close the outer security shutters."
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The heavy steel blast shutters slammed down over the gate controls with a deafening metallic screech, sealing the estate off from the driveway.
Ryan turned and walked back toward the mansion, his jaw set like iron. "Marcus. Bring the internal security team to the study. Valenti isn't going to wait for the court order to expire. They're going to hit this house before dawn."
