Chapter 8 - Infiltrating the Empire
Sterling Manor was an intimidating, iron-gated mansion perched on a cliff overlooking the Long Island Sound.
It was 8:00 PM—four hours before Lena’s thirtieth birthday deadline.
The estate was buzzing with activity. Dozens of luxury cars lined the cobblestone driveway as high-society guests, corporate board members, and news crews arrived for the annual Sterling BioTech Gala—a lavish event Richard hosted every year to project power and stability to the financial markets.
In the back of a dark surveillance van parked half a mile down the coastal road, I finished adjusting my black tuxedo bowtie.
"You remember the plan?" Detective Lin asked from the driver's seat, holding a tablet displaying the mansion’s security camera feeds.
"I walk in through the catering entrance using the stolen security badge Dr. Hayes secured," I said, checking my earpiece. "I get to the second-floor library, retrieve the drive from behind the portrait, and meet you at the gate."
"If Richard sees you," Lin warned, "he won't hesitate to shoot you on sight. He thinks you’re still hiding in the mountains."
"He stole my wife's life," I said, my voice cold and steady. "He tried to murder my son. He’s not stopping me tonight."
I stepped out of the van into the cool night air, slipping through the side hedge gate under the cover of the torrential rain.
The inside of Sterling Manor was breathtaking—crystal chandeliers, grand marble staircases, and chamber music drifting through the grand ballroom where two hundred guests were drinking champagne.
I slid past the busy kitchen staff, darting up the rear servant stairs toward the private residential wing on the second floor.
The heavy mahogany doors to Richard’s private library were unlocked. I slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind me.
The room was dark, lit only by the fireplace. Hanging above the stone hearth was a massive, gold-framed oil painting of Lena’s late mother, Victoria.
I stepped onto the hearth, reaching behind the lower right corner of the heavy wooden frame. My fingers brushed against a small velvet pouch taped to the back of the canvas.
I pulled it free. Inside was a black, encrypted hard drive and a tiny glass vial containing the raw tetrodotoxin formula signed by Dr. Vance.
"I knew you couldn't resist coming back for it, Ethan."
May you like
The lights in the library snapped on.
Richard Sterling stood by the heavy double doors, dressed in a flawless tuxedo, holding a sleek black pistol fitted with a silencer aimed directly at my chest.
