Chapter 13: The Runway Ambush

The red emergency lights flashed against the steel walls of the underground vault.

The loud siren made Sarah's heart race as she held her mother's medical folder tightly against her chest.

"The elevators are locked," Sarah said.

Her voice was tense, but she stayed calm.

"Adrian, there are no other exits. We're trapped."

Adrian did not look worried.

Instead, a cold smile appeared on his face.

He touched the communicator on his wrist.

He did not even bother getting back into his wheelchair.

"They think like politicians," Adrian said quietly. "They believe walls and locked doors decide who survives."

He tapped his communicator.

"Renard. Start Phase Delta. Cut the clinic's main power."

"Understood, boss," Renard replied through the encrypted connection.

"Total blackout in three... two... one."

The siren suddenly stopped.

The red lights disappeared.

Everything became completely dark.

Sarah gasped when Adrian's warm hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her close to him.

"Stay close," he whispered.

His voice was right beside her ear.

"I have already studied every ventilation and maintenance tunnel in this building."

Sarah could hear his calm breathing.

"Vivian's men are using night-vision equipment. When the power goes out, our backup system will interfere with their technology."

Heavy footsteps sounded above them.

Vivian's security team had reached the lower part of the clinic.

Adrian held Sarah close and guided her through the darkness.

He moved without fear.

He did not stumble even once.

His steady steps showed Sarah again that the world had completely misunderstood the so-called crippled heir.

They avoided the main hallway and entered a heavy steel door.

Behind it was a narrow maintenance tunnel that ran along the side of the mountain.

"The file," Sarah whispered.

Her heart was beating wildly.

"If they catch us with it, everything will be lost."

Adrian tightened his arm around her.

"They won't catch us."

His voice was firm.

"I don't lose what belongs to me, Sarah."

He looked at her.

"And right now, your revenge belongs to me."

They finally reached the end of the tunnel.

A heavy iron gate stood there.

Beyond it was a steep drop down the Swiss mountains.

Far below, Lake Geneva was hidden under thick fog.

A steel ladder hung down the side of the cliff.

"We go down," Adrian said.

Suddenly....

CRASH!

The steel door behind them burst open.

A bright flashlight cut through the darkness.

"Freeze! Put your hands where we can see them!"

Two men wearing black tactical clothing stood in the tunnel.

They pointed their guns at Adrian and Sarah.

Red laser dots appeared on Adrian's chest.

Sarah held the medical folder tighter.

She prepared herself for the worst.

But Adrian moved first.

He quickly pulled a small device from his coat.

He threw it down the tunnel.

A blinding flash filled the passage.

A powerful sound exploded through the air.

The two men cried out and grabbed their eyes.

Their night-vision equipment had been overloaded.

Their weapons and equipment stopped working.

"Go!" Adrian shouted.

He grabbed the iron gate and pulled it open with incredible strength.

Sarah expected him to tell her to climb down.

Instead, Adrian wrapped one arm around her waist.

He held her tightly against him.

Then he stepped onto the steel ladder.

Gunfire exploded behind them.

Bullets hit the stone wall above their heads.

Adrian quickly carried Sarah down the ladder.

The freezing mountain wind hit them as they disappeared into the fog.

At the bottom of the cliff road, a large black armored SUV was waiting.

Its engine was running.

Renard stood beside the open door.

A rifle was hanging from his shoulder.

"Get in!" he shouted.

Sarah and Adrian jumped into the back seat.

Renard slammed the door shut and drove away.

The SUV raced down the winding mountain roads.

Snow covered parts of the road, but Renard drove quickly.

Behind them, Vivian's security vehicles appeared in the distance.

Their blue lights flashed through the fog.

But they could not catch them.

Sarah leaned back in the leather seat.

Her chest was still rising and falling quickly.

She touched the blue folder hidden safely inside her coat.

They had escaped.

And they had the evidence.

She looked at Adrian.

He was calmly fixing his shirt cuffs as if nothing had happened.

"We have the evidence," Sarah said.

A happy laugh escaped her.

"Victoria and Eleanor are finished."

"Yes," Adrian replied.

His dark eyes locked onto hers.

"But Vivian Vance just tried to kill me because she thinks I'm weak."

He reached over and gently placed his hand behind Sarah's neck.

He pulled her closer.

Their faces were only inches apart.

"Tomorrow, we arrive in Paris."

His voice was low and serious.

"We aren't going there just to show a fashion collection."

His eyes burned with determination.

"We are going to destroy her corporate empire in front of the entire world."

**********************************************************

The next morning, the presidential suite at The Peninsula Paris was filled with soft golden sunlight.

Through the tall windows, Sarah could see the Eiffel Tower through the morning fog.

But she barely noticed the beautiful view.

Her mind was focused on the battle ahead.

Sarah stood near the large fireplace.

She had removed her wool coat.

She now wore a sharp red silk blouse with black trousers.

Her hair was pulled back neatly.

On the glass table in front of her was the blue Swiss folder.

Inside it was the evidence that could destroy their enemies.

The bedroom doors opened.

Adrian walked out.

There was no wheelchair.

He wore a clean white shirt and a dark silk tie.

His tall, strong body filled the room with confidence.

Every time Sarah saw him walking without the wheelchair, she still felt surprised.

Their secret was becoming more dangerous by the day.

"Vivian's lawyers have completed the media blackout," Adrian said.

He walked toward the bar and poured two glasses of sparkling water.

"The Grand Palais is completely controlled by her company."

"The Paris Fashion Week committee has removed Vance Fashion House from the official schedule."

Adrian handed Sarah a glass.

"She thinks she has cut off every way for us to fight back."

Sarah took the glass.

Her fingers touched his.

"She thinks I'll run back to New York with my head down."

Her eyes became cold.

"But she doesn't understand something."

She looked at Adrian.

"An artist doesn't need permission to start a revolution."

Adrian smiled.

A dangerous but proud smile.

"Tell me your plan, my clever wife."

"Vivian may control the Grand Palais."

Sarah's voice was calm.

"But she doesn't control the streets of Paris."

Adrian's eyes sharpened.

Sarah continued.

"Tonight is her big opening gala."

"All the important fashion reporters, buyers, and international board members will be there."

"We're going to take her audience."

Adrian's smile grew.

"A street runway?"

"Exactly."

Sarah's confidence grew.

"We'll use the Starlight Brocade."

"I already have twelve international models waiting for us at our private studio."

"Vivian's group has already blacklisted them."

She leaned closer.

"At exactly 8:00 PM, when Vivian's guests are arriving at the Grand Palais, our models will step out of black Vance vans."

"They'll walk straight onto the public street."

Sarah smiled.

"We'll turn the public square into our runway."

Adrian looked impressed.

Before he could answer, his encrypted phone buzzed.

He checked the message.

His expression immediately became serious.

"The extraction team in New York has cleared the digital evidence."

He looked at Sarah.

"Victoria has discovered that her Swiss payment failed."

Sarah's eyes widened.

"She has booked an emergency private flight to Paris."

Adrian nodded.

"She's arriving tonight."

"She's coming here to meet Vivian."

His eyes became cold.

"They plan to deal with the 'Sarah problem' together."

Adrian walked toward Sarah.

His hands gently held her face.

"Tonight isn't just a fashion show, Sarah."

His voice was low.

"It's a trap."

"While your models take over the streets, I'll be inside the Grand Palais VIP lounge."

"I'll be waiting for Victoria and Vivian."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"They'll think they're celebrating their victory."

A dangerous smile appeared on his face.

"Then the press will enter."

"And we'll expose everything."

Sarah held his wrists.

Her heart was beating fast.

But this time, she was not afraid.

She was excited.

"Let's give Paris a night they'll never forget."

And the biggest battle of their lives was about to begin.