Semua Bab wounded Heart : Bab 111 - Bab 120

The submersible cut silently through dark Mediterranean waters, its navigation systems guiding them toward Monaco with unwavering precision. Inside the cramped cabin, Sonia watched Alex examine the USB drive they'd recovered, turning it over in his fingers as if it might reveal its secrets through touch alone."We need a computer," he said finally, tucking the drive into his pocket. "And not just any computer—one that's secure, isolated from any network."Sonia nodded, still processing the rapid sequence of events—finding her father, the revelation about James, the desperate escape. "The submersible might have one. Franco seems to have thought of everything else."She began examining the compact control panel, feeling Alex's presence behind her as he leaned in to observe. His proximity sent an involuntary shiver through her that had nothing to do with the chill of the underwater vessel."There," Alex said, his breath warm against her neck as he pointed to a small compartment beneath t

"I need a moment," Sonia said, her voice steady despite the storm raging within. "To gather my things."The guard's eyes narrowed. "Two minutes."As the door closed, Sonia moved to the window, studying the Casino Monte-Carlo in the distance. Alex's instructions echoed: Third floor, Salon Privé. "The winter sunrise awaits assessment." She had to get there, but first she needed to escape.She spotted a service cart with medical supplies. Her years as Alex's assistant had taught her to improvise under pressure. She grabbed a sedative, remembering the medical training she'd received after the Paris incident.The guard knocked sharply."Ready," Sonia called, positioning herself behind the door.The moment he entered, she struck—a sedative injection to his neck. He crumpled, and she caught him before he hit the floor."Sorry," she whispered, dragging him toward the bathroom.Six months ago, she'd been reviewing quarterly reports. Now she was sedating guards and fleeing mysterious organizati

The door crashed open with explosive force, sending splinters of wood flying across the hotel room.Alex made his decision in that split second of chaos. With one fluid motion, he pulled Sonia behind him and aimed his weapon not at James, but at Geneva."Mother," he said, his voice deadly calm, "step away from my brother."Geneva's eyes widened in shock. "Alex, you don't understand what's at stake—""I understand perfectly." His gaze never wavered. "You killed Father because he wanted to dismantle the shadow board. You've been its puppet master all along."The armed men who had broken through the door hesitated, their weapons drawn but awaiting orders. James's expression shifted from surprise to something like satisfaction."The Rodriguez heir makes his choice," James murmured, a hint of genuine respect in his voice.Sonia stepped out from behind Alex, her hand still intertwined with his. "Not the Rodriguez heir," she corrected. "Just Alex. The man who sees through the lies you've all

Time seemed to crystallize in the vast underground chamber. James's weapon remained trained on the tactical team, whose members exchanged confused glances, their own weapons hesitating between targets."James?" Geneva's voice carried disbelief tinged with fury. "What are you doing?""What Father would have wanted." James's gaze never wavered, his stance perfectly balanced. "What you taught me to do, Mother—always be three moves ahead."Alex maintained his protective position before Sonia, but his expression revealed deep calculation. "You're playing both sides.""I'm ending all sides," James corrected. "The shadow board has controlled global finance for too long." He glanced at Eliana. "Tell them what's in the vault."Eliana stepped forward, her resemblance to Sonia more pronounced in the vault's harsh lighting. "Evidence of every crime committed by the shadow board. Every market manipulation, every assassination, every engineered disaster that transferred wealth from the many to the

The harbormaster's office was nothing like the wedding venue Sonia might have imagined in quieter moments. The utilitarian space, with its nautical maps and worn wooden furniture, had been hastily rearranged to accommodate the impromptu ceremony. Salt-tinged air drifted through half-open windows, carrying the gentle sounds of Monaco's harbor at dusk.James had worked miracles in forty minutes. A local magistrate stood ready, paperwork prepared. Two harbor employees served as additional witnesses. Even a small arrangement of fresh flowers had materialized, now sitting atop the magistrate's desk."Efficient as always," Alex murmured to his brother, genuine appreciation in his voice.James's smile was uncharacteristically warm. "Some occasions deserve effort, even under duress."They'd managed to lose Elizabeth Kincaid's surveillance team through a series of coordinated vehicle switches orchestrated by David's security personnel. It wouldn't buy them much time—the shadow board's reach ex