Chapter 11: Blood and Velvet
Evelyn Vance walked into the room, flanked by Victoria. The Impostor was no longer wearing the burgundy velvet
dress; she was clad in sleek tactical black, her silver derringer replaced by a customized combat pistol.
"A valiant effort, Jack," Evelyn said, her voice dripping with condescension. She wore a pristine white suit now,
entirely untouched by the chaos of the previous night. "But you're just a relic playing hero."
"Let the girl go, Evelyn. You want me," Jack said, his muscles coiled, calculating the distance to Silas.
"I want the world, Jack. And she is the key." Evelyn nodded to Victoria. "Extract the DNA. Process the override."
Victoria stepped forward, a medical extraction gun in her hand. She approached Lily, whose eyes were wide with
terror.
"You're not my mommy!" Lily screamed, kicking wildly.
"I know, sweetheart," Victoria smiled, a cold, dead expression. "I'm the upgrade."
As Victoria raised the needle, Jack made his move. He didn't go for the gun. He hit the manual release on his
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tactical vest, dropping the heavy Kevlar plates, and lunged forward, triggering the remote detonator hidden in his
sleeve for the first C4 charge on the far wall.
