Chapter 8
The Confrontation at the Helipad
The wind howled across the concrete helipad at the summit of the Vance mountain estate. The rotors of a sleek, twin-engine helicopter were already spinning, cutting through the heavy fog with a rhythmic, deafening thud.
Eleanor stood near the open cabin door, her silk scarf whipping violently around her face as she dragged a crying Leo by the wrist. "Hurry up! The flight plan is cleared for Montreal! Move!"
"Stop right there, Eleanor!"
Clara’s voice cut through the roar of the helicopter engines like a gunshot.
Eleanor spun around to see Clara, Arthur, and Marcus emerging from the dark tree line, their clothes soaked with rain, their faces illuminated by the flashing lights of the helipad.
"You're too late, Clara!" Eleanor shrieked, her voice frantic and edge-of-hysteria. "The local police are on my payroll! By the time the federal agents get up this mountain, I’ll be in international territory! Leo belongs to the Vance dynasty, not to a broke orphan!"
"Leo doesn't belong to a dynasty, Eleanor! He belongs to me!" Clara shouted, taking a step forward onto the wet concrete.
One of Eleanor’s hired guards pulled his weapon, pointing it directly at Clara’s chest. But before he could fire, a sharp crack echoed from the trees. An independent FBI sniper team, tipped off by Arthur’s automated tracking relay, opened fire. The guard’s weapon flew from his grip as he collapsed to the ground, clutching his shattered hand.
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Realizing her protection was gone, Eleanor panicked. She grabbed Leo, holding him tightly in front of her like a human shield as she backed toward the spinning tail rotor of the aircraft.
"Stay back! I swear, if I lose everything, I’ll take him with me!" Eleanor screamed, her eyes completely wild with the madness of a cornered tyrant.
