Chapter 7 - Unmasking the Traitor
Two hours later, the Mercer estate was surrounded by police cruisers and federal agents. The remaining intruders were cuffed and dragged away into the night. Inside the grand study, Julian poured a glass of whiskey, his knuckles bruised and bloodied from the fight.
Marcus walked into the room, looking grim. "Boss, we interrogated the surviving team leader. He cracked."
Julian didn't turn around. "Who sent them?"
"It wasn't just the Rossi syndicate," Marcus said slowly. "They had inside help. Someone high up in our own organization sold the security layouts and kept tabs on your schedule so the hit could go down tonight."
Julian turned around slowly, his eyes narrowing into cold slits. "Give me the name."
"It was... Raymond," Marcus whispered. Raymond was Julian's chief financial officer and second-in-command of corporate operations. "He made a deal with the Rossis a year ago. He wanted to take over your empire from the inside, and he figured getting rid of your family would break your focus."
Julian’s face went pale, then hardened into iron. "Where is Raymond now?"
"He tried to flee toward the helipad when the police arrived," Marcus replied, dropping a set of brass car keys on the desk. "Interception units caught him at the perimeter gate. He’s locked in the lower holding cells."
Julian set his whiskey glass down. He walked out of the study, his heavy footsteps echoing down the stone stairs into the underground holding level. Raymond was chained to a metal chair, sweating profusely, trembling as Julian stepped out of the shadows.
"Julian... Boss... please," Raymond stammered, pulling against the chains. "It was business! Just business!"
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Julian stopped inches away from him. He didn't yell. His voice was deathly calm. "You threatened my children. You brought terror into their home. You made them fear the dark."
Julian raised his fist, delivering a single, devastating blow that knocked Raymond unconscious instantly. He turned to Marcus, who stood by the door. "Hand him over to federal custody with all the financial records attached. Let him rot in a federal penitentiary for the rest of his natural life."
