Chapter 179
As night fell over the estate, the air seemed to hum with tension, as if the grounds themselves sensed the coming storm. In the dense forest surrounding the estate, Ariana and her new ally, a shadowy figure she referred to only as "Raven," moved silently through the underbrush. Raven had a reputation as a master of subterfuge and had been an enigma in the criminal underworld for years. Ariana had managed to convince him to join her cause with promises of a substantial reward and a chance to take down powerful enemies.
“Are you sure this is the right tunnel?” Raven whispered, his voice barely more than a breath among the rustling leaves. He surveyed the entrance to the underground passage they had discovered.
Ariana nodded, a determined look in her eyes. “This leads directly to the old vault room. We need to get there before Lily, Maxwell, or my mother can interfere. Once I have what’s in that vault, I’ll finally have leverage.”
Raven smirked, adjusting the strap of his bag filled with gear. “Just don’t forget your end of the deal, Ariana. I didn’t sign up for a wild goose chase.”
Ariana didn’t reply, her mind already racing with thoughts of what she might find in the vault. She knew her mother was coming for her, and she needed to secure her position before Carolina’s men closed in. Together, they slipped into the dark mouth of the tunnel, the sound of their footsteps swallowed by the earth.
***
Inside the mansion, Alexander and Lily regrouped in Caleb’s study after their search of the tunnels came up empty. Alexander’s frustration was palpable as he paced the room, running a hand through his hair.
“Lily, we’re missing something. Caleb knows more than he’s letting on,” Alexander said, glancing at his wife. “He warned me about the vault, but he’s holding back the real reason why it’s so important.”
Lily watched him, her expression serious but filled with concern. “Maybe he’s trying to protect you, Alexander. Or maybe there’s something in that vault that could change everything we know about this family.”
Alexander stopped, turning to face her. “Whatever it is, I can’t let Carolina or Ariana get their hands on it. We need to find out what Caleb is hiding before they do.”
Just as he finished speaking, the door creaked open and Caleb entered, leaning heavily on his cane. His eyes were tired, but a hint of defiance glinted in their depths.
“You’re both right,” Caleb began, taking a seat. “There’s something in that vault that could ruin us, but it’s not what you think. It’s not just about money or power—it’s about a secret that could change everything for this family. And it’s a secret I’ve tried to keep buried for decades.”
Alexander and Lily exchanged a look, their curiosity piqued. “Tell us, Caleb. If we’re going to protect this family, we need to know everything,” Alexander urged.
Caleb took a deep breath, then finally began to speak. “Years ago, before you were even born, Alexander, our family made a deal—a pact with people far more dangerous than Carolina or Ariana could ever imagine. That vault holds proof of that agreement, and if it gets out, it could bring down not just our family, but half of the city’s most powerful figures.”
Lily’s eyes widened. “What kind of agreement, Grandpa?”
Caleb’s gaze hardened. “One that would change everything we know about loyalty and trust.”
***
Meanwhile, Carolina stood on the edge of the estate’s grounds, watching as her men prepared for the raid. She had received word from Samuel that Ariana and her mysterious ally had entered the tunnels, and she wasn’t about to let her daughter outmaneuver her again.
“Prepare to breach the tunnels,” she ordered, her voice cutting through the night air. “Ariana thinks she’s ahead, but she’s just a pawn. Once we have control of that vault, I’ll be the one holding all the cards.”
Samuel nodded, signaling the men to move in. But just as Carolina turned to issue more orders, a muffled explosion echoed through the trees. Her head snapped toward the sound, eyes narrowing as she realized it came from deeper within the estate’s underground.
“Damn it, they’re already inside,” she muttered, her expression twisting with fury. “We need to move now!”
But as Carolina’s forces surged forward, the ground beneath them rumbled—Ariana and Raven had triggered a trap within the tunnels, collapsing part of the passage to slow down any pursuit.
***
In the darkness of the collapsing tunnel, Ariana and Raven sprinted through the dust-filled air. The explosion had bought them time, but they knew it wouldn’t be long before Carolina’s men found another way inside.
“You really know how to make an entrance,” Raven remarked, his tone sardonic even as they ran.
Ariana shot him a sideways glance. “Just keep moving. We’re almost there.”
But as they rounded a corner, a shadowy figure stepped out of the darkness, blocking their path—Maxwell, holding a gun, his expression cold.
“You’re not going any further, Ariana,” he said, voice steady. “I’m taking you in, and we’re ending this tonight.”
Ariana stopped in her tracks, glaring at him. “You think you can stop me, Maxwell? You’re outnumbered.”
Maxwell tilted his head, a smirk forming on his lips. “Am I?”
Behind him, Lily emerged from the shadows, her own weapon trained on Raven. “Drop the bag, Raven. You’re not taking anything from that vault.”
Ariana’s jaw clenched, realizing they were cornered. But just as it seemed like the standoff would end in gunfire, the rumbling of engines echoed through the tunnels—Carolina’s men, breaking through the other side.
Raven cursed under his breath, dropping the bag as instructed. “Looks like your mother is joining the party.”
Lily’s grip on her gun tightened, her eyes narrowing. “It doesn’t matter. We’re taking you in, Ariana, and you’re going to answer for everything you’ve done.”
But Ariana, ever the opportunist, lunged to the side, disappearing into a narrow crevice in the tunnel wall. “Not today,” she called back, her voice echoing through the chamber as she vanished into the shadows, leaving her ally behind.
Maxwell moved to follow, but Lily put a hand on his arm. “Let her go. We have bigger problems—Carolina’s not far behind, and she won’t stop until she has what she’s looking for.”
Maxwell hesitated but nodded, realizing she was right. They turned their focus back to the bag Raven had dropped, hoping it held clues that could lead them to the vault—and to the secrets Caleb had tried so hard to keep hidden.
As the echoes of Carolina’s forces grew louder, the tension between allies and enemies reached a breaking point. And somewhere in the darkness, Ariana slipped away, her mind already forming a new plan—a plan that would change the game once more.
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