Chapter 10 - THE CRASH ON 5TH AVENUE
Lara stared at the dead phone screen, her heart slamming against her ribs.
"Turn around," Grace said sharply from the back seat.
"What?" Lara asked, glancing in the rearview mirror. "We have to go back!"
"If we go back now, Viviana’s men will intercept us before we reach the gates," Grace reasoned, her voice icy and mature.
"She triggered her contingency plan the moment she realized I was missing."
"We go straight to Mr. Harrison."
"He holds the master injunction that freezes all Hollis corporate assets."
"Once the money is locked, Viviana has no power."
Lara gritted her teeth, made a sharp illegal U-turn across three lanes of traffic, and floored the accelerator.
The black sedan surged forward, weaving aggressively through the morning commuter traffic.
Skidding tires and angry honks echoed in their wake.
They raced toward the gleaming skyscrapers of downtown.
As they pulled up outside the historic stone building housing Mr. Harrison’s law firm, Lara slammed on the brakes.
They jumped out of the car and sprinted through the revolving glass doors.
The lobby was quiet, polished marble reflecting the bright morning chandeliers.
Lara rushed to the reception desk.
"I need to see Mr. Harrison immediately," Lara demanded, panting slightly. "It’s an emergency regarding the Hollis estate."
The receptionist looked up, her expression turning pale.
"Mr. Harrison... he’s not taking visitors today."
"Listen to me!" Lara slammed her hands onto the counter. "Lives are in danger!"
Suddenly, the elevator doors behind the reception desk chimed softly and slid open.
A tall man in a tailored grey suit stepped out, carrying a leather briefcase.
He froze when he saw Grace standing in the lobby.
"Grace?" the man said, his eyes widening in shock. "What are you doing here?"
"Mr. Harrison," Grace said, walking forward with quiet dignity. "The contingency is active."
The lawyer stared at the child, then looked at Lara.
A grave, solemn expression settled over Mr. Harrison’s face.
"Follow me to my office," the lawyer said quietly. "Now."
They hurried down the private hallway into a spacious office overlooking the city skyline.
Mr. Harrison locked the heavy oak door behind them.
"Viviana made her move an hour ago," Mr. Harrison said, opening his briefcase and pulling out thick stacks of legal documents.
"She initiated a hostile takeover of the Hollis board using forged power-of-attorney signatures."
"And Damian?" Lara asked anxiously. "Where is Damian?"
Mr. Harrison paused, avoiding Lara’s gaze.
"His security detail reported that his private car was run off the West Bridge twenty minutes ago."
Lara felt the room spin around her.
"No," Lara whispered, gripping the edge of the mahogany desk. "No, he can't be..."
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"He was taken to Mercy General Hospital," Grace said, her voice eerily calm despite the devastating news.
"And Viviana is already on her way there to finish it."
