Chapter 518:
Aurora reached the bottom of the stairs. The crowd parted like the Red Sea. She walked straight to the center of the room.
“Good evening,” Aurora said. The word was a blade. “Thank you for coming to celebrate the return of the true owners.”
She turned to the crowd, raising her voice. “Welcome, everyone. I apologize for the delay. We had some… pests to clear out.”
The waiter made his move.
“Vance!” he screamed, pulling a suppressed pistol from his jacket.
Elias moved before anyone else registered the threat.
The assassin aimed at Aurora’s chest.
“Die!”
Thwack.
A silver flash cut through the air.
The assassin screamed, dropping the gun. A steak knife—snatched from a passing waiter’s tray by Elias—was embedded in his shoulder.
The gun hit the floor. It discharged once.
Bang.
The bullet shattered the massive crystal chandelier above them. Glass rained down like diamonds. The crowd screamed and scattered.
Aurora didn’t flinch. She stood amidst the falling glass, the red dress glowing in the chaotic light, looking untouchable.
“Nice throw,” she murmured to Elias.
“I aimed for the hand,” Elias criticized himself. “He moved.”
galnσvє𝓵s.𝓬𝓸m – your update hub
William’s guards swarmed the assassin, pinning him to the ground. He was shouting about the “Legacy” and “True Order.”
“Who sent you?” William demanded, stepping on the man’s hand.
“You can’t stop it!” the man spat. “The Protocol has begun!”
Julian stepped out from the crowd, shielding Seraphina who had frozen at the sound of the gunshot.
“Get him out of here,” Julian ordered.
Aurora stepped onto the small stage where the orchestra had fled. She grabbed the microphone.
“Don’t run!” Aurora commanded the room.
The authority in her voice froze the guests.
“Since we have your attention,” Aurora said, “and since the police are already here… let’s watch a movie.”
She signaled to the tech booth. Cloud, remotely accessing the system, dropped the screen.
“Show them why the Zieglers are in prison,” Aurora said.
The screen flickered to life.
The video was grainy, timestamped three days ago.
It showed the basement. The dark, damp cell.
.
.
.