Chapter 9 - The Resurrection
Eleanor backed away slowly, her heart pounding against her ribs. "You... you were killed in the nursery. Arthur shot you."
Maria let out a low, raspy laugh that sent chills down Eleanor’s spine. "Arthur shot a blood bag hidden under my shirt, sweetheart. Kevlar works wonders when you know where the bullet is coming from."
Maria lowered her weapon slightly, her dark eyes glittering with cold intelligence. "Thomas was a fool who thought he was paying me to eliminate you. He didn't realize I was playing my own game."
Julian knocked the final mercenary unconscious with a heavy right hook and rushed to Eleanor’s side, raising his weapon at Maria. "Stay back!"
"Put the gun down, Julian," Maria said smoothly. "If you kill me, you’ll never find out who actually hired me three months ago. Hints: it wasn't Thomas. And it wasn't your wife."
Julian hesitated, his hand trembling slightly. "What are you talking about?"
Maria pulled a small leather tablet from her coat and tossed it onto the wet floor between them. "Thomas was just the bankroll. The real mastermind behind the destruction of the Sterling family is sitting in a private villa in Geneva. Someone who has been waiting thirty years to claim what your father stole."
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Eleanor picked up the tablet. The screen lit up, displaying a dossier titled PROJECT ATHENA. On the screen was a photograph of a woman with striking blue eyes, sharp cheekbones, and silver hair—a woman Eleanor recognized instantly.
"Mother?" Eleanor whispered, her voice barely audible over the roaring storm.
