Chapter 17 - THE RIGHTFUL HEIR
The rain slammed down on us, but neither of us flinched.
Clara pulled off her hood, her camel coat soaked, her eyes blazing with fearless dignity. Beside her, I stepped into the blinding spotlight, pulling back my wet dark hair to reveal the silver crescent scar burning faintly against my collarbone.
In my right hand, I held up the silver pocket watch containing the Vance family crest.
"Director Malakor!" my voice rang out, projected clearly through the emergency broadcast system. "You declared the Vance family extinct so you could steal our seat and starve Sector 4!"
"It's... it's the child!" a senior Council member shouted, rising to his feet in disbelief. "The girl with the crescent scar! Arthur’s daughter!"
Malakor’s face turned white, then twisted into a demonic, desperate rage. "Kill them! Kill them both now!"
"DON'T YOU DARE!"
A thunderous voice boomed from the back of the plaza.
A squad of heavy tactical armored vehicles smashed through the security barricades. Leading the charge was Captain Hayes—his arm in a sling, flanked by dozens of loyal Vance family guards and lower-sector resistance fighters led by Marcus Vance.
The Syndicate guards hesitated, looking at the overwhelming public outrage and the loyal Vance soldiers surrounding the stage. One by one, seeing the video proof of treason broadcasting live across the nation, Malakor’s men lowered their rifles.
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"Traitor!" Captain Hayes barked, leveling his weapon at Malakor. "By order of the High Council Charter, you are under arrest for treason and attempted murder of a Council heir!"
Malakor lunged toward me in a final, frantic panic, but Marcus stepped up onto the stage, dropping him with a single, heavy strike to the jaw. Malakor hit the wet marble floor, where guards instantly slapped heavy stasis cuffs around his wrists.
