THE HEIRESS VOW - Chapter 60

Personal Vendetta
Ava’s estate, once a serene refuge, now resembled a fortress. Tall walls, reinforced gates, and armed guards patrolling every inch spoke volumes about the battles they’d endured. Inside, the air was thick with tension and anticipation.

Ava stood in the command center, staring at a detailed map spread out before her. Red markers indicated enemy positions, blue ones their own defenses. Her fingers traced the lines, her mind racing with strategies.

“We can’t keep playing defense,” Liam said, breaking the silence. He leaned over the table, his eyes locked onto Ava’s. “It’s time we take the fight to them.”

Ava’s jaw tightened. “I know. But we need to be smart about it. We can’t afford any more losses.”

“That’s why we need to hit them where it hurts,” Liam insisted. “Cut off the head of the snake.”

Ava nodded slowly, her resolve hardening. “We’ll need more intel. We can’t go in blind.”

Just then, Arman entered, a grim look on his face. “We’ve intercepted some communications. I think you’ll want to hear this.”

Ava followed Arman to the monitoring station. The crackle of static filled the room before a voice came through, cold and calculated.

“The plan proceeds as scheduled. Ensure all resources are in place. We strike at dawn.”

Ava’s fists clenched. “He’s planning another attack. We need to act now.”

“Agreed,” Liam said. “But we need to know where he’ll be.”

Arman nodded. “We’ve narrowed it down to a few possible locations. If we can capture one of his lieutenants, we might get the information we need.”

Ava took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing with determination. “Then let’s make it happen. We’ll divide into teams. Liam, you’ll lead the assault on the primary location. Arman and I will handle the others.”

Liam placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll get him, Ava. For everyone we’ve lost.”

Night fell, casting a shadow over the estate as Ava and her team moved out. The moonlight glinted off their weapons, their footsteps silent on the gravel paths. Ava’s mind raced with thoughts of the mastermind, the one responsible for all their pain and suffering.

At the first location, an abandoned warehouse, Ava and Arman moved stealthily, their senses on high alert. The air was thick with tension, every creak and rustle sending a jolt of adrenaline through them.

“Stay sharp,” Ava whispered, her eyes scanning the darkness.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, a gun in hand. Arman reacted instantly, disarming the attacker with a swift move and pinning him to the ground.

“Where’s your boss?” Ava demanded, her voice cold and unyielding.

The man sneered, his defiance evident. “You think I’ll tell you?”

Ava’s eyes blazed with anger. “You will, or you’ll regret it.”

Before she could press further, a gunshot rang out, narrowly missing Ava and striking the wall behind her. Arman grabbed the man, dragging him to cover as more shots followed.

“We’re compromised!” Arman shouted. “We need to fall back!”

Ava gritted her teeth, frustration boiling within her. “Not without answers.”

Arman nodded, tightening his grip on the prisoner. “We’ll take him with us. Maybe he’ll talk under different circumstances.”

Back at the estate, the captured lieutenant sat in a dimly lit room, bound to a chair. Ava stood before him, her gaze unwavering.

“You have one chance to tell me what I need to know,” she said, her voice icy.

The man smirked, blood trickling from a cut on his lip. “And if I don’t?”

Ava leaned in, her eyes locked onto his. “Then you’ll find out just how far I’m willing to go.”

For a moment, the man wavered, but his resolve hardened. “You don’t scare me.”

Ava turned to Arman. “Get the truth serum.”

Arman nodded, retrieving a small vial from a nearby cabinet. The lieutenant’s eyes widened as Arman approached, the needle glinting ominously.

“Last chance,” Ava said softly.

The man gulped, sweat beading on his forehead. “Alright, alright! I’ll talk!”

With the information extracted, Ava and her team regrouped. The mastermind’s location was finally within their grasp. They moved with purpose, their spirits buoyed by the prospect of ending this nightmare.

The final location was a sprawling mansion, heavily guarded. Ava surveyed the scene, her mind racing with possibilities.

“Liam, take your team around back. Arman, you’re with me. We’ll hit them from both sides,” Ava instructed.

They moved with precision, taking out guards silently as they advanced. The mansion loomed before them, a symbol of the mastermind’s arrogance and cruelty.

Inside, the atmosphere was tense, every shadow a potential threat. Ava’s heart pounded as they made their way through the corridors, each step bringing them closer to their target.

They burst into the main hall, weapons at the ready. There, standing at the center, was the mastermind, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

“Welcome, Ava,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “I’ve been expecting you.”

Ava’s eyes blazed with fury. “It’s over. You’ve lost.”

The mastermind chuckled. “Oh, I don’t think so. You see, I’ve always been one step ahead.”

As he spoke, a door behind him opened, revealing a figure that made Ava’s blood run cold. Standing there was someone she never expected—her long-lost brother, Victor.

“Victor?” Ava’s voice trembled with shock and disbelief.

Victor’s eyes were cold, devoid of the warmth she remembered. “Hello, sister. Did you miss me?”

The room fell into a stunned silence as Ava tried to process the revelation. Her mind raced, memories of her brother flashing before her eyes. The loving sibling she once knew was now standing with her greatest enemy.

“Victor, what are you doing here?” Ava’s voice was barely a whisper, a mix of confusion and hurt.

Victor’s expression remained cold. “I’m here to finish what I started. You always were the favored one, Ava. It’s time you learned what it’s like to lose.”

Ava’s heart shattered, the betrayal cutting deeper than any wound. She clenched her fists, her determination renewed. “You’re making a mistake, Victor. This isn’t you.”

The mastermind’s laughter echoed through the hall. “Family reunions are always so touching. But enough of this. Ava, you will surrender, or your brother will suffer the consequences.”

Ava’s eyes darted to Victor, searching for any sign of the brother she once loved. “I won’t let you manipulate me.”

Victor’s gaze flickered, a brief moment of hesitation. But the mastermind’s grip on him was strong, and he stood firm.

Liam stepped forward, his weapon aimed at the mastermind. “We won’t let you win.”

The mastermind’s smile widened. “Brave words, but futile. You’re surrounded.”

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall as reinforcements arrived, their guns trained on Ava and her team. The situation seemed dire, the odds stacked against them.

Ava took a deep breath, her mind racing with possible escape routes. She glanced at Victor, hoping to reach him. “Victor, please. This isn’t you. We can end this together.”

Victor’s expression faltered, the conflict evident in his eyes. But before he could respond, the mastermind barked an order. “Seize them!”

Chaos erupted as guards rushed forward. Ava and her team fought valiantly, but the sheer number of enemies overwhelmed them. Ava found herself separated from Liam, her focus solely on reaching Victor.

“Victor!” she shouted, struggling against the guards restraining her. “Don’t do this!”

For a brief moment, Victor hesitated, his gaze meeting Ava’s. But the mastermind’s voice cut through the air. “Finish them, Victor. Prove your loyalty.”

Victor’s hand trembled as he raised his weapon, aimed at Ava. Her heart pounded, tears welling in her eyes. “Victor, please. Remember who you are.”

The tension was palpable, the air thick with anticipation. Just as Victor’s finger tightened on the trigger, a loud explosion rocked the mansion, sending debris flying. Ava shielded her eyes, the blast disorienting her.

When the dust settled, she saw Liam and Arman had managed to regroup, their eyes filled with determination. “We’re not done yet,” Liam shouted, his voice a rallying cry.

Ava’s hope reignited as they fought their way through the chaos. She reached Victor, grabbing his arm. “Victor, we can end this. Together.”

Victor’s eyes softened, the conflict within him raging. But before he could respond, the mastermind intervened, pulling him away. “Enough!”

The mastermind’s voice was a snarl, his facade of calm shattered. “You will pay for your defiance, Ava.”

Ava stood her ground, her eyes locked onto Victor’s. “We’ll see about that.”

The final showdown loomed, the fate of their world hanging in the balance. Ava knew the battle ahead would be their toughest yet, but she was ready. For her loved ones, for her brother, she would fight to the end.

As the scene unfolded, the mastermind’s voice echoed in her mind, a reminder of the stakes. “This is just the beginning. More destruction awaits.”

But Ava’s resolve was unbreakable. They would uncover the mastermind’s true identity, expose his schemes, and end this nightmare once and for all.

The stage was set, the players ready. The final act of their personal vendetta was about to begin.