Chapter 11: The Attack on Valencian Estate

The deafening explosion echoed across Valencian Estate.

Every security alarm activated at once.

Emergency floodlights illuminated the entire property.

"Sir!" Marcus shouted through his earpiece. "The front gate has been breached! Multiple armed men are entering the estate!"

Achilles immediately pulled Emerald behind him.

"Stay with me," he ordered.

"Ace... what's happening?"

"Someone decided to stop hiding."

Within seconds, dozens of armed security guards rushed toward the front entrance.

Marcus sprinted across the hallway.

"Sir, approximately fifteen attackers."

"Weapons?"

"Automatic rifles."

"Professional formation."

"The Kings," Achilles muttered.

"Get Emerald to the panic room," Marcus suggested.

"No."

"They're expecting that."

"I'll keep her with me."

Emerald frowned.

"I'm not hiding while everyone risks their lives."

"This isn't bravery," Achilles replied firmly.

"You're their target."

"Exactly why I should know what's happening."

Before anyone could argue further, another explosion shook the mansion.

Glass shattered across the entrance hall.

"They're inside!" one guard yelled.

Gunfire erupted outside.

Security officers immediately returned fire.

The peaceful estate transformed into a battlefield.

"Move!" Achilles commanded.

Holding Emerald's hand tightly, he guided her through a hidden corridor behind the library.

"You have secret tunnels?" Emerald asked while running.

"My father built them years ago."

"He believed every fortress needed an escape route."

Marcus followed close behind with four elite guards.

"Sir, Team Alpha has secured the east wing."

"Team Bravo is evacuating the staff."

"Good."

"No civilian casualties."

"Understood."

The group reached a reinforced steel door.

Marcus entered a security code.

The heavy door slowly opened.

"The control room," Emerald whispered.

Walls covered with surveillance monitors displayed every corner of the estate.

One screen suddenly caught Achilles' attention.

"Stop that camera."

Marcus froze the footage.

A masked man stood calmly in the middle of the burning driveway.

Unlike the others, he wasn't carrying a rifle.

Instead, he simply watched the mansion.

"Zoom in."

Marcus enlarged the image.

The man's black gloves couldn't hide the familiar tattoo.

A chess king.

"Victor Kane," Achilles said quietly.

"You know him?" Emerald asked.

"I've spent years looking for him."

"He's the man who disappeared after my father's death."

Victor slowly removed his mask.

A long scar stretched across the left side of his face.

Even through the monitor, his cold smile was unsettling.

Suddenly, he looked directly toward the security camera.

As if he knew they were watching.

Then he raised one finger.

Three.

Two.

One.

Another explosion.

The surveillance screens went black.

"They destroyed the camera network," Marcus announced.

"Backup system offline."

"Sir, they've cut external communications too."

"Of course they have," Achilles replied.

"This wasn't a random attack."

"It's a planned operation."

Emerald's breathing became uneven.

"They're coming for me..."

"Yes," Achilles answered honestly.

"But they won't reach you."

"Not while I'm alive."

Before she could respond, the emergency door behind them rattled violently.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

"They're here!" one guard shouted.

"Positions!" Marcus ordered.

Everyone aimed their weapons at the entrance.

The steel door finally burst open.

Smoke filled the room.

Several masked men rushed inside.

"Protect Miss Hutton!" Marcus yelled.

A fierce gunfight erupted.

Bullets struck the reinforced walls.

Emerald instinctively covered her ears.

Achilles shielded her with his body while returning fire with remarkable precision.

One attacker fell.

Then another.

The remaining intruders retreated toward the hallway.

"Clear!" a guard announced.

"For now," Marcus corrected.

Suddenly, every light inside the control room switched off.

Complete darkness.

"Night vision!" Marcus ordered.

Green emergency lights activated.

A chilling laugh echoed through the speakers.

"Good evening, Achilles."

Victor Kane's voice filled the room.

"Seven years... and you're still protecting the wrong person."

"Show yourself!" Achilles demanded.

"Soon."

"But first... answer one question."

"Do you know who Emerald Hutton really is?"

Emerald looked confused.

"What does he mean?"

Victor laughed again.

"She doesn't know."

"How tragic."

"Ask her father about Project Rosebud."

"Ask him why your lives were destroyed seven years ago."

"Ask him what he has been hiding from both of you."

The speakers suddenly went silent.

Marcus tried restoring the system.

"Signal lost."

"He's gone."

Achilles slowly turned toward Emerald.

She stood frozen.

"Project Rosebud..." she whispered.

"Dad knows something... doesn't he?"

Achilles didn't answer immediately.

His silence was enough.

For the first time, Emerald realized the greatest threat might not be the mysterious organization hunting her.

It might be the secrets her own family had kept hidden for years.