Chapter 23 - The Permian Vault
The surviving black sports car pulled up outside the ranch gates, and three armed mercenaries stepped out into the bright sunlight.
From behind the stone ranch archway, Marcus Vance fired three precise shots, neutralizing two of the attackers instantly.
The third mercenary dropped his weapon, throwing his hands high into the air as Ethan approached him with his rifle raised.
"Who sent you here?!" Ethan demanded, his voice echoing across the wide, empty Texas plains.
"Clara Kane... she's inside the old pump house down by the creek!" the mercenary stammered in absolute terror.
Ethan and Marcus walked down the dirt path toward the rusty metal pump house standing near the dry creek bed.
Inside, sitting behind a folding table covered in land maps, was Clara Kane, wearing a dark business suit and sunglasses.
"You have your father's stubbornness, Ethan Vance," Clara remarked coldly, taking off her sunglasses to reveal striking green eyes.
"This oil land belonged to the Kane family long before your father stole it in 1994," she claimed with deep venom.
May you like
"My father bought it legally, Clara," Ethan countered firmly. "And your family's history of murder ends right here today."
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