Chapter 23 - The Final Arrest of Victoria
NYPD SWAT officers swarmed the museum hall, pinning the remaining mercenaries to the floor at gunpoint.
Victoria lay bleeding on the marble, her unhinged screams echoing uselessly against the ancient stone walls.
"Get her to the hospital under armed guard!" the SWAT commander ordered, kicking her weapon away.
Julian lay on his back nearby, breathing shallowly as paramedics rushed to apply pressure to his chest wound.
Clara knelt beside Julian, pressing a cloth against his wound, her eyes filled with complex, conflicting emotions.
"I... I protected you... this time, Clara..." Julian whispered weakly, his vision fading around the edges.
"Don't talk, Julian," Clara murmured gently. "Save your strength."
Arthur stood over them, his burgundy jacket stained with soot, his silver hair still standing impeccably neat.
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"He did one good thing in his life," Arthur noted quietly as the medical team loaded Julian onto a stretcher.
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