The Forgotten Heiress

Chapter 17: Fire and Resolve

Chapter 17: Fire and Resolve

The attack came just before dawn.

I was still in my father’s office when the first alarm went off. Red lights flashed across the security panels on the wall. Marcus was already on his feet, grabbing his phone.

“Fire on the ground floor near the east entrance,” he said quickly. “Two men forced their way in. They’re carrying something.”

I didn’t hesitate.

“Get everyone out of the lower levels. Lock down the upper floors. I’m going down.”

Marcus grabbed my arm before I could leave the room.

“No. It’s too dangerous. Let the security team handle it.”

I looked at him.

“This is my building. My name. I’m not hiding while they try to burn it down.”

He studied my face for a second, then nodded.

“Fine. But I’m coming with you.”

We moved fast. The elevator was shut down for safety, so we took the stairs. As we reached the second floor, I could already smell smoke. The air was getting thicker.

When we reached the ground floor, chaos greeted us.

Two masked men were near the main entrance. One was pouring liquid from a large container onto the floor while the other stood guard with a metal pipe. Flames were already licking up one of the walls.

Security guards were trying to get close, but the man with the pipe was swinging wildly.

I stepped forward.

“Stop!” I shouted.

Both men turned. The one pouring the liquid paused for a second.

I recognized the eyes behind the mask. It was the same man who had been in the black car that night Marcus and I were chased.

He smiled coldly.

“Too late, princess.”

He dropped the container and pulled out a lighter.

Marcus moved fast. He tackled the man before he could light it. They crashed to the floor, struggling. The other attacker ran toward the exit, but two of our guards caught him.

I rushed forward and kicked the lighter away from the man Marcus was fighting. It skidded across the floor and stopped near the wall.

The man on the ground tried to reach for it again, but Marcus pinned his arms down.

I knelt in front of him and pulled off his mask.

It was the same man from the photos. One of Victor Lang’s people.

“Why?” I asked, my voice shaking with anger. “Why are you doing this?”

He spat on the floor and glared at me.

“Because your family should have stayed dead. Some things are better left buried.”

Before I could respond, one of the guards shouted from the entrance.

“Ma’am! We caught the other one trying to escape. He’s talking. He said Sophia sent them. She gave the order herself.”

I stood up slowly.

The smoke was getting worse, but the fire had been stopped before it could spread. People were already bringing extinguishers.

Marcus got off the man and let the guards take him away.

He looked at me.

“You okay?”

I nodded, even though my hands were still shaking.

“I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t.

Sophia had crossed the final line.

She hadn’t just tried to threaten me or take my name. She had tried to burn down the last piece of my family’s legacy.

I looked around at the smoke-stained walls and the damaged entrance.

Then I turned to Marcus.

“Call Elena and Thomas. Tell them to speed everything up. I want every legal action against Sophia and her family started by tomorrow morning.”

Marcus studied my face.

“What are you going to do?”

I looked toward the broken doors where the morning light was beginning to come in.

“I’m going to end this,” I said. “Once and for all.”