Chapter 16 - The Counter-Strike
The public backlash against Cross Industries and the corrupt regulatory board members was catastrophic. Within hours, boycotted protests formed outside the Cross headquarters. The government was forced to lift the injunction against Vanguard to avoid a massive economic collapse at the ports.
However, a cornered predator is the most dangerous. Realizing her corporate empire was crumbling, Victoria Cross decided to eliminate the problem permanently.
Late that evening, as Clara and Julian were driving back from the port terminal along the winding coastal highway, a massive, unmarked semi-truck swerved out of the darkness, intentionally ramming their vehicle from behind.
The impact sent their car spinning across the slick, rain-drenched asphalt. Julian fought desperately to maintain control of the wheel, but the truck struck them a second time, pushing them toward the edge of the sheer cliff overlooking the jagged rocks below.
"Clara, hold on!" Julian shouted, throwing his body across the center console to shield her as the car crashed through the metal guardrail.
May you like
The vehicle flipped violently, rolling down the steep embankment before coming to a brutal stop against a massive pine tree, just feet away from the raging ocean waves below.
Smoke poured from the crumpled hood. Inside, Clara opened her eyes, coughing through the thick dust of the deployed airbags. She looked down at Julian. He was unconscious, his head resting against the shattered steering wheel, blood dripping down his temple. The sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel outside signaled that the drivers of the truck were coming down the cliff to finish the job.
