Chapter 9 - THE FINAL BREACHThe group hurried into the high-tech security surveillance room tucked behind the study.
On the massive multi-screen display, the live feeds from the estate’s outer perimeter gates showed a horrifying scene.
A fleet of three black unmarked armored vans had smashed straight through the ruined security gates, tearing steel hinges out of the stone pillars. Over a dozen armed men in black tactical gear poured out of the vehicles, carrying heavy breaching tools and assault rifles.
At the front of the tactical squad stood Arthur Sterling himself.
He had bypassed house arrest using a private security chopper, his face twisted into a mask of absolute, psychotic rage. He looked directly into the perimeter dome camera, knowing Michael was watching.
“MICHAEL!” Arthur’s voice boomed through the intercom system, echoing across the estate grounds. “OPEN THE GATES! YOU CANNOT HIDE MY MONEY BEHIND A HOMELESS WHORE AND A NEST OF LAWYERS! GIVE ME THE GIRL AND THE FILES, OR I BURN THIS ENTIRE MANSION TO THE GROUND WITH EVERYONE INSIDE!”
In the corner of the room, little Olivia whimpered, pressing her face into Mrs. Gable’s skirt. “Daddy... what’s happening?”
Michael stood frozen for a split second, rage boiling through his veins. He reached for the master security console to lock down the interior blast shutters.
“Don't lock the shutters, Michael,” Eleanor said. Her voice was terrifyingly calm.
Michael turned. “Grandmother, he has armed mercenaries! They’ll breach the glass in minutes!”
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“Let them try,” Eleanor smiled, her eyes flashing with ice. “Arthur forgot something very important about this house. It wasn't built by him. It was built by me.”
Eleanor reached out her frail hand and pressed a hidden, red-gold master toggle switch embedded beneath the console—a switch that hadn't been activated in twenty-five years.
