Chapter 7 - THE BREAK-IN AT THE MANORThe private care facility in Chelsea was not an orphanage—it was a heavily guarded, gated estate owned by a subsidiary of Rhodes Financial. High concrete walls, security cameras every ten feet, and private guards patrolling the perimeter.
At 7:15 AM, a sleek black limousine smashed straight through the iron security gates, tearing them off their hinges with a deafening screech of metal!
Guards rushed toward the vehicle, drawing their weapons, but before they could reach it, two black vans swarmed the driveway. Viktor’s men leaped out, firing non-lethal flashbang grenades that blinded and disoriented the private security team.
Chaos erupted on the pristine green lawns.
Elliot didn't wait for the smoke to clear. He sprinted past the disoriented guards, kicking open the heavy oak front doors of the estate. Naomi was right behind him, holding a metal wrench she had grabbed from the van.
“Bella!” Naomi screamed, her voice echoing down the opulent marble hallway. “BELLA!”
From the top of the grand staircase, a voice yelled back: “GET THEM OUT OF HERE! CALL THE POLICE!”
It was Camille.
She stood at the top of the stairs, wearing a silk robe, her hair disheveled, holding Bella by the hand. Bella was sobbing, her small tears soaking her pajama top, holding her stuffed elephant tightly against her chest.
“Mommy! Mommy!” Bella screamed, trying to pull away from Camille’s grip.
“Let go of her, Camille!” Elliot roared, taking three steps up the stairs at a time.
Camille pulled a small snub-nosed revolver from her robe pocket and pointed it directly at Elliot’s chest!
“DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!” Camille shrieked, her eyes wild, her composure entirely shattered. “You ruined everything, Elliot! The stock is worthless! My father is being arrested by the FBI right now! You destroyed my family!”
“You destroyed yourself!” Elliot yelled, stopping on the stairs, his hands raised open. “Put the gun down, Camille! Look at what you’re doing! You’re pointing a gun at a child!”
“She’s not a child, she’s the evidence that ruined my life!” Camille screamed, her finger tightening on the trigger.
Naomi didn't hesitate.
She didn't wait for Elliot to negotiate. She didn't think about the bullet. Naomi charged up the stairs, throwing her entire body weight into Camille!
BANG!
A gunshot exploded through the foyer, shattering a massive crystal chandelier overhead! Glass rained down like glittering ice.
Naomi and Camille tumbled down the carpeted stairs together, wrestling violently for the weapon. Camille hit her head hard against the wooden banister at the bottom, the revolver flying out of her hand and sliding across the marble floor.
Camille lay unconscious, bleeding slightly from her forehead.
Naomi scrambled to her feet, gasping for air, bruised and bleeding from glass cuts on her arm, but she immediately looked up.
At the top of the stairs, Bella was crouching near the railing, shivering, tears streaming down her dirty cheeks.
“Mommy?” Bella whimpered.
Naomi rushed up the stairs, sliding on her knees, and pulled Bella into a fierce, desperate embrace. “I’m here baby! Mommy’s here! You’re safe! I’ve got you!”
Elliot reached the top of the stairs, his chest heaving, his heart beating out of his ribs. He knelt down beside Naomi and wrapped his arms around both of them.
Bella looked up from Naomi’s shoulder, her small, wet eyes meeting Elliot’s.
She held out her tiny, tear-stained hand, placing the stuffed elephant gently against Elliot’s cheek.
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“Ellie Elephant saved us,” Bella whispered.
Elliot broke down, tears finally spilling down his face as he kissed his daughter’s forehead. “Yeah, baby. He sure did.”
