Full Story : Evelyn thought she was the puppet master. She was just a pawn in a much darker game. / Chapter 5 / 20

Chapter 5 - Whispers of the DeadBefore Harrison’s finger could tighten on his trigger, a high-pitched frequency screamed through the vault’s PA system. The white LED lights inside the chamber suddenly turned blood-red.

From the central console beside Arthur's leather-bound journal, a holographic projector snapped to life, casting a six-foot-tall image of a distinguished, dark-haired man into the center of the vault.

It was Lord Arthur Sterling.

"If you are watching this recording, Julian," Arthur’s projected voice echoed with chilling authority, "it means you have finally tracked my daughter to this sanctuary. And it means you still haven't realized that I was three steps ahead of you until my final breath."

Julian stood frozen, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at his dead rival’s image. "What trick is this?"

"Thirty seconds ago," Arthur’s hologram continued, "when my grandson’s DNA unlocked this door, an automated protocol dispatched a silent alert to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Major Crimes Division. Furthermore, the floor beneath your feet is rigged with high-grade magnetic locks."

Instantly, a surge of electromagnetic force pulsed through the steel floorboards.

Harrison’s assault rifle, along with every firearm held by the tactical guards, was instantly yanked from their hands by the floor's massive magnetic current, slamming violently onto the metal ground with deafening clatters.

"Now, Victor!" Mia screamed.

Victor didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, sweeping Harrison’s legs out from under him and driving a heavy right hook into the corrupt officer’s jaw. Harrison crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

Mia grabbed Arthur’s leather-bound journal and the central black hard drive from the pedestal, clutching Tommy with her other arm as she sprinted toward the vault's secondary emergency exit—a narrow spiral staircase leading up to the street level.

"Grab her!" Julian shrieked, struggling to move against the pull of his silver cane, which was pinned flat against the magnetic floor. "Shoot them!"

The guards scrambled across the slick floor, reaching for their weapons, but Victor grabbed an iron door lever and slammed the vault’s emergency secondary blast shield down, trapping Julian and his men inside the main chamber.