Chapter 3 - The Subterranean Vault
Nathaniel’s phone buzzed violently in his hand.
His chief security officer, Marcus, entered through the front double doors, accompanied by four armed private guards.
"Sir, the satellite lines and internal servers have been secured," Marcus reported briskly.
"We traced the local signal jammers installed in the east wing."
Nathaniel didn't waste a second. He pulled Claire gently against his side.
"Where did she keep you, Claire?" Nathaniel asked, his voice softening to a gentle whisper.
Claire raised her small, bruised finger, pointing past the grand staircase toward the narrow service door beneath the pantry.
"Under the wine cellar..." Claire whispered, her voice trembling.
"Behind the iron door... where the old boiler used to be."
Vanessa tried to run up the stairs toward her bedroom.
"Block the stairs!" Nathaniel commanded.
Two guards instantly moved, blocking Vanessa’s path with drew weapons.
"Get your hands off me!" Vanessa screamed, thrashing wildly against the guards.
"This is my house! I am the managing director of Whitmore Enterprises!"
"You were the temporary proxy, Vanessa," Nathaniel corrected her in a terrifyingly calm voice.
May you like
"And as of thirty seconds ago, your proxy is revoked, your accounts are frozen, and your life is over."
Nathaniel took the heavy brass key ring from Harrison's pocket and walked toward the service door.
