Chapter 4 - The Inside Job
The chilling revelation hung in the air of the master bathroom, suffocating all the remaining hope Clara had left.
The head of security, Marcus, had worked for Arthur's family for over a decade.
"If Marcus is working for Vivian, we can't trust any of the guards on this estate," Clara whispered, terrified by the sheer scale of the betrayal.
Arthur nodded slowly, his grip tightening around the black handgun in his hand.
"He knows every blind spot on the property and every access code to this house," Arthur explained.
"We have to leave the estate tonight before he regroups and comes back with reinforcements."
Arthur grabbed a large duffel bag from his closet and began stuffing it with cash, passports, and essential baby supplies.
"Where can we possibly go that they won't immediately look for us?" Clara asked, securing Leo tightly in a portable baby carrier against her chest.
"I have a safe house in the city that isn't registered under my name," Arthur replied, zipping the heavy bag shut.
They carefully crept out of the master suite, moving silently through the dark, massive corridors of the mansion.
The red emergency lights had stopped flashing, plunging the entire house into absolute, terrifying darkness.
Arthur led the way with a small tactical flashlight, keeping his weapon raised and ready.
They reached the subterranean garage without encountering anyone, the silence feeling heavier and more dangerous with every step.
Arthur unlocked his reinforced, armored SUV and quickly helped Clara into the passenger seat.
The heavy engine roared to life, echoing loudly against the concrete walls of the underground bunker.
Arthur slammed his foot on the gas, bursting through the wooden garage doors and speeding onto the dark driveway.
The massive iron gates at the front of the estate were securely locked, controlled by the severed security system.
Arthur did not even tap the brakes.
The heavy armored vehicle smashed through the iron gates, tearing the metal hinges apart with a deafening screech.
They sped onto the dark, winding highway, leaving the corrupted estate far behind them.
Clara finally let out a breath she felt like she had been holding for an eternity.
"We made it," Clara sighed, looking down at the sleeping baby strapped safely to her chest.
Arthur kept his eyes locked on the road, his knuckles white as they gripped the leather steering wheel.
"We won't be truly safe until Vivian and Marcus are both behind bars," Arthur muttered darkly.
Suddenly, Arthur's cell phone lit up in the center console, vibrating violently against the plastic.
The caller ID displayed the name of the local police precinct's lead detective.
Arthur pressed the speaker button, never taking his eyes off the dark road ahead.
"Mr. Sterling, I am calling with an urgent update regarding your fiancée, Vivian," the detective's voice echoed through the car.
"She isn't my fiancée anymore, Detective, and she just tried to have my son murdered," Arthur replied coldly.
There was a long, heavy pause on the other end of the line.
May you like
"That is impossible, Mr. Sterling," the detective finally said, his voice laced with grim finality.
"We just pulled Vivian's car from the bottom of the gorge, and the coroner has officially declared her dead on the scene."
