Chapter 9 - The Siege of the Estate
The massive iron gates of the Whitfield Estate loomed in the darkness, illuminated only by the flashes of lightning.
The sprawling mansion, normally a symbol of immense wealth and power, was currently a heavily fortified fortress.
Four armed mercenaries in tactical gear stood guard at the main entrance, holding assault rifles in the rain.
Daniel parked Elias’s sedan a half-mile down the road, hiding it behind a cluster of thick oak trees.
He turned to Maria, who was shivering violently in the passenger seat, her eyes wide with terror.
“You stay in the car, Maria,” Daniel ordered softly, his tone completely shifting from ruthless boss to protective father figure.
“No,” Maria shook her head fiercely, gripping the door handle.
“She is my daughter, I am going with you.”
Daniel looked at her intensely, seeing the absolute, unbreakable maternal resolve in her eyes.
He nodded slowly, respecting her courage.
“Stay behind Elias and do exactly what I say,” Daniel instructed.
Elias popped the trunk of the sedan, revealing a hidden compartment packed with heavy tactical weaponry.
He tossed Daniel a short-barreled assault rifle and strapped a Kevlar vest over Daniel’s soaked hospital gown.
Elias handed Maria a small, compact pistol and showed her quickly how to disengage the safety.
They moved silently through the dense woods surrounding the estate, entirely avoiding the main roads.
Daniel knew every single blind spot in the sprawling property’s advanced security system because he had personally designed it.
They reached the hidden service entrance near the underground wine cellar.
Elias swiftly neutralized the single guard stationed at the door with a precise sleeper hold.
They slipped inside the dark, cavernous cellar, moving quietly among the expensive wine racks.
“The server room is in the sub-basement, three levels down,” Daniel whispered, leading the way.
“Charles will likely be holding Sophia in my main office on the top floor.”
“I’ll secure the server drive,” Elias offered.
“You get the girl.”
They split up at the main stairwell, Elias descending into the dark basement while Daniel and Maria headed up.
The massive house was eerily silent, the expensive carpets absorbing the sound of their footsteps.
They reached the grand foyer on the main level just as a patrol of three heavily armed guards rounded the corner.
Daniel didn't hesitate.
He raised his rifle and fired three rapid, suppressed shots, dropping all three men instantly before they could even raise their weapons.
Maria gasped, covering her mouth to stifle a scream at the sudden violence.
“Keep moving,” Daniel commanded, stepping over the bodies without a second glance.
They rushed up the sweeping grand staircase toward the executive wing on the top floor.
The heavy mahogany doors to Daniel’s private office were slightly ajar.
Daniel pressed his back against the wall, signaling Maria to stay back.
He heard Charles Voss’s arrogant voice echoing from inside the room.
“Stop crying, you pathetic little brat,” Charles snapped aggressively.
“Your mother isn't coming to save you.”
Maria let out a sharp, terrified sob, unable to control herself upon hearing her daughter cry.
The sound immediately alerted the men inside the office.
“Who is out there?” Charles shouted, the sound of a pistol cocking echoing loudly.
Daniel didn't wait to be ambushed.
He kicked the heavy mahogany doors completely open and stormed into his own office.
Charles Voss was standing behind Daniel’s massive desk, holding a gun directly to three-year-old Sophia’s head.
Four elite mercenaries instantly raised their assault rifles and aimed them squarely at Daniel’s chest.
Daniel lowered his rifle slightly, staring coldly at the man who had tried to murder him.
“Hello, Charles,” Daniel said smoothly.
“I heard you were looking for me.”
Charles smiled wickedly, completely unfazed by Daniel’s dramatic return from the dead.
“You are too late, Daniel,” Charles taunted, pressing the gun harder against Sophia’s temple.
“The encryption drive has already been uploaded, and the board has officially voted you out.”
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Charles looked at his mercenaries and gave the final order.
“Kill him.”
