Chapter 4 - The Poisoned Cage
Ethan immediately grabbed a heavy brass lamp and violently smashed the bedroom window.
But behind the expensive glass was a thick, impenetrable layer of reinforced steel security mesh.
The estate had recently been upgraded to withstand a full military siege, turning the bedroom into a perfect cage.
The white gas was filling the room rapidly, making it incredibly difficult to breathe or think clearly.
Sarah coughed violently, her legs giving out as she collapsed onto the plush bedroom carpet.
Ethan ripped his shirt off and soaked it in water from the adjoining bathroom sink.
He tied the wet fabric over Sarah's face to filter the toxic fumes, but he knew they only had minutes left.
He searched the walls frantically for the manual override switch for the ventilation system.
His vision started to blur, and his chest burned with every desperate, shallow breath.
He finally spotted a small maintenance panel hidden behind a large oil painting of the family.
He ripped the painting down and used the heavy lamp base to smash the panel open.
He violently yanked a handful of thick red wires, instantly killing the power to the entire upper floor.
The hissing sound of the gas finally stopped, and the heavy electronic deadbolt released with a loud click.
Ethan carried Sarah's semi-conscious body out into the dark hallway, gasping for clean air.
They stumbled down the grand staircase, desperately trying to reach the front doors.
The massive chandelier above the foyer flickered back to life, flooding the entrance with blinding light.
Standing calmly at the bottom of the stairs was Vanessa, entirely free of her fake pregnancy belly.
She was wearing Sarah's favorite designer dress and holding a very real, very sharp kitchen knife.
Beside her stood David, the trusted corporate lawyer, holding the stolen millions in a heavy duffel bag.
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David pointed a gun directly at Ethan's chest and smiled a cold, unforgiving smile.
He politely asked Ethan and Sarah to step back upstairs and die quietly.
