Chapter 4 - The Digital Lockdown
The entire hallway descended into absolute panic as Chloe writhed on the floor.
The corrupt police captain was so startled that he accidentally dropped his grip on my baby.
Marcus lunged forward with lightning speed and caught my daughter safely in his massive arms.
The police officers who were holding me instantly let go to draw their weapons.
Doctors rushed out of nearby rooms to attend to Chloe's sudden medical emergency.
Through her bloody coughing fit, Chloe pointed a trembling finger at Dominic.
"He poisoned my coffee this morning," she gasped out.
"He knew I was going to testify against him for the offshore fraud!"
Dominic stood at the end of the hallway, a sinister smile spreading across his handsome face.
Arthur glared at the police captain.
"Are you still going to protect a man who just murdered his mistress in plain sight?" Arthur challenged.
The captain looked at Dominic, realizing he had backed the wrong horse.
"Arrest him!" the captain shouted to his officers.
The officers charged toward Dominic with their handcuffs ready.
Dominic simply chuckled and pulled his smartphone from his jacket pocket.
He pressed a single button on the screen.
Instantly, thick steel security shutters slammed down over every single window and door in the hospital.
The emergency lights flickered on, bathing the corridor in an eerie red glow.
"I spent a lot of money hacking this hospital's mainframe last night," Dominic announced.
"Every electronic door is now permanently locked."
"We are completely sealed inside this building."
I stared at him, realizing he had been planning this elaborate trap for months.
Dominic looked directly at my father.
"I want one billion dollars transferred to my untraceable cryptocurrency wallet right now," Dominic demanded.
"If you do not pay me within ten minutes, I will shut off the oxygen supply to the entire neonatal intensive care unit."
Dozens of innocent babies would die because of his insane greed.
Arthur clenched his fists, knowing he had no choice but to negotiate with a terrorist.
"I will transfer the funds, but you must unlock the doors immediately," Arthur agreed.
Dominic laughed triumphantly as Arthur pulled out his encrypted satellite phone to authorize the massive payment.
I looked around the hallway and suddenly noticed something terrifying.
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While everyone was distracted by the lockdown and the negotiation, Eleanor had quietly slipped away.
And Marcus was no longer holding my baby.
