Chapter 4 - The Gala Ambush
Mara squeezed Edward’s arm in sheer panic as she recognized the deadly shape hidden beneath Peter’s jacket.
She leaned in close to Edward’s ear, pretending to whisper an affectionate secret while keeping a bright smile plastered on her face.
"Peter is standing by the center display case, and he is fully armed," Mara breathed desperately.
Edward did not break his confident stride, nor did his charming, relaxed expression falter for a single second.
"Keep walking, keep smiling, and do not look directly at him," Edward commanded softly, his hand covering hers protectively.
They glided across the marble floor of the ballroom, seamlessly navigating through the large crowds of wealthy art collectors and city officials.
Edward smoothly guided Mara toward a massive marble pillar, effectively blocking Peter's direct line of sight.
"My elite security team is everywhere in this room, Mara, so he will not risk a public assassination," Edward assured her in a low voice.
"Then why would he bring a lethal weapon to a heavily guarded charity gala?" Mara asked, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.
"Because the gun is not meant for us, it is meant for the armored guards handling the diamond transfer tonight," Edward deduced grimly.
Mara gasped, suddenly remembering the highly confidential schedule she had filed earlier that week.
The museum was planning to transfer several authentic, priceless loose diamonds into the underground vault precisely at midnight.
"Peter is using the gala as a massive distraction to rob the museum's underground vault tonight," Mara realized with absolute horror.
Edward nodded quickly, pulling his cell phone from his pocket to alert his head of security.
Before he could dial the number, the massive crystal chandeliers above them flickered wildly and suddenly completely shattered.
The entire grand ballroom was instantly plunged into pitch-black darkness, followed immediately by the terrified screams of the wealthy guests.
Mara felt a strong hand grab her waist and violently pull her safely behind the solid marble pillar just as a loud crash echoed near the display cases.
"Stay exactly behind me, Mara," Edward ordered, drawing a sleek, black firearm from an ankle holster she hadn't known he was wearing.
The chaotic sounds of shattering glass and panicking socialites completely drowned out the heavy footsteps rapidly approaching their position.
A sharp beam from a tactical flashlight suddenly cut through the darkness, sweeping frantically across the marble floor.
Mara held her breath, pressing her back flat against the cold stone of the pillar.
The beam of light passed right over their hiding spot, moving swiftly toward the restricted employee stairwell that led down to the vaults.
"He is heading straight for the basement, and my security team is completely trapped managing the panic in the lobby," Edward whispered aggressively.
"I know the fastest route through the service corridors, we can easily beat him to the vault doors," Mara offered without any hesitation.
Edward looked at her in the dim emergency lighting, his expression a mixture of profound admiration and deep concern.
"It is incredibly dangerous, Mara, and I cannot guarantee I can perfectly protect you in the dark," Edward warned her sincerely.
"This is my museum too, Edward, and I am not letting him destroy it," Mara declared, kicking off her expensive high heels.
She grabbed Edward’s hand and led him away from the screaming crowd, slipping silently through a hidden catering door.
They navigated the dark, familiar service hallways relying entirely on Mara's expert memory of the building's complex layout.
They rushed down a narrow concrete stairwell, the heavy sound of their breathing echoing loudly off the damp walls.
When they finally reached the sub-basement level, the thick titanium door of the main vault was already standing wide open.
Mara crept forward, peering cautiously around the corner into the brightly lit interior of the safe room.
Peter was furiously shoving handfuls of velvet pouches filled with diamonds into a heavy black duffel bag.
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But Peter was not working alone.
Standing right beside him, holding a high-powered rifle and directing the theft, was the museum's trusted chief of security.
