Chapter 6 - The Lockdown
The Sterling estate transformed from a citadel into a maximum-security prison. Private, heavily armed security contractors patrolled the hallways. The internet was severed. Cell phone signals were jammed. The air inside the mansion grew stale, thick with paranoia and impending violence.
The staff were herded into the grand dining room like cattle. Fifty maids, butlers, and chefs stood in terrified silence, surrounded by men with assault rifles.
Arthur Sterling paced in front of them, holding a silver pistol. He was no longer the polished billionaire; he was a cornered animal.
"Someone in this room leaked our private communications to the press," Arthur growled, his eyes sweeping over the trembling servants. "You are all replaceable. Every single one of you. I will start shooting one of you every hour until the rat steps forward."
He raised the pistol, pointing it directly at the head chef. The chef fell to his knees, sobbing and begging for his life.
Beatrice stood in the second row, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs. She couldn't let innocent people die for her actions. She gripped the USB drive in her pocket, preparing to step forward and accept her fate.
"Father, wait."
Damian stepped out from the shadows of the doorway. He looked at the line of servants, his gaze locking onto Beatrice with chilling certainty.
"It's not the chef," Damian said smoothly, walking up to his father and gently pushing the gun down. "The chef barely knows how to use a microwave, let alone an encrypted server."
Damian turned to face Beatrice. The entire room seemed to hold its breath.
"It's my personal attendant," Damian announced, his voice echoing in the silent room. "Isn't it, Beatrice? You stole the drive from the study. You passed the message to Senator Hayes at the gala. You are the phantom who decided to play God."
Arthur’s head snapped toward her, his eyes blazing with a demonic fury. He raised the gun, aiming it directly at Beatrice’s chest.
"No!" Damian stepped in front of her, shielding her from his father. "If you shoot her, we never find the physical drive. The press only has a fraction of the data. Without the master drive, they have no proof in a court of law. She hid it. Let me handle her."
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Arthur lowered the gun, his jaw clenched tight enough to crack his teeth. "You have one hour, Damian. If she doesn't give it up, I'll skin her alive myself."
Damian grabbed Beatrice by the arm, dragging her violently out of the dining room and toward the lower levels of the estate. The true nightmare had begun.
