Chapter 3 - The Secret Vault
Arthur snatched the rusted brass key from the sobbing housekeeper.
He marched purposefully toward the massive wooden door that led down into the sprawling wine cellar.
The air grew intensely cold and damp as he descended the spiral stone staircase.
He turned on his high-powered flashlight because the basement electricity had been completely cut off.
Row after row of expensive vintage wine bottles collected dust in the absolute darkness.
Arthur moved deeper into the cavernous room until he reached the solid brick wall at the very back.
He noticed a small, concealed keyhole cleverly hidden behind a loose stone.
He inserted the rusted key and turned it with all of his remaining strength.
A massive section of the brick wall slowly groaned and swung outward on hidden steel hinges.
Arthur stepped into the secret, heavily fortified room hidden beneath his family home.
The flashlight beam illuminated a massive electronic server bank and hundreds of classified legal documents.
He picked up a thick folder from the metal desk and read the first page.
Victoria had secretly forged his signature to completely transfer ownership of his billion-dollar corporation to an offshore shell company.
She was planning to murder his daughter and bankrupt him simultaneously.
Arthur pulled out his secure cellular phone to call the federal authorities immediately.
Suddenly, the heavy brick wall aggressively slammed shut behind him.
The electronic locking mechanism clicked loudly in the pitch-black room.
Arthur rushed to the wall and desperately pounded his fists against the solid stone.
A small speaker crackled to life in the corner of the ceiling.
Victoria's cold, mocking laughter echoed loudly into the confined space.
She arrogantly thanked him for stepping perfectly into her final trap.
She revealed that she had already bribed his entire security detail while he was overseas.
Victoria informed him that the ventilation system had just been disabled.
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Arthur heard a terrifying hissing sound coming from the metal vents above his head.
A thick, toxic green gas rapidly began to fill the completely sealed underground vault.
