Chapter 2 - The Hostile Takeover
The security guards moved closer, their heavy boots thudding against the polished marble floor.
Elias did not take a single step back, his eyes analyzing every movement the men made.
"Daddy, I want to go home," the little girl whispered, hiding her face against his worn jeans.
Elias gently stroked her hair, keeping his voice steady and calm for her sake.
"Everything is fine, Lily," he promised softly.
Marcus sneered at the touching moment, thoroughly enjoying his new sense of power.
"Throw him out onto the street, but make sure you check his pockets first," Marcus ordered the guards.
The saleswoman, Vanessa, swallowed hard and took a step back, realizing the situation was escalating dangerously.
The largest guard reached out a massive hand to grab Elias by the shoulder.
Before the guard could even touch the grey hoodie, Elias moved with terrifying speed.
He twisted the guard's wrist, applied a pressure point lock, and forced the giant man to his knees in less than a second.
The store fell completely silent again, everyone staring in absolute shock at the supposedly poor man.
"I built this company from the ground up, and I hired every single security team in this building," Elias warned them.
The other two guards hesitated, recognizing the combat technique that only top-tier military contractors used.
Marcus gritted his teeth, his arrogant smile finally disappearing.
"Are you idiots just going to stand there?" Marcus yelled.
Arthur stepped in front of Lily, shielding her from the violence unfolding in the center of the room.
The remaining two guards drew their batons, deciding their paycheck was worth the risk.
Suddenly, the heavy glass doors at the front of the store shattered inward.
A tear gas canister rolled across the floor, spinning and hissing as thick grey smoke filled the air.
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Someone was trying to trap all of them inside.
Through the blinding smoke, the red laser sights of unknown weapons pointed directly at Elias's chest.
