Chapter 4 - The Phantom Threat
Elias stared at the dead phone, his jaw locked in intense concentration.
His own brother, Julian, had orchestrated this entire nightmare to seize the family empire.
Arthur noticed the grim expression on his boss's face and immediately understood the gravity of the situation.
"Sir, if Julian is behind this, those men outside are not standard criminals," Arthur warned.
Elias nodded slowly, knowing Julian only hired elite mercenaries who left no loose ends.
Suddenly, a loud drilling sound echoed through the reinforced steel door of the VIP room.
The mercenaries were using a thermal lance to melt straight through the heavy locks.
Sparks flew across the dark room, casting terrifying shadows against the walls.
"Daddy, what is that noise?" Lily asked, burying her face into his chest.
"Just fireworks, sweetie, don't look," Elias lied smoothly, kissing the top of her head.
Marcus backed away from the door, his face completely pale as the reality of his mistake set in.
"Julian told me this would be a simple corporate takeover," Marcus stammered, panicking.
Elias glared at the corporate snake, disgusted by his naive greed.
"You were just a pawn to get me out in the open, Marcus," Elias explained coldly.
The metal door glowed bright orange as the heat intensified.
Elias scanned the room, looking for anything he could use as a weapon.
He grabbed a heavy solid gold statue from a display shelf and handed Arthur a diamond-testing laser pen.
"Vanessa, take Lily and hide behind the main safe," Elias ordered.
The saleswoman nodded frantically, scooping the little girl up and running to the back of the room.
The heavy steel door finally gave way with a massive crash, falling inward and crushing the marble tiles.
Three men in tactical gear stepped through the smoke, heavily armed and silent.
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The lead mercenary pointed his weapon at Elias and pulled a folded document from his tactical vest.
"Sign the transfer of all company assets over to Julian, or we take the girl," the mercenary demanded.
