Chapter 22
The private elevator chimed softly as it arrived at the penthouse. Marcus stepped out into the hallway, his suppressed pistol raised and ready. Unlike the chaotic warzone below, the upper floor was eerily silent. The thick Persian carpets absorbed his footsteps entirely. His heart pounded wildly in his chest with the thrilling anticipation of absolute victory.
He approached the heavy oak door of the nursery. Just as he predicted, the guards had abandoned their posts to fight in the garden. With a triumphant sneer, Marcus grabbed the brass doorknob, ready to seize the little girls.
The door was deadlocked.
"Open this door, or I will blast the lock to pieces!" Marcus threatened, aiming his weapon.
From inside, Catherine’s sharp, unwavering voice called out. "Uncle Marcus, you shouldn't be here. Put the gun down before you do something you will regret."
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"Catherine, open the damn door! Do not force me to kill you!" Marcus roared, his patience entirely depleted. He stepped back and fired two suppressed rounds directly into the locking mechanism. He violently kicked the splintered wood, bursting into the room.
The bed was empty. The children were gone. Standing in the center of the room was Catherine, dressed in tactical black, aiming a loaded submachine gun directly at his chest.
