Chapter 7 - the breach at the estate
By 9:00 PM, a massive thunderstorm raged over New York Harbor. Wind howled through the high pine trees surrounding the Turner estate, and rain lashed against the glass windows.
Inside the grand master suite on the second floor, Emily sat on the plush velvet sofa, holding eight-year-old Lily in her arms. The little girl was fast asleep, her pale-gold dress slightly wrinkled, her silver tiara resting on the nightstand beside a glass of warm milk.
Vincent stood near the fireplace, wearing a dark navy wool sweater over his white dress shirt, reviewing private financial documents.
Suddenly, the lights across the entire estate flickered violently and died, plunging the mansion into total darkness!
The low hum of the emergency backup generator kicked in three seconds later, casting dim amber nightlights along the floorboards.
Vincent's newly awakened hearing instantly picked up a sound that no one else could have noticed—the sharp, subtle crunch of glass breaking near the ground-floor conservatory!
"Emily," Vincent said softly, drawing his heavy silver revolver from his shoulder holster in a single fluid motion. "Take Lily into the panic room behind the wardrobe."
Emily stood up instantly, her pale face tight with concern. "Vincent... be careful."
"No one touches my family under this roof," Vincent promised, stepping toward the door.
He moved through the dark hallway like a silent shadow. Guided by his acute sense of hearing, he tracked the faint rustle of heavy tactical boots ascending the grand marble staircase.
Three mercenaries dressed in black tactical gear, carrying silenced submachine guns, stepped onto the second-floor landing! They were Victor Turner's private strike team sent from Chicago!
Vincent didn't wait for them to acquire a target. He stepped out from the archway shadow and fired three precise, devastating shots!
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The heavy rounds tore through the lead mercenary's chest, sending him crashing backward down the marble stairs!
Vincent advanced through the dark corridor with broad, terrifying strength, disarming the second attacker with a swift, crushing blow, using his newly discovered hearing to track every footstep in the dark with lethal efficiency.
