Chapter 178 The Escape Gambit

Chapter 178 The Escape Gambit
[Barrett]

My fingers tightened into a fist, rage boiling inside me even as my mind remained sharp, analyzing the situation. "So Maximilian traded pharmaceutical supplies for Sera, and Donnell and Dominic agreed to it." My voice turned glacial. "They think they can keep me here while Maximilian takes Sera."

"It appears so, sir. I've already begun contacting anyone who might help."

"Jay, activate Shadow Protocol." The words came out with absolute certainty. This was a contingency I'd hoped never to use, but had prepared for nonetheless. "I'll find my way back, one way or another. Tell the Special Response Team to prepare for war."

I ended the call and immediately opened the room's safe, extracting a backup passport and an encrypted phone I'd stored there months ago. As the CEO of Titan Group, I'd learned early that international business and politics could turn dangerous without warning. I'd always maintained escape routes.

Dialing a number from memory, I waited only one ring before it connected. "Activate Blackhawk Plan. Code Red." After delivering the brief instruction, I hung up.

In a hidden hangar in the Swiss Alps, my private security team was now mobilizing an aircraft that existed on no official records. The plane would be ready within hours, flying under diplomatic clearance that couldn't be questioned or traced back to me.

I opened my laptop and activated an encrypted program that gave me access to Titan Group's satellite systems. Within moments, I had eyes on Thompson Tower, scanning for any unusual activity that might indicate Sera's location within.

"Hold on, Sera," I murmured, determination hardening in my eyes. "I'm coming for you."

While waiting for confirmation that my escape route was ready, I methodically packed only essentials into a small bag. My mind calculated each variable, each obstacle I would face. Donnell's involvement meant the full resources of the Thompson family were being used against me. Maximilian's participation added international complications. And Dominic... my brother had finally made his move, thinking he'd found my vulnerability.

They had all made the same critical error – they'd taken what was mine.

My phone vibrated with a secure message: "Hangar 9. 45 minutes."

I grabbed my bag and moved toward the door, my thoughts fixed on Sera. The image of her being held against her will, frightened and confused, sent a fresh surge of cold fury through my veins.

When I returned, there would be consequences. Dominic would learn what it meant to truly face me as an enemy. My father would understand the mistake he'd made in betraying his own son. And Maximilian... I would ensure he never again looked in Sera's direction.

But first, I needed to reach her. Everything else was secondary.

As I moved silently through the hotel's service corridors to avoid being noticed, I mapped out my return to America. From Switzerland to a private airfield outside Paris, then across the Atlantic using channels that couldn't be monitored or blocked. I estimated I could be back within eighteen hours if everything went according to plan.

I stepped into the night air, my resolve solidifying into something harder than steel.

They thought they had caged a wolf. They were about to discover they had merely enraged one.

[Sera]

I tugged at the door handle for the third time, knowing it wouldn't budge but unable to stop myself from trying. The heavy wooden door remained firmly locked from the outside. I crossed the luxurious suite to the floor-to-ceiling windows, pressing my palm against the cool glass as I gazed at the city sprawled below me. The Thompson Tower penthouse offered a breathtaking view of Celeste City, but right now, it was nothing more than a beautiful prison.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to think. Panicking wouldn't help me escape. I systematically checked every possible exit: the main door was locked, the windows were made of bulletproof glass, and even the bathroom mirror was some kind of unbreakable safety glass. They'd thought of everything.

"Think, Sera," I whispered to myself, pacing the room. "There has to be a way out."

I settled on the plush sofa, straining to hear the guards stationed outside. Their muffled conversation drifted through the door.

"When's the shift change?" one voice asked.

"Two in the morning and two in the afternoon," another replied. "Boss says Maximilian is coming to get her himself at nine tomorrow morning, so we need to keep a close eye tonight."

Nine o'clock. Less than ten hours to figure something out. My hand instinctively clenched into a fist, and the thought of my children waiting for me at home made my determination burn even stronger. Alexander and Aurora were probably sleeping peacefully right now, completely unaware that their mother was trapped here. This wasn't just about me anymore—it was about them. I had to get back to my children, back to our family. Barrett must have discovered I was missing by now. He had to be doing everything in his power to find me. I couldn't let Maximilian's scheme succeed. I wouldn't let my family be torn apart like this.

My eyes scanned the room until they landed on a beautiful crystal vase in the corner. An idea formed in my mind. I walked over, pretending to admire its intricate design, then deliberately pushed it off its pedestal. The crash of shattering crystal brought immediate footsteps to the door.

"What happened?" A guard pushed the door open, his hand hovering near his holster.

I put on my best startled expression. "I'm sorry, I accidentally bumped into the vase."

He frowned at the mess on the floor. "Don't touch anything else." Turning to his partner, he added, "Get a broom."

While they were distracted, I knelt down, pretending to help pick up the pieces, and discreetly slipped a sharp shard into my sleeve.

"Step back," the guard warned. "We'll handle this."

I nodded meekly and stood, crossing my arms to hide the glass in my sleeve. "I was just trying to help."

After they cleaned up the mess and left, I carefully removed the glass shard from my sleeve and examined it. The edge was wickedly sharp. "At least now I have a weapon," I murmured, hiding it under the mattress of the bed.

Hours passed as I waited, alternating between pacing and resting. The exhaustion of the day's events began to take its toll, and I must have dozed off because a soft knocking at the door startled me awake. I quickly reached under the mattress, gripping the glass shard, and braced myself.

The door opened quietly, revealing Ronan Thompson's silhouette.

"Ronan?" I whispered in surprise, keeping the shard hidden behind my back. "What are you doing here?"

"Shhh, keep your voice down." He glanced nervously into the hallway. "I... I shouldn't be here. But I overheard my father and grandfather talking. They're going to hand you over to that Valtoria prince."

I remained cautious, keeping my distance. "Why are you helping me?"