Chapter 179: Reunion in Chaos
[Sera]
Ronan's face suddenly flushed, and he averted his eyes. "I've... I've always admired you, Sera. Ever since you first came to that Thompson family dinner... I've been... drawn to you." His voice grew quieter with each word. "I know you're Uncle Barrett's wife, and I shouldn't feel this way, but I can't help it."
I stared at him in shock, not knowing how to respond to his unexpected confession. My fingers tightened around the glass shard behind my back, my heartbeat quickening.
"I can't stand by and watch them hand you over to Maximilian," Ronan continued, his voice growing more determined. "Whatever my feelings for you are, you don't deserve to be treated like a bargaining chip."
"Ronan, I—"
"You don't need to say anything," he interrupted. "I know you love Uncle Barrett. I just... want to help." He secretly passed me a key card and a small piece of paper. "I took this backup card from Sullivan. It'll open the service elevator on this floor. The note has the blind spots in the security system and the rotation times. There's a maintenance window tomorrow morning from 8:00 to 8:15. That's your best chance."
"Thank you, Ronan." I said sincerely, while maintaining my distance and carefully placing the glass shard on the bedside table behind me.
"Don't thank me," Ronan gave a bitter smile, pain flashing in his eyes. "I just hope someday I find someone who loves me the way you love Barrett." He checked his watch. "I have to go. If they catch me here, we're both done for."
After Ronan left, I memorized the information on the paper before tearing it to pieces and flushing it down the toilet. Clutching the key card and the glass shard, I began mentally planning my escape route.
[Barrett]
By 4:00 AM, I had my team in position near Thompson Tower. The massive glass structure loomed against the still-dark sky, its upper floors glowing with faint lights while the city below remained asleep. We split into three units: one to cut off the building's backup power, another to control the security systems, and the main group, which I led personally, ready to enter the top floor directly.
"The plan is simple," I said into my earpiece, my voice calm despite the rage simmering beneath. "At 8:00 sharp, when the monitoring system goes into maintenance mode, we move simultaneously. The objective is to extract Sera while securing any evidence of Donnell and Maximilian's dealings."
"Sir," Jay's voice came through the earpiece. "Our insider reports that Maximilian has arrived early and is meeting with Donnell now. They plan to take Mrs. Thompson at 7:00 AM."
I felt my focus sharpen to a deadly point. "Change of plans. We move immediately."
[Sera]
I was using Ronan's key card to try opening the service entrance to the suite. The card slid through the reader, a green light flashed, and the lock clicked open. I cautiously peeked out, confirmed the hallway was temporarily empty, and slipped out of the room, following Ronan's map toward the service elevator.
Just as I was about to reach the elevator, I heard footsteps and voices coming from the main corridor. I quickly ducked into a cleaning supply closet, holding my breath.
"Plans have changed," Maximilian's voice came through clearly. "We need to take her earlier. Barrett Thompson has somehow escaped his predicament and might be on his way back."
"Impossible," Donnell's voice was filled with doubt. "All flight paths were blocked."
"Don't underestimate your son's resources, Donnell. We must act before he returns."
The footsteps moved closer to my hiding place. My heart raced. Just as they were about to pass the closet, the entire building suddenly plunged into darkness, with only the emergency red lights providing dim illumination. Then, alarms began to blare.
"What's happening?" Donnell demanded sharply.
"The security system has been compromised!" a guard reported urgently. "Someone's breaching the building!"
I heard Maximilian curse. "Check her room!"
As the footsteps retreated, I seized the opportunity and quickly moved toward the service elevator. Just as the elevator doors opened, I heard a shout behind me: "She's there! Grab her!"
Two guards rushed toward me. I jumped into the elevator and frantically pressed the close button, but one guard managed to reach the doors, forcing them open.
"You're not going anywhere, Mrs. Thompson," the guard sneered, reaching for me.
In that moment, I made a shocking decision. I quickly pulled out the glass shard hidden in my sleeve and held its sharp edge against my own throat.
"Back off!" My voice was steady, my eyes determined. "One step closer, and I'll cut my own throat. Do you think Maximilian would want a corpse?"
The guard froze, his hand suspended in midair, unwilling to risk it. "Calm down, Mrs. Thompson. We don't want to hurt you."
"Then step back!" I pressed the shard closer to my neck, a tiny drop of blood appearing. "You know what I mean to Barrett. What do you think he would do to the people responsible for my death?"
The guard hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances with his partner.
"Let her calm down," the second guard said quietly. "I'll get Maximilian."
Just as the second guard turned, a crisp gunshot rang out in the elevator. The first guard fell, revealing Barrett standing behind him, holding a silenced pistol.
"Sera!" Barrett rushed toward the elevator, his eyes filled with worry and fury.
I immediately dropped the glass shard and fell into Barrett's embrace, trembling. "Barrett, you came..."
The relief that washed over me was overwhelming. In that moment, with Barrett's arms around me, I knew we still had battles ahead, but at least we were facing them together.