Chapter 2 - The Blockade
The two uniformed security guards stood squarely in the arched corridor, their expressions stoic but unyielding. Eleanor had maintained absolute control over the estate for forty years, and the staff answered only to her checkbook.
""Let us pass, Marcus,"" Julian said, his jaw locked tight. ""My son has a high fever. This is a medical emergency.""
The guard glanced anxiously toward the dining room where Eleanor calmly blotted her lips with a linen napkin. ""Madam Vance’s orders, sir. No one departs until the dinner reception is formally adjourned.""
""Are you insane?"" Amy cried out, tears spilling down her cheeks as she rested a trembling palm against baby Leo’s burning forehead. ""He needs emergency care! Look at him!""
Julian stepped forward, chest practically touching Marcus’s chest. The air in the corridor turned razor-thin. ""If anything happens to my boy because of this delay, I will ruin you. Stand aside or I will remove you myself.""
Marcus hesitated, the legal implications finally cutting through his obedience. Seeing the guard waver, Eleanor stood up from the head of the table, her heels clicking authoritatively on the marble. ""Stand your ground, Marcus. Julian, you will behave like a Vance. Bring the boy here. Our private doctor is already on call.""
""Your private doctor who writes reports tailored to your narrative?"" Julian spat. He shoved Marcus aside with brute force, grabbing Amy’s hand and dashing toward the side service entrance.
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They broke through the heavy oak door into the chilly evening air, running across the gravel path toward Julian’s sedan. Julian hit the unlock button, but the car’s headlights remained dead.
The estate groundskeeper stepped out of the shadows, holding Julian’s car battery cable in his grease-stained hand.
