Chapter 4 - The Manor Under SiegeThe estate iron gates, half a mile down the winding driveway of red oaks, sounded a low electronic chime through the mansion’s intercom system. Three black SUVs had breached the outer perimeter without gate authorization.
"That isn't local authorities," Bennett said, wiping grease from his hands. "Board security. Private contractors. They aren't coming to negotiate, Mr. Vance. If Clara walks out of these gates and reaches the federal courthouse in Trenton, four multinational executives face life sentences."
Julian carried Clara into the library. Lily sat tucked into the kneehole of the antique desk, clutching a worn storybook. When she saw her mother, her small face crumpled not in terror, but in profound confusion. Clara sank to the Persian rug, opening her trembling, bruised arms. Lily crept forward, touching Clara’s cheek with one hesitant finger before burying her face against Clara’s neck.
"Mommy smells like the rain," the little girl murmured softly.
"We have twenty minutes before they breach the inner courtyard," Julian said, barricading the oak doors with an iron fire iron. "Bennett, why help us now?"
"My daughter passed from leukemia six years ago," Bennett said quietly, staring at the floorboards. "I took your father’s money because I didn't care about anything anymore. But watching that little girl search the floorboards every afternoon... nobody deserves that hell."
"Is there an exit they don't monitor?" Clara asked, her voice strengthening through sheer maternal instinct.
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"The old carriage aqueduct," Julian realized. "It flows south toward the river. But it’s sealed with floodgates."
"Not from the inside," Bennett replied. "Follow me."
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