Chapter 11 - Inside the Viper’s Den

The iron gates of the Arthur estate loomed in the distance like the entrance to a dark fortress.

Gleaming luxury cars were parked along the grand cobblestone driveway.

Inside the mansion, warm golden lights blazed through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

Grandfather Arthur was throwing his annual charity gala, blissfully unaware that his private network had been compromised.

Mark parked Sarah’s sedan under the cover of dense oak trees three hundred yards from the main gate.

He turned back to look at Lily, who was sitting quietly in the back seat holding a stuffed bear Sarah had given her.

"Lily, stay right here with Sarah," Mark said softly, his voice firm yet full of gentle warmth.

"No matter what you hear, do not leave this car."

"Daddy, are you coming back?" Lily asked, her big hazel eyes wide with worry.

Mark leaned back and kissed her forehead gently.

"I will always come back for you, baby."

"I’m going to end this tonight."

Sarah reached over from the driver’s seat and handed Mark a small wireless transmitter.

"This is linked to the estate’s main projector system in the ballroom," Sarah explained.

"Once you plug this drive into Arthur’s private office terminal, I can hijack the media screens in the gala."

"The whole room will see the raw video files automatically."

"How much time do I have?" Mark asked, pocketing the drive.

"Five minutes maximum before their firewall detects the override," Sarah replied.

"Be careful, Mark."

"If Victor or his men spot you, they won't hesitate to shoot."

Mark nodded once, pulled his hood over his head, and slipped into the shadows of the estate grounds.

He moved silently across the damp manicured lawn, dodging the patrolling guards.

He bypassed the side patio security keypad using the codes Marcus had extracted earlier.

The heavy wooden door clicked open with a soft, subtle chime.

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Mark stepped inside the quiet, dimly lit hallway of the mansion.

Above him, the faint sound of classical music and clinking champagne glasses echoed from the grand ballroom.