Chapter 4 - Digital Chains
The live video feed on Julian’s phone showed a dark, empty foyer—his own home, miles away across the city. The front door stood slightly ajar, casting a wedge of harsh light onto the hardwood floor where his security system’s master keypad blinked a frantic red warning. Julian froze in the hallway outside the ballroom, the blood draining from his face. He dialed his head of domestic security, his fingers trembling so badly he nearly dropped the device.
“This is Vance,” a gravelly voice answered on the first ring, sounding breathless. “Mr. Sterling, we have a breach.”
“Vance, status report now,” Julian barked, keeping his voice low so the remaining guests inside could not hear his rising panic. “Where are you?”
“Patrol found the perimeter sensors disabled ten minutes ago,” Vance reported, the sound of heavy rain and rushing wind bleeding through the microphone. “The entire smart-home network is locked down from the outside. We’re locked out of our own systems. Someone is inside the house, sir.”
Julian spun around to re-enter the ballroom, his mind racing through the logistics of who could bypass his military-grade cybersecurity. When he pushed the double doors open, the scene inside had shifted dramatically. The guests had largely dispersed, leaving behind only scattered balloons and crushed cake. But Evelyn was gone. In her place stood Marcus, holding Lily’s small pink party shoe that had fallen off during the chaos.
“Looking for someone?” Marcus asked smoothly, twirling the tiny shoe by its strap.
Julian lunged forward, grabbing Marcus by the lapels of his grey suit and slamming him against the nearest marble pillar.
“Where is my daughter?” Julian roared, abandoning all restraint.
May you like
Marcus didn't flinch. Instead, he smiled, looking past Julian’s shoulder. Julian slowly turned around to see Lily standing near the doorway, holding the hand of a stranger in a black trench coat.
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