Chapter 10 - The Second Screen
The projector screen, which had remained dark for several minutes, suddenly flickered back to life with a blinding flash of white light. A new video feed materialized instantly, bypassing all local controls and broadcasting directly from the hotel’s subterranean parking garage.
Arthur stopped in his tracks, his eyes darting up to the screen. Clara and Maya halted beside him, their attention instantly captured by the high-definition footage displaying rows of luxury vehicles parked beneath fluorescent lights.
On the screen, a sleek black sedan was parked near the exit barrier. Standing beside the driver’s side door was a figure in a heavy wool cloak—the exact same person who had slipped through the side exit of the banquet hall just moments before.
The hooded figure reached up, slowly pulling back the heavy fabric to reveal a face that made Arthur’s breath catch in his throat.
It was Marcus, Julian’s chief financial officer and the man who had supposedly been out of the country on an extended vacation for the past six months.
Marcus leaned casually against the car door, holding a thick leather briefcase in one hand while using his phone with the other. He looked directly into the security camera lens mounted on the concrete pillar, offering a slow, mocking smile as if he knew he was being watched live.
On the audio feed, a digitized, distorted voice began to speak through the speakers, though Marcus’s lips were not moving.
Did you really think Julian was the only architect of this plan? the computerized voice echoed through the empty banquet hall, chilling and precise.
Arthur clenched his fists, stepping closer to the stage.
Marcus, Arthur muttered, the name tasting like ash in his mouth.
Clara pulled out her phone, tapping frantically on the screen to trace the signal.
He’s uploading the remaining offshore asset keys to an external server right now, Clara said, her voice laced with sudden panic. If he hits send, the money vanishes beyond government recovery within thirty seconds!
Maya didn't wait for instructions. She clutched the silver microphone and the small USB drive, turning sharply toward the side exit that led directly down the service stairs to the parking garage.
I know a shortcut behind the kitchens, Maya stated over her shoulder, already breaking into a run.
Arthur didn't hesitate. He bolted after the child, his long strides eating up the distance across the ruined ballroom, leaving Clara behind to manage the security feed.
Wait, Maya! Arthur called out, though his voice was swallowed by the sudden, deafening shriek of a digital alarm blaring from the projector screen.
The screen flashed red, displaying a countdown timer: 10 seconds to permanent transfer.
Marcus on the screen laughed aloud, tossing the heavy briefcase into the passenger seat of the sedan, sliding behind the steering wheel, and slamming the door shut.
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As the countdown hit three seconds, the parking garage heavy iron security gate at the end of the ramp began to descend rapidly, blocking the exit just as Marcus turned the ignition.
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