Chapter 383 The Criminals

“Once we see anything strange, kill five hostages at once.”

“Yes, sir.”

When the soldier left, the man pressed his fingers to his forehead. His nerves felt like broken glass cutting under his skin. It was no illusion. This mission had to be perfect.

One mistake would destroy them. The moment they chose Hotel Morloss, they buried any fear of death. Only their goal mattered. But they did not know Endralsia’s special forces had already slipped through the sewers.

Tilda had ripped the system wide open. The feeds no longer belonged to the militants. A few strokes of code erased the soldiers from every camera. The intruders glowed clear across her screen.

In the basement, Blair sat in the corner with Dominic. The room had been stripped bare. Only a cramped patch of space and a steel door sealed shut remained. No one could break it without heavy explosives. Breaking it from the inside was hopeless. Guards outside stood ready with rifles clenched in their hands. Blair breathed out slowly. “I hate to think about how scared they must be right now that they know about our situation.”

Her child whispered, “It’s alright, Mom. We’ll be fine. They haven’t touched us. Their target must be something higher than us.”

“I hope you’re right. If it was just ransom, it would be simple. Now they refuse to answer us at all. That silence makes everything worse.”

Her eyes swept the room. Some women sobbed into their hands. Others clutched their rosaries and begged their gods for mercy. A few sat pale and stiff, lips moving with what could only be final words.

Sheldon rose with fire in his eyes. “I’ll speak to them again!”

“But you’ve already spoken to them, Mr. Oliveson. They didn’t bother giving an answer.”

“It’s been almost a full day. We can’t just sit here and die.”

He jabbed a finger upward. “This hotel is mine. Its security was my pride, and now the enemy smashed it apart like it was nothing.

“I hosted this gala. I put you in harm’s way. I cannot walk away from that.

“I will take responsibility. No matter how hard this gets, I will bring you out alive.”

His voice roared through the hall. The air broke like glass under a hammer. Faces lifted to him with sudden light. For a moment fear let go of them. Sheldon, Endralsia’s oil giant, stood tall as a patriot of Cetherland. Even in the face of danger, he did not bend to panic.

“Mr. Oliveson.”

Tobias stepped forward. Sheldon turned to him, looking perplexed. He barely knew the man or how he got an invitation to the gala, but it no longer mattered.

“What is it? Do you mean to stop me?”

Tobias shook his head.

“No. It’s just… what you said struck me right in my soul. If you’re going, I’m going too. Two men are better than one if things turn ugly.”

Sheldon’s eyes locked on him with weight. He saw it then. Tobias carried a calm that stood apart. The young are bold and brave, indeed. He can make a name for himself.

Sheldon nodded. “If death doesn’t scare you, then stand with me.”

“And me.”

Dominic moved to his side.

“You’re the head of Jenson Group, aren’t you? I’ve seen you before. Excellent. With two young men standing as my comrades, I feel no fear at all.”

Tobias‘ eyes flicked coldly toward Dominic. So Dominic wanted to shine in the moment, stealing the light. This was the perfect chance to get Sheldon’s approval. Otherwise, a man like him did not need to risk his skin.

The enemy was merciless. One wrong word and the floor would run with blood. But Tobias knew he had no choice. Fortune lived in danger. If he wanted to cut through the brutal world of the Lowells, he had to take this chance.

A voice broke the silence.

“Wait. Do you hear that?”

The crowd froze.

Metal scraped.

A sucking grind pressed against the steel door. The sound crawled into their bones, raising every hair on their bodies.

Sheldon barked, “Everyone, move back from the door!”

The crowd stumbled away until the steel stood far from them. A violent crash shook the floor. The door buckled and slammed down. A squad stormed through with rifles lit red by laser sights.

Sheldon raised his hands high, his voice tight but strong.

“Please. Don’t hurt us.”