Chapter 2 - The Traitorous Shadows
Heavy leather gloves creaked sharply as Alexander slowly stood up from the cracked marble floor of the grand foyer.
His dark navy blue suit jacket strained across his broad shoulders as his cold, piercing eyes locked onto the two bodyguards standing rigidly by the sweeping staircase.
The framed American flag mounted above them caught the harsh chandelier light, casting an uncompromising red, white, and blue gleam over the silent room.
"Marcus. David," Alexander said, his voice dropping into a terrifyingly low, menacing register that echoed off the marble pillars.
Bodyguard Marcus swallowed hard beneath his dark grey suit, his posture stiffening as he avoided direct eye contact with his employer.
"Mr. Alexander, we had nothing to do with whatever is down there in the sub-level," Marcus stammered defensively.
Alexander did not blink, his gaze narrowing like a predator preparing to strike its prey in the dead of winter.
"If you didn't know about a hidden trapdoor built directly under my foyer floor, how did you know I was looking down there?" Alexander whispered coldly.
Seven-year-old Chloe stood close by in her lavender purple dress and white shoes, clutching her delicate gold pearl bracelet tightly against her chest.
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"Daddy, they were standing by this exact spot three nights ago when I heard mommy screaming," Chloe whispered through fresh, silent tears.
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