Chapter 27 - The Seventh Birthday
Three weeks passed under heightened security protocols across the Greenwich estate.
Tactical security personnel monitored every entrance, and drone cameras scanned the surrounding estate woods 24/7.
Despite the hidden danger, Maria ensured Leo had a joyful seventh birthday celebration inside the grand home.
Streamers decorated the dining room, and a large chocolate birthday cake sat on the mahogany table.
Leo blew out his seven candles, his face glowing with pure childhood happiness as Richard and Maria cheered.
"Make a wish, buddy!" Richard encouraged with a warm smile.
"I wish we can stay together like this forever!" Leo shouted happily, hugging both Maria and Richard.
Suddenly, the outdoor patio lights flickered and died, plunging the backyard garden into darkness.
Richard's handheld tactical radio crackled to life with frantic static.
"Commander Vance! We have multiple unauthorized breaches on the south perimeter!" a guard shouted over the radio.
"All camera feeds just went dead! They're using electromagnetic pulse weapons!"
Maria immediately grabbed Leo, ushering him toward the reinforced pantry panic room.
"Carlos, get inside with Leo!" Maria commanded her brother.
"Maria, what about you?" Carlos pleaded in panic.
"I'm staying with Richard!" she declared boldly, pulling a heavy iron poker from the fireplace holder.
The glass patio doors shattered violently as four men wearing black tactical gear breached the living room.
Leading them was a tall, silver-haired European man in a custom charcoal suit.
May you like
Arthur Sterling had arrived.
--------------------------------------------------
