Chapter 13: Standoff at the Piano
Chapter 13: Standoff at the Piano
Ethan struggled to his knees, blood pouring freely from a deep cut above his eye, his vision swimming. "Vanessa, stop! Listen to me! Take the company. Take the money. I'll sign it all over. Just let the child go."
"I don't want your money, Ethan. I want the drive!" Vanessa screamed, her composure fraying. "If that data gets out, we're all dead anyway!"
Rosa gasped for air, clutching her ribs as she painfully struggled to her feet. She looked at Lily's terrified eyes and knew she had to play her final card. "It's... it's in the east parlor. Hidden inside the piano."
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, but greed won over caution. "Move. All of you."
They marched through the smoke-filled corridors, a macabre and silent procession, until they reached the east parlor. The moonlight filtered through the shattered remnants of the grand windows, casting long, eerie shadows across the magnificent black grand piano resting in the center of the room. The very spot where this nightmare had ignited hours ago.
"Where is it?" Vanessa demanded, keeping the silver gun firmly trained on Lily's head.
"Inside the soundboard," Rosa said, her voice shaking, pointing a trembling finger. "You have to open the lid and reach behind the strings."
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Vanessa gestured sharply to one of her heavy guards. "Get it. Tear it apart if you have to."
The guard slung his rifle over his shoulder and stepped forward, lifting the incredibly heavy polished lid of the grand piano, reaching his hands deep into the intricate network of steel strings and wooden hammers.
