For a brief moment after Adrian spoke, the garage was completely silent.
Vanessa didn't move.
Marco didn't speak.
Even the faint hum of the fluorescent lights above seemed louder than usual.
Adrian leaned casually against the workbench, watching them with quiet amusement.
"They're coming for you."
Vanessa studied him carefully.
There was no panic in his voice.
No bluffing in his posture.
Which meant—
He believed it.
Vanessa glanced toward Gale.
His expression hadn't changed.
But she knew him well enough now to recognize the difference.
The calm had sharpened.
"Marco," Gale said quietly.
Marco straightened immediately.
"Yes."
"Lock the estate."
Marco didn't hesitate.
He pulled out his phone and spoke into it.
"All units. Full lockdown. Now."
Vanessa listened as the orders moved quickly through the security system.
Within seconds—
The estate alarms activated.
Not loud sirens.
But silent lockdown protocols.
Steel gates closing.
Security cameras repositioning.
