For a split second after Vanessa spoke, the entire hallway felt frozen.
Smoke hung in the air.
Broken glass crunched beneath boots.
The muzzle of Leonid Volkov's rifle lifted slowly.
Behind him, the additional mercenaries emerging from the side corridor fanned out with practiced efficiency.
Vanessa counted automatically.
Six.
No.
Seven.
Which meant nearly twenty trained fighters were now inside the estate.
Marco muttered quietly beside her.
"This just got worse."
Vanessa didn't respond.
Her mind had already shifted into the cold clarity she experienced during major operations.
Every movement mattered now.
Every second.
Volkov's voice remained calm.
"Stand down."
Gale didn't move.
Vanessa smiled faintly.
"You're asking the wrong people."
Volkov sighed.
"I was hoping you'd be more reasonable."
Marco chuckled dryly.
"You broke into our house."
Volkov shrugged.
"Negotiation tactics."
Vanessa raised her pistol.
"I preferred the earlier version of the plan."
