Chapter 2 - The Ticking Clock
Eight minutes.
Her husband, Julian, scoffs at the speaker, raising his whiskey glass to throw the remainder at the wall right beside Lena’s head. Clear liquid splatters across the pristine white marble.
"Eight minutes?" Julian sneers, grabbing Lena by her left shoulder and dragging her up against the basin. "You think some random guy on the phone can save you in my own apartment?"
"He's not a random guy, Julian," Lena whispers through her bruised, swollen lips, her eyes suddenly devoid of fear.
Julian's hand tightens on her arm, forcing her to stand as he raises his palm to strike her again.
"I don't care if he's the Mayor!" Julian growls, his alcohol-laced breath hot against her cheek. "You belong to me! You have no family, no money, and no place to run!"
Lena holds his furious gaze without blinking. "Look at the time, Julian."
Julian glitches for a second, glancing down at his gold wristwatch. Seven minutes have passed.
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Suddenly, distant screeching tires echo from the courtyard below the high-rise penthouse.
👉 Who just breached the penthouse security in broad daylight?
