One by one, the outer doors of the mansion were locking themselves from the inside.

“The house isn’t dark anymore, Vanessa,” Nathan said, a cold smile touching his lips.

“It’s sealed.”

From the ceiling speaker, a computerized version of Claire’s voice spoke.

*Protocol Lullaby active.*

*All external exits locked.*

*Emergency services notified of corporate espionage and attempted murder.*

*Estimated arrival of county sheriff: twenty-five minutes.*

Julian let out a curse from the hallway, his boots scraping against the floor as he ran toward the stairs.

“Vanessa, the main gates are locked!” he yelled, his voice echoing from the distance.

“The garage doors won’t open!”

Vanessa glared at Nathan, her face twisted in rage as the gun shook in her hand.

“You think a few locks will stop us?” she snarled.

“We have the tools to cut through any door in this place.”

“Not these doors,” Nathan said, pointing to the thick steel plates sliding down over the panic room’s outer frame.

“This is the vault.”

The heavy steel security shutter began to descend from the ceiling of the doorway, moving slowly but with massive force.