The night air around Atlantis Maximum Detention Facility was thick with tension and the quiet drone of high-security systems. Floodlights bathed the perimeter in sterile white light, casting long shadows over the guards patrolling like clockwork machines. But nothing had prepared them for the storm now brewing inside.
Delano, the prison warden, stood at the center of it all like a man moments away from snapping a chair over someone's head.
He did not need theatrics to command authority—he was authority.
And right now, he was livid.
"ALL favors are revoked!" he barked like a rabid dog. "Strip this block of every unauthorized luxury. Move this brat to maximum solitary!"
Selene Sinclair sat on the grass like a discarded princess at the wrong gala. She blinked slowly, then adjusted her sleeve.
Around her, two dozen guards of the Hamilton Group stood in a tight circle. Not just guards—highly trained, intimidating, and tailored in Armani suits that could probably stop a bullet or two. Their eyes were hidden behind polarized sunglasses, and their hands hovered near weapons that were most definitely not standard issue.
Opposite them, Delano's own government squad assembled like chess pieces.
Selene exhaled slowly, dryly. "You know," she muttered under her breath, "this feels a bit too dramatic. Even for me."
Delano didn't answer.
His square jaw was clenched so tightly the veins on his neck looked ready to burst.
Behind Selene, Blake's bodyguards started shifting.
One cracked his knuckles with the intensity of a kung-fu villain entering final form.
Another rolled up his sleeves like a surgeon preparing for high-stakes, non-consensual surgery.
The last checked Delano's insurance policy on a government database.
Still, Delano didn't flinch.
Blake let out a long, deep sigh.
"If you dare keep Miss Sinclair here," he said, voice steady and respectful, "I will end this prison's funding stream in seven seconds."
Delano snorted. "This is a government facility."
"And everyone," Blake added curtly, "loves donations."
The air seemed to shrink in tension. Even the concrete under their feet felt like it was waiting.
Atlantis was a city of power. Money. Reputation.
And in that moment, everyone in that courtyard remembered who really ran the system. As long as someone had enough power and money, they could influence anything. Anyone.
Even the government departments.
Although Delano could easily crush Selene, thanks to Bianca's support, he was in no position to go against the Hamilton Group. One wrong move could easily scar his career.
The guards behind him shifted uneasily.
Selene's pulse was thumping, but her expression remained composed. Inside, her fingers twitched.
Ding!
[Time Left to Escape: 00:08:42]
[FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE QUEST WILL RESULT IN PENALTY ZONE!!]
Ding!
[Emotional Instability detected!]
[Intelligence Buff Deactivated!]
[The Player must increase their stats to override emotional instabilities!]
Selene sighed in frustration, 'Stop trying to make me panic! Give me ideas! There has to be something we can do!'
Ding!
[Available Tools: Hamilton Group's Influence – Active
Bribes – Ineffective
A Single Pudding – Expired
Loan – Processing...]
Her eye twitched. "Still with the pudding."
"You think you can strut in here with money and muscle and walk out like a queen?" he snarled. "This isn't your PLAYGROUND!!!"
Blake didn't move.
"I have the Lady of the Sinclairs by my side!" Delano thundered. "You think I'm scared of some overpaid goons and a delusional heiress kicked out of her family?!"
Selene's eye twitched. She really hated being called that.
Blake raised a hand calmly. "Daphne."
From the rear guard, a petite woman stepped forward. Quiet. Composed. Sharp. Librarian glasses. Perfect posture. Shoes that cost more than a prison guard's monthly salary.
Delano squinted. "This is your trump card?"
She stepped aside.
Behind her, a man emerged who looked like he'd been drinking protein shakes since he was born. Six-foot-something. Eyes like an intimidating ancient sage. Hands that had drafted the downfall of empires.
He held up his ID with cool confidence.
Senior Lawyer Daphne Lyon, Esq.
Licensed in 12 Jurisdictions – Including Underground Economies
Delano blinked. "You're a lawyer?"
Daphne's voice was gentle. Soft-spoken.
"I'm the lawyer."
He unzipped his designer satchel.
Documents unfolded like courtroom daggers.
"This arrest is illegal."
Selene stood up with practiced grace, like a queen rising after a short power nap. She dusted off her kimono with two fingers and tilted her head at Delano.
Delano's rage surged. "She fled a crime scene!"
"She exited a private residence. No warrant. No charges. No legal grounds," Daphne replied smoothly.
"She aided a fugitive—"
"No proof. No process. No case."
Selene muttered, "He's good."
Blake replied under his breath, "He's expensive."
Ding!
[This is the bare minimum legal defense.]
Delano's fists shook. "This is government turf! We have full authority!"
Daphne dropped another document at his feet. "No. This prison is under a public-private funding model. And you just attempted to detain a board member of Hamilton Group."
Delano looked like someone had just slapped him with a lawsuit made of gold.
Whispers erupted around the courtyard. No one could believe their ears. How could the banished heiress be one of the shareholders of THE Hamilton Group?!
"Wait, are we… wrong?" Someone whispered.
"I didn't hear any news of Selene Sinclair buying the Hamilton Shares!!"
"Her kimono has diamonds on it, though."
Delano bared his teeth like a cornered predator. "That's impossible! She must have conned you!! You idiots!!"
Then—
CLANG.
Steel riot locks slammed down like the jaws of a mechanical beast. Wailing sirens burst through the air—wild, guttural, like the building itself was screaming.
Selene flinched.
Everything turned red.
Guards scrambled. Orders shouted. Comms buzzed with static and fear.
Blake stepped closer to Selene, his expression grim and tense. The other guards took their positions, reaching towards their guns, but each one of them looked clearly afraid.
If they had to use their weapons, everything would turn ugly.
Delano's voice echoed like a war cry. "You won't leave! I'll prove you're frauds! You'll rot in here with your silk and lies!"
Ding!
[System Alert: Time Remaining — 00:02:31]
[FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE QUEST WILL RESULT IN PENALTY ZONE!!]
Selene's breath caught.
Her system screen flickered once—then dimmed.
And all around her, the shadows closed in.