Julian stood under the glittering crystal chandelier, holding the matte-black cylinder in both hands. He gripped the top and bottom, his face set in a confident smirk, and twisted.

Nothing happened.

He frowned, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the smooth metal harder, twisting his hands

The shrieking of metal against metal was deafening. A geyser of blinding white sparks erupted from the titanium surface of the cylinder as Julian pressed the industrial diamond saw down with all his weight. The basement appraisal workshop, already claustrophobic with its rows of cluttered workbenche

Total panic ensued.

The basement workshop was a cacophony of blaring sirens, pulsing red emergency lights, and the hysterical shrieks of Serena Fox. The air tasted of ozone and pulverized metal from the diamond saw, thick and suffocating in the enclosed space.

"We're going to die! We're going to