The faint glow of a mobile screen illuminated the dark space right beside Claire's outstretched palm.
She pulls out her smartphone, barely able to speak.
SFX: Phone click
Claire: (Hissing breath) Face ID... unlock... please work...
The tiny camera sensor blinked twice, scanning her tear-stained face against the cold marble background.
A soft chime rang out as the screen unlocked, revealing the urgent contact list glowing brightly in the dim light.
Claire: (Whispering) My hands... they won't stop shaking... stay steady...
Her thumb hovered over the screen, searching frantically for the encrypted direct dial icon she had set up last week.
Upstairs, Victoria's footsteps began moving toward the grand staircase, signaling that the inspection was about to begin.
Victoria: I'm going to walk down and check her pulse, Elena. Keep an eye on the door.
Elena: Make sure she's actually gone this time. We can't afford any legal loose ends.
Claire heard the click of heels hitting the first step of the glass staircase, drawing closer with every second.
Panic surged through her veins, overriding the physical agony and giving her voice a sudden, desperate edge.
Will she manage to transmit her final message before the footsteps reach the bottom of the stairs?