Sophia Vance was not an innocent victim who had fallen in love with Marcus by chance. She was the youngest daughter of Arthur Vance, the ruthless chairman of Vance International. Four years ago, when Elena discovered that Vance International had laundered hundred of millions through fake maritime shipping invoices, Arthur Vance had ordered Elena silenced.
Rather than killing her—which would trigger a full-scale federal investigation—they staged her drowning at sea, abducted her, and imprisoned her in the secure, soundproofed subterranean bunker beneath the old cliffside estate that Sophia later purchased.
For four years, Sophia had posed as Marcus's comforting partner, slowly maneuvering him into signing over voting proxies while keeping his sister imprisoned right beneath their feet.
Act III: The Rescue and The Fall
Chapter 5: Breaking the Lock
The butler ran out onto the terrace carrying a heavy steel breaching bar and a pair of bolt cutters.
"Mr. Bennett! Here!"
Marcus snatched the heavy bolt cutters, took a massive breath of air, and plunged back into the pool.