Chapter 52: Relocation
The sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting a dull gray light over the Purnas mansion. The sprawling estate was cordoned off with yellow police tape, its imposing gates lined with police officers, local journalists, and curious onlookers. The once serene mansion was now a crime scene, marred by bullet holes, shattered glass, and pools of blood dried on the marble floors.
Police cars were parked haphazardly around the property, their lights flashing like restless eyes. Reporters shouted questions from behind the gates, cameras flashing, microphones thrust forward, but the police held them back, stone-faced and silent.
Inside the staff house, Pedro lay stretched out on a makeshift cot, his shirtless chest revealing bruises and deep, dark welts where bullets had struck and fallen away. Beside him, two remaining security staff sat slumped in plastic chairs, their faces pale and drawn, eyes glassy from shock. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and dried blood.
A plainclothes detective stood over Pedro, notepad in hand. "Tell me again," he said, voice clipped. "You're saying they shot at you, point-blank, and none of the bullets penetrated?"
Pedro winced as a nurse dabbed disinfectant on his shoulder. "That's right," he said through gritted teeth. "They hit us, but..." He tapped the amulet hanging around his neck, its surface worn and polished from years of handling. "Didn't do shit."
The detective glanced down at the amulet, his jaw tightening. Whether he believed it was a talisman of protection or just a piece of folklore didn't matter — the fact remained that Pedro and his men were alive, while their attackers were not.
"You expect me to believe that?" the detective muttered, eyes narrowing.
Pedro's dark eyes met his, unwavering. "Believe what you want. We're still breathing. They're not."
Outside the Mansion – Main Entrance
A convoy of black SUVs pulled up to the gates, engines humming as they idled. The crowd of reporters surged forward, cameras flashing and microphones thrust forward.
"Don Estello! Is it true that the attackers were linked to Abu Sayyaf?""Mr. Purnas, do you suspect any political motivations for the attack?""Richard! Is the AI project still moving forward despite the attack?"