The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 102

Everyone rushed for the main entrance, panic turning the crowd into chaos. People pushed and shoved, desperate to get out, but the electronic lock was broken. No matter how hard they tried, the doors wouldn’t budge, from inside or out.

“Open the emergency exit,” Jesse shouted, his voice cracking as he clutched his round belly, sweat beading on his forehead.

Just a moment ago, he’d felt smug about his secret emergency door, convinced it would save him in a pinch. Then someone yelled from across the room, voice shaking, “Jesse, the emergency door’s stuck too! It won’t open!”

Stuck? That couldn’t be right. Jesse shoved a bodyguard out of the way and kicked the main door, over and over, but it didn’t even tremble.

Inside the casino, with all the staff and gamblers, there were at least forty people. Everyone was trapped. The sound of fists and feet pounding on the doors echoed through the place, but the fancy reinforced doors barely dented. There was no way anyone was breaking out.

“Jesse, the cops are almost here! You promised this place was secure. What do we do now?” someone shouted, panic rising in their voice.

“What’s the point of having your guys? Can’t even get a door open!” another yelled, voice sharp with fear.

“Everyone, shut up! You think I want to stay here?” Jesse snapped, his nerves fraying as the wail of police sirens grew louder outside. He grabbed handfuls of his own hair, pacing in circles, frantic.

“Go to hell!” A young guy lunged forward and kicked Jesse hard in the stomach.

Jesse collapsed, gasping and clutching his belly, his face twisted in pain.

Both exits were blocked, and with eighteen floors between them and the ground, no one was about to try their luck jumping. Fear and fury filled the air, and Jesse became everyone’s target. Someone else kicked him. Another man spat at him, then snatched up a chair and smashed it against the door, the crash ringing out across the room.

Meanwhile, Charlotte stood calmly in a shadowed corner, pouring herself a glass of orange juice. She took a slow sip, watching the chaos unfold like it was just another show.

After a few tense minutes, the door finally swung open from the outside. Police officers stormed in, weapons raised.

“On the ground! Hands up! Don’t move!”

Everyone dropped to their knees, hands over their heads, cursing under their breath.

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