Maids Of Wisdom

Chapter 4: Escape From The Den

The air inside the opulent mansion felt heavy with tension as Crystal, Sapphire, and Luna exchanged a final, determined glance. They had gathered the evidence they needed, but the real challenge lay ahead—escaping the mansion undetected and bringing the criminal network's operations to light.

*Crystal’s Calculated Move*

Crystal’s mind raced as she assessed their situation. The secluded room where they had gathered their evidence was at the end of a long hallway, and they needed to navigate their way back to the main party without arousing suspicion. She motioned for her friends to follow her lead.

“Stay calm and act natural,” Crystal whispered, her voice steady. “We’re just another group of guests.”

They stepped out of the room, blending seamlessly into the crowd. Crystal spotted a staircase leading to a balcony overlooking the ballroom. If they could get there, it might provide a vantage point to scout their escape route. As they ascended the stairs, Crystal noticed a group of security guards gathered near the exit, their watchful eyes scanning the crowd.

“We’ll need a distraction,” she murmured to Sapphire and Luna. “Something to draw their attention away from the exit.”

*Sapphire’s Bold Distraction*

Sapphire’s eyes gleamed with a mix of determination and mischief. “Leave it to me.”

Without another word, she sauntered down the stairs and into the midst of the ballroom. She positioned herself near a table laden with champagne glasses, her movements graceful and deliberate. As she reached for a glass, she “accidentally” knocked over the entire tray, sending glasses and champagne cascading to the floor.

The commotion was immediate. Guests gasped and exclaimed, and several security guards rushed over to contain the situation. Sapphire played the part of a flustered guest perfectly, apologizing profusely and drawing as much attention as possible.

With the guards distracted, Crystal and Luna seized the opportunity. They slipped through the crowd and made their way towards the exit, keeping an eye out for any suspicious figures.

*Luna’s Silent Stealth*

Luna’s quiet strength and observational skills were crucial in moments like these. She noticed a side door that led to a narrow hallway, likely used by the staff. She gently tugged Crystal’s arm and nodded towards the door.

“This way,” Luna whispered.

They moved swiftly and silently, their footsteps barely making a sound on the polished floor. The hallway was dimly lit, and the sound of their breathing echoed softly as they made their way towards what they hoped was an exit.

They turned a corner and found themselves in the mansion’s kitchen. The clatter of dishes and the bustle of the kitchen staff provided the perfect cover for their movements. Luna spotted a delivery door at the far end of the room.

“That’s our way out,” she said, her voice barely audible over the kitchen noise.

*A Narrow Escape*

They approached the door cautiously, but just as they reached for the handle, a voice called out behind them.

“Hey! What are you doing here?”

They turned to see a kitchen supervisor glaring at them. Thinking quickly, Crystal flashed a charming smile.

“Sorry, we got lost looking for the restroom,” she said, her tone light and apologetic.

The supervisor’s suspicion didn’t waver. “You shouldn’t be back here. This area is for staff only.”

Before he could say more, a loud crash echoed from the ballroom, followed by raised voices. It seemed Sapphire’s distraction had escalated. The supervisor glanced towards the commotion, and Crystal seized the moment.

“Come on!” she whispered urgently to Luna.

They pushed through the delivery door and out into a dark alley behind the mansion. The cool night air hit them, and they paused for a moment to catch their breath.

“We made it,” Crystal said, relief evident in her voice.

Sapphire appeared moments later, a triumphant grin on her face. “Told you I’d create a distraction.”

*Regrouping and Planning*

Back at their apartment, the adrenaline of their escape began to fade, replaced by a grim determination. They gathered around their table, laying out the evidence they had gathered.

Crystal connected her camera to her laptop, playing back the recorded conversation. The images and voices of Moreau, Grendel, and The Broker filled the room, discussing their plans and implicating themselves in the illegal operations.

“This is it,” Luna said, her voice steady but tinged with exhaustion. “We have what we need to take them down.”

Sapphire nodded. “But we can’t go to the authorities directly. The network has too many connections. We need to find someone we can trust.”

Crystal thought for a moment. “Professor Eldridge. He’s always been a reliable mentor, and he has connections in the academic and legal communities. If anyone can help us navigate this, it’s him.”

They agreed on the plan and decided to visit Professor Eldridge first thing in the morning. The night had been long and exhausting, but the Maids of Wisdom knew that their battle was far from over. They had taken a significant step, but the path ahead was still fraught with danger.

*A New Threat*

As they prepared for bed, a knock on the door startled them. Crystal cautiously approached and peeked through the peephole. Her heart skipped a beat. Standing outside was Tobias Grendel, flanked by two imposing men.

“Ladies, I know you’re in there,” Grendel called out, his voice menacing. “We need to have a little chat.”

The trio exchanged tense glances. They were cornered, but they wouldn’t go down without a fight. With their bond stronger than ever, they prepared to face this new threat head-on, determined to protect the truth and each other at all costs.