The two guards stopped at the base of the polished marble staircase.
They crossed their arms, blocking the primary exit toward the front door.
"Where is Arthur?" Mark demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
"Mr. Vance is upstairs in your private office," the taller guard replied.
"He is finalizing the transfer documents for the estate and trust fund."
Mark remembered signing several legal papers earlier that morning before leaving.
Arthur had claimed they were standard corporate documents for their software company.
In reality, Arthur was attempting to seize Mark's home and liquid assets.
He had trapped Sarah downstairs to prevent her from stopping the legal fraud.
Mark felt a wave of controlled anger take over his entire body.
He looked the taller guard directly in the eyes without flinching.
"You have five seconds to step away from that staircase," Mark said.
"We take orders from Mr. Vance, not you," the guard answered cold-heartedly.
Mark did not hesitate or argue with the guard any further.
He grabbed a heavy bronze decorative statue from the nearby side table.
He stepped forward quickly and swung it toward the taller guard's arm.
The sudden move caught the guard off guard, forcing him to stumble back.
The second guard rushed forward to grab Mark's shoulder.
Mark ducked beneath his grip and pushed him firmly against the banister.
The loud commotion echoed off the high marble walls of the entryway.
Upstairs, a door opened sharply, and footsteps hurried down the corridor.
Arthur Vance appeared at the top of the balcony, holding a leather folder.
His face turned pale when he saw Mark standing over the guards.
"Mark! You were supposed to be in Austin!" Arthur yelled in panic.
"Nobody leaves this house!" Mark shouted back in a commanding tone.
His voice echoed through every room of the luxury mansion.
Arthur backed away from the railing, realizing his plan was ruined.
Mark knew he needed to get Sarah out of the pit first.
He turned back to the trapdoor and reached down toward his wife.