Claire's trembling fingers opened her contacts.
She pressed one name.
Dad.
The phone rang once.
Then twice.
Finally, a calm voice answered.
"Sweetheart?"
Claire struggled to hold back tears.
"Dad..."
"It's time to keep your promise."
Silence followed.
Her father didn't ask questions.
He didn't demand explanations.
He simply answered,
"I'm coming."
The line disconnected.
Victor smiled confidently.
"That's it?"
"Your retired father is driving over to rescue you?"
Claire said nothing.
She simply waited.
Exactly eighteen minutes later...
Bright headlights appeared through the ballroom windows.
Guests turned toward the entrance.
Three black SUVs rolled through the mansion gates.
Each vehicle stopped with military precision.
Well-dressed security professionals stepped out first.
Behind them...
An older man wearing a simple navy suit quietly exited the center vehicle.
Robert Bennett.
Claire's father.
Victor laughed nervously.
"This is getting dramatic."
Then Robert began walking toward the mansion.
The laughter disappeared.