CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY ONE - Bound by Circumstance

Meanwhile, Mara took charge of setting up a command center of sorts in one of the spare rooms. She assembled computers, phones, and other communication devices, ensuring they had multiple ways to stay connected with the outside world. Clarissa, still bristling at the imposed confinement, threw herself into researching legal precedents and potential ways to challenge the lockdown. Despite Cassius's attempts to discourage her, she was determined to find a way out of their situation. As night fell, the mansion felt different. The once-comforting walls now seemed to close in around them. The distant hum of generators powering the security barriers served as a constant reminder of their predicament. In the days that followed, the inhabitants of Noble Mansion struggled to adjust to their new reality. The initial shock gave way to a tense acceptance as they settled into new routines. Cassius spent most of his time in his study, coordinating with his business partners and trying to run the