Chapter 197: Tension

Confusion quickly gave way to fear as the severity of the situation became clear. By standing there, the message was clear. No one would be leaving until Stella Grey was recovered. The team leader, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a clean shaven head and cold eyes, strode to the center of the ballroom. He pulled a menacing-looking rifle from the holster on his back and pointed it to the floor, before looking around the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, I regret to inform you that this event is now on lockdown," he announced in a tone that brokered no argument. "No one will be permitted to leave these premises until our security team has completed a full sweep and resolved the situation. Do not move around or risk getting shot,” he said. The crowd could only nod mutely. The guests could only stay still. They did not want to get in the way not be implicated. It was clear this was a large scale operation. When Maria saw the men, she knew these were James’ personal team. She coul