They Held a Funeral for the Mafia Boss While He Was Still Alive, but the Maid Who Heard Knocking Beneath His Chapel Knew Exactly Which Bell Could Expose the Person Who Buried Him

Evelyn and Sam sprinted down the narrow spiral staircase leading to the sub-basement beneath the chapel. Sirens began blaring upstairs as Margaret’s guards initiated a full lockdown.

They reached the massive iron vault door marked Sub-Level 2.

Water was already seeping out from beneath the rubber door seals, pooling across the cold stone floor.

"He's almost out of air!" Sam yelled over the sound of the sirens.

Evelyn swiped the stolen master key card through the digital scanner. The electronic lock beeped green, and heavy hydraulic bolts disengaged with a loud hiss.

Together, Evelyn and Sam grabbed the heavy iron wheel, turning it with all their strength.

The heavy door swung open. A torrent of cold, murky water poured out into the hallway, knocking Evelyn off her feet.

Inside the small, stone-walled chamber, the water level had reached chest-high. Gabriel Ashford was clinging to an iron pipe near the ceiling, his suit soaked, his face pale and bruised, his breathing shallow.

"Evelyn..." Gabriel gasped, losing his grip and splashing into the rising water.

Evelyn waded through the freezing water, grabbing Gabriel under his arms, while Sam helped drag him out into the hallway.

Gabriel collapsed against the stone wall, coughing violently, clearing the water from his lungs. He looked up at Evelyn, his dark eyes filled with a mixture of shock and profound gratitude.