The fire extinguisher struck the intruder's wrist with a hard metallic sound that cut through the silence of the records room. The folder slipped from his hand and crashed onto the tiled floor, scattering copies of shareholder agreements, confidential financial reports, and sealed legal documents in every direction. For one stunned second, nobody moved. Then the masked man cursed under his breath and lunged toward the nearest exit.
Peter reacted before Caro could take another breath. He stepped directly into the doorway, blocking the only clear path out of the room. The intruder stopped abruptly, his body twisting as though he were deciding whether to force his way through Peter or turn back toward the window. The security alarm began to pulse through the corridor, sharp and insistent, its sound growing louder with every second.
