Meanwhile, inside the mayor's mansion, Carlos had the writhing, black-blooded mayor slung over his shoulder, dragging him unceremoniously toward the grand entrance.
The once-glorious hall was now in shambles, scattered debris, shattered glass, and lifeless bodies of guards strewn across the marble floor. Carlos's boots echoed loudly as he walked, his pace steady and deliberate.
Cleo followed closely behind, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings as her systems confirmed the successful extraction of all data from the mansion's network. "There's nothing else left here. Let's move," she said curtly.
When they reached the armored vehicle parked just outside the entrance, Carlos opened the cargo compartment and dumped the mayor inside without a shred of gentleness. The octopus-headed man groaned in protest but didn't dare speak as Carlos slammed the hatch shut.