Pence retreated hastily towards the dedicated fire escape, surrounded by bodyguards.
On the way, two of the bodyguards quickly put another set of level III bulletproof vests on him and fastened a Kevlar helmet.
This is the heavy-duty bulletproof vest used only in emergencies; he had always worn the light type before.
This meant that he was now in an extremely dangerous state.
Although this custom armor worth 8,000 US Dollars could stop a 7.62mm rifle bullet, it gave him no sense of security at this moment.
He knew that lunatic too well—Song Heping never launches a frontal attack, he is like a true ghost, always finding the opponent's weakest moment.
"Sir, we're taking the emergency passage."
Bodyguard leader Mc Coy opened the secret door to the hotel's fire escape, a hidden passageway for VIPs that leads directly to the underground parking lot.
Pence's legs were somewhat weak, covered in cold sweat.
He heard Mc Coy frantically calling, "Repeating, cancel the airborne evacuation! The sniper has controlled the vantage point! Execute ground plan!"
As the elevator descended to the second subterranean floor, the shirt beneath Pence's suit was soaked with cold sweat.
Four identical black Range Rovers were neatly arranged in the dedicated parking area, with four fully armed bodyguards standing beside each vehicle.
"In this one, sir."
Mc Coy opened the door to the third car, a specially modified bulletproof model.
"Don't worry, we'll be out of here soon. The local police have been informed and they'll be arriving shortly."
Pence climbed into the cabin, smelling leather mixed with fear.
The bullet-proof glass was a full 5 centimeters thick, the door weighed three times as much as a regular car.
This sense of safety calmed him slightly until he noticed the black partition rising between the driver's seat and the backseat.
"What's the meaning of this?" He pounded the panel.
"Standard procedure, sir."
Mc Coy's voice transmitted through the car's communication system.
"It's to prevent hijackers from coercing the driver. Please fasten your seatbelt; we're departing now."
Pence was momentarily stupefied.
Having served for years as Deputy Director of the CIA, though in an administrative role, he understood this procedure.
He was just too frantic…
Hearing Song Heping had come for him, his hands turned icy.
Damn it!
That accursed madman!
He cursed him continually in his heart.
The roar of the engine echoed, and the convoy headed toward the underground parking lot exit.
Pence's vehicle was in the second sequence, guarded by escort vehicles at both front and rear.
"Group B has set off, moving through the exit," Mc Coy's voice came with an electrical noise, "Stay alert, the sniper may still be—"
The convoy sped toward the exit.
The lights ahead gradually thinned, replaced by the brighter lights at the exit.
Seeing the exit, Pence's heart gradually started to settle…
The convoy entered the exit channel, the barrier lifted…
Continuing forward…
Ahead lay the exit…
Behind the exit barrier was a passage about twenty meters long.
Beyond the passage was the road.
Once on the road, the convoy could immediately escape Song Heping's pursuit by relying on high-speed mobility; even if the opponent chased in a vehicle, delaying the pursuit for twenty minutes would suffice for the police to arrive.
As the convoy reached the bend of the passage, suddenly a Corolla sedan appeared on the right.
In the passenger seat, Mc Coy glanced vigilantly at the strange car.
The driver's cabin was dark, and it was unclear if anyone was inside.
Suddenly, a bright light flashed through his mind, and a layer of cold sweat emerged on Mc Coy's forehead.
"Accelerate! Accelerate!"
A sense of impending danger surged like a tide.
Specially trained Mc Coy instantly detected the scent of danger.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Boom—