Chapter 187

Three AM. The night was pitch black.

Vivian Laurent stood on the warehouse rooftop, the wind tugging at her hair. She glanced at her wristwatch. Five minutes until the operation began.

A voice crackled in her earpiece. "Surveillance systems hacked. Guard rotation confirmed."

"Move out," she ordered curtly.

Three helicopters descended soundlessly behind the warehouse. Highly trained agents swiftly loaded the cargo and vanished within fifteen minutes.

As dawn tinged the horizon, Scar Lowell groaned awake. He staggered to his feet, finding the warehouse doors wide open and completely empty.

"Where's the shipment?!" His roar echoed through the hollow space.

His men stirred groggily, exchanging confused looks. Trembling, Scar dialed Dominic Atlante.

"Boss... we have a problem."

At the Integrity Group headquarters, top-floor office.

Dominic slammed his fist on the desk, splitting the solid wood. "What did you say?"

Scar's voice shook. "The shipment... it's all gone."

"Useless!" Dominic hurled his phone against the wall, shattering it. He yanked open a drawer and pulled out a pistol, cocking it with a sharp click.

His assistant hesitantly offered a backup phone. "Sir, should we alert the authorities?"

"Authorities?" Dominic's laugh was icy. "You want the whole city knowing Dominic Atlante got robbed?"

His fingers traced the gun barrel thoughtfully. "Find them. Tear this city apart if you have to."

Meanwhile, at an abandoned factory on the outskirts.

Vivian finished inventorying the last crate, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips. Finn Deross's frantic voice buzzed in her earpiece. "Are you insane? That was my uncle's shipment!"

"And?" She casually wiped down her pistol.

Finn sounded ready to combust. "He'll track you down in three days and carve you into pieces!"

Vivian chuckled, holstering her weapon. "Let him try."

Outside the window, the sun breached the horizon. This game was just beginning.