Sebastian

I was feeling anxious after getting only half the information about that woman. I could not understand why I was so agitated, yet the urge to know more about her grew stronger inside me. Punishing Vincent had given me fleeting gratification, but a part of me knew-it was not my role. That right belonged to her, not me.

I returned to my room that night, restless, and decided that the following morning I would confront Avi about it. He was the only one who could provide me with what I sought.

The Next Morning

I finished my morning routine quickly and headed straight to my study. As soon as I stepped inside, I locked the door carefully behind me.

The library section of my study had always fascinated me. The towering bookshelves were not ordinary; they were exquisitely crafted in a medieval architectural style. Their very presence gave the room a sense of timelessness and hidden power.

I stood before one particular shelf, eyes narrowing as a faint smile curled across my face. I reached out and pulled a specific red book, and instantly, the mechanism clicked. A section of the shelf shifted with a soft unlocking sound, revealing a concealed door behind it.

This was no ordinary hidden chamber. Behind the shelf lay a secret elevator. Its lock was mechanical, impossible to breach by any digital hacking system. A deliberate design choice.

I stepped inside the elevator. As it descended nine levels below ground, anticipation built in my chest. At last, the doors opened to Cloud Nine-our headquarters, our lifeline, our fortress against the world.

Cloud Nine was more than just a basement; it was the nerve center of my entire organization. Here, multiple departments watched over the activities of agencies like the FBI, Interpol, Europol, and countless others whose sole target was us.

Walking into Avi's chamber, I found him as I had expected-sitting rigidly in front of his colossal supercomputer. Several monitors flickered before him, intricate codes and complex data streams running seamlessly across the screens. His fingers moved furiously over the keyboard, typing with the conviction of a man chasing perfection.

What he was working on was not ordinary. It was a project I had dreamt of for years-one designed to track the global market system in real-time, enabling us to manipulate, control, and even dominate crucial financial networks. Through this, we could become untouchable on an economic scale.

He was so immersed in his task that he didn't even notice me standing quietly behind him. Watching him from the shadows, I studied his frame-clad in a thin white T-shirt and black jeans. The golden rims of his glasses gleamed faintly under the glow of the monitors.

"YES!"

His sudden exclamation surprise me. He leapt up from his chair, punching the air with a triumphant grin. But the moment his eyes fell on me, the expression evaporated, replaced by fear.

"M-Master!" he stammered. "We... we finally cracked the code of the International World Trade Building's network. Within months, we'll be able to integrate our systems there."

Pride swelled inside me, though his unease did not escape my notice. Something about him was... off. His eyes couldn't hide it. He kept glancing toward a small device secured on his desk-a voice recorder, or perhaps a communicator.

I chose to dismiss that for now and brought up the matter that brought me here.

"Have you completed the research on Ms. Erika Carter? Alexis handed me an incomplete file yesterday. What are we missing, Avi?" My tone was cold, firm, leaving no room for evasions.

He hesitated, then began carefully. "Yes, Master... while tracing information on Ms. Carter, something unusual happened. There was an accident just before her missing complaint was lodged. Locals mentioned she underwent some surgery, but the records don't specify what kind. Every file has been erased from the hospital's system. And the doctor who was supposedly treating her... vanished days later."

He dropped his head in shame. "I'm sorry, Master. It seems to be a dead end."

I exhaled heavily, fatigue dripping into my voice. "Close it. You've done enough. We won't waste further resources chasing a shadow."

For a moment, I tried to convince myself Erika Carter was nothing but a passing distraction. A daydream to be dismissed. But before I could turn away-

"Help! Help! Please, Avirudh, I didn't kill your brother! You have to believe me! Please... I didn't kill your brother-"

The voice of a girl, desperate and trembling, erupted from the device on his desk. My steps froze instantly. Avi rushed forward and slammed the device off-but it was too late.

Recognition hit me like a storm. My anger surged. Without hesitation, I seized his collar, yanking him close. His skin paled.

"What the hell is she still doing in your chamber, Avi?! I explicitly ordered you to free her last week. You've had your revenge against her family. Her father-do you understand who he is? He's not just a man, he's a wounded beast. A ruthless politician with enough influence to crush us. Keeping her here risks everything! I won't jeopardize the organization for your personal vendetta. Release her! Now!"

My fury nearly consumed me-I wanted to snap his neck right there. But then... something flickered in his eyes, something unshakable. Not terror. Not submission. Defiance.

"Master," Avi said firmly, meeting my gaze with burning red eyes, "I'm not finished with her. She still has her sanity intact. My revenge is only halfway done. When I return her to her father, she will be nothing more than a walking corpse. Just give me one more week."

His voice cut deep, rigid with conviction.

I held him by the collar a moment longer, then released him with a sharp push. He straightened, fixing his disheveled attire with calm precision.

"You have one week. No more. And mind you-Rmeta. Did you even think of her when dragging this girl into your torture?"

Rmeta, my cousin, had harbored a quiet longing for the young woman. Their bond had been close; but feelings ran deeper than friendship when it came to her.

Avi's expression did not waver. "With respect, Master... Rmeta's feelings mean nothing to me. We are friends, nothing beyond that. I have no intention of crossing those boundaries."

Cold. Distant. Uncompromising. That was Avi.

I studied him silently, realizing the truth. His words meant inevitable heartache for my cousin. Yet... one cannot force sentiment where none exists.

"Just one week," I repeated firmly. He nodded, bowing respectfully as I turned toward the exit.

Despite my anger, pride lingered in me as I thought of him. Avi had proven himself more than once-an invaluable part of my organization. I still remembered our first meeting vividly.

Ten years ago, during a bloody conflict in Italy, I found a seventeen-year-old boy half-dead, lying in a dumpster, his pulse faint, his body battered and drenched in blood.

"Save me... and I'll be your slave forever."

Those were his words. Barely whispered, yet unforgettable. Against all odds, he survived. Not only lived, but carved his place beside me as a loyal brother-in-arms, guided by vengeance.

Vengeance-that force that reshaped both our lives. That cursed gift that granted us a second chance.

My thoughts drifted until I found myself already in the castle garage. Sliding into one of my luxury cars, I notified Daniel of my departure.

The engines roared to life, and soon we were on our way. A convoy of Daniel's security vehicles encircled me in a tight formation.

It was time to meet Ryan-to update him on upcoming events, and to unearth what had been troubling him these past few days. His silence had grown louder, and silence in my world was never harmless.

We headed straight toward Ryan's seven-star club.

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