Chapter 4 - The Poisoned Invitation
Night fell over the city as rain began to slick the asphalt streets.
Ethan led a trembling Victoria down a narrow, dim alleyway behind the commercial district.
They stopped in front of a weathered wooden door tucked behind a local diner.
Ethan pulled a simple brass key from his pocket and unlocked the heavy door.
Inside was a modest, tiny apartment filled with rows of server racks and surveillance monitors.
Dozens of camera feeds from across the city flickered across the wall.
Victoria looked around the cramped room in utter disbelief.
"You live in a basement?" she asked, her voice still trembling.
"You own a multi-million dollar car, but you live here?" she added.
"Wealth is loud, Victoria," Ethan replied, placing the pistol on a metal workbench.
"Real power is quiet."
He tossed her a clean towel to dry off from the rain.
She sat on the edge of a worn wooden chair, looking smaller than ever.
Suddenly, an envelope slid softly under the apartment's front door.
Ethan turned instantly, his hand hovering over his weapon.
He heard the sound of footsteps retreating quickly up the alleyway.
He walked over slowly and picked up the heavy black envelope.
It was sealed with a crimson wax stamp depicting a coiled serpent.
Ethan broke the seal and pulled out a heavy card made of thick parchment.
Written in elegant gold calligraphy was a single line:
"The Chairman requests your presence at the Grand Vanguard Gala at midnight."
At the bottom of the card was a small photograph taped to the paper.
Victoria leaned over to see what it was and gasped loudly.
The photograph showed an elderly man tied to a chair in a dark room.
"Father..." Victoria choked out, tears instantly filling her eyes.
"They have my father!" she cried, grabbing Ethan’s arm desperately.
Ethan stared at the image with cold, unreadable eyes.
"This isn't a ransom note, Victoria," Ethan said quietly.
"It's a execution invitation."
"You have to save him!" Victoria begged, her previous arrogance completely gone.
Ethan looked down at her small, trembling hands holding his sleeve.
May you like
"Your father set me up," Ethan reminded her coldly.
"Why should I walk into a trap for the man who tried to kill me?"
