Chapter 3

Intrigue ahead.

**Sunday, 22:00. Victor Vex's Nightclub – "Eclipse"**

Ethan, Lena, and Jax infiltrated Victor's inner circle using their carefully crafted covers:

* Ethan: "Rivan" – high-stakes gambler and potential business partner

* Lena: "Lila" – exotic dancer and Victor's rumored interest

* Jax: "Kato" – former mercenary turned head of Eclipse security

As they mingled with Victor's entourage, Lena whispered to Ethan:

"Lila/Vault access granted. Backdoors planted. Waiting for your signal."

Just then, Victor appeared, eyes locking onto Ethan.

"Rivan, welcome. I see you're acquainted with Lila... and my new head of security, Kato."

Ethan smiled, extending his hand.

"Victor, always pleased to discuss potential investments... and alliances."

But suddenly,

Jax's comms device beeped. He glanced at the message, face darkening.

"Zero, we have a problem. Lexi's been compromised – working with Victor all along."

Ethan's mind reeled as Jax's words hung in the air – Lexi, his former ally and complicated past love, betraying him to Victor Vex.

Victor sneered, enjoying Ethan's shock.

"Lexi Thompson – your loyal friend – has been feeding me intel for months. Her price: protection from Vladimir's wrath... and a share of my empire."

Ethan's eyes locked onto Lexi, standing beside Victor – her expression a mix of fear and defiance.

"Why, Lexi?" Ethan asked, voice low and even, betraying his turmoil.

Lexi took a step forward, voice barely above whisper.

"Vladimir threatened my family, Zero. Victor offered salvation... and revenge against Marcus Blackwood."

Jax moved closer, hand resting on Ethan's shoulder – a silent warning to keep calm.

Victor continued, relishing the drama.

"Now, Rivan – aka Zero – you'll join Lexi in loyalty... or suffer consequences."

Ethan smiled grimly, stalling for time.

"I'm listening, Victor. Explain these... consequences."

Ethan's spirit remains unbroken.

Ethan's mind raced with escape routes and revenge strategies.

He nodded slowly at Victor, feigning surrender.

"Consequences noted, Victor. Lexi's betrayal... painful. I'll cooperate – for now."

Victor sneered, victorious prematurely.

"Guards, escort Rivan to our holding cell. Lexi, ensure his... comfort."

As guards moved towards him, Ethan subtly nodded at Jax and Lena – signal given.

Jax took down guards silently; Lena hacked security feeds, looping footage.

Ethan seized Victor's wrist, twisting it brutally.

"Counterstrike initiated, Victor. Lexi – choose wisely."

Lexi hesitated, then joined Ethan's side, striking Victor's guards.

Victor screamed, enraged, as Ethan's team escaped into Eclipse's chaos.

Ethan's team infiltrated Victor's HQ, targeting the heart of his empire: servers containing financial records, client data, and illegal operations evidence.

Lena hacked mainframes while Jax provided cover; Ethan and Lexi (now allied again) accessed physical servers.

"Deleting all records... including money trails and client lists," Lena announced, eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"Victor's empire is crumbling," Ethan added, destroying hardware. "Time for public exposure."

Lexi nodded, already composing an anonymous tip for authorities and media outlets.

"Victor Vex's crimes will soon headline every news channel."

Just then, alarms blared – Victor had arrived with reinforcements.

"Final showdown approaching," Jax warned, readying defenses.

Ethan smiled grimly.

"Let Victor come. We end this tonight."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***