Clara's entire body went cold.
Daniel's voice still echoed in her ear — Bring me your puppet master.
But before she could respond, another voice broke into the line.
Smooth. Warm. Amused.
"That won't be necessary."
Every muscle in Clara's body froze.
He was already there.
Daniel went silent on the other end.
The mastermind chuckled softly.
"Daniel. Leo. Ryo. Sara. You're all listening, aren't you?"
Leo muttered, "How the hell did he—"
"Please," the man continued casually. "Do you really think I wouldn't notice when you left such an obvious file sitting out like candy?"
Clara's knees weakened.
He knew. He allowed it.
"Consider this my reply," he said gently.
BOOM.
A thunderous explosion shook the city — the windows of Clara's archive room rattling violently.
Leo jumped to his feet. "Explosion detected! South wing of the Foundation HQ!"
Ryo cursed. "That's the research lab! There were people there!"
Daniel shot up from his chair. "Deploy fire suppression and evacuate everyone — NOW!"
The mastermind's voice hummed with delight.
"A false blueprint deserves a real warning, don't you think?"
Sara's penthouse lights flickered as emergency alerts flooded every screen.
Videos of smoke rising from the Foundation building filled the news feeds.
Clara dropped to her knees, horror spreading across her face.
"You didn't need to do this—!"
The man's tone remained affectionate.
"Clara, Clara… sweet snake. You hesitated. You wavered. So I had to remind everyone — I am not to be tested."
Daniel's voice returned, calm but deadly.
"Your games end here."
The mastermind smiled through the line.
"Oh, Daniel. We're only at the opening move."
Click.
The call ended.
But the war had just begun.