Charles captured everyone's attention. Meanwhile, Zenne continued scanning for potential traitors within their organization.
You all argue. I'll focus on the ones we're overlooking, he thought, sighing inwardly. He was trying to assist Vince, who was already grappling with mounting problems.
"Hm, what do you think, William?" Felix asked.
"Do you think you can keep up with him, Charles?" William turned the question on him.
Charles simply sighed.
"If he wants to play mind games, then I'll play right back."
"I love that confidence," Felix said with a grin.
There they go again, Zenne could only shake his head at the two.
"Cut it out, Vince," he added, seeing Vince about to respond.
"What about you, Felix? Do you think you can outwit him?" Charles asked.
Felix gave a cryptic smile. "The real question is: can he predict what I'm thinking? I'll admit, he's a formidable opponent—but now our problems have multiplied."
"Felix, we get it. No need to rub it in," Vince muttered, irritated.
"Let's focus," Jake sighed. "We've still got a lot to discuss."
"I've got a solution," Felix said calmly. "I'm going into the Fuego mansion."
Everyone froze.
Zenne even checked his audio connection, unsure if he had heard Felix correctly.
"Have you completely lost your mind?" Charles asked.
"We need a real solution right now," Vince said firmly. "Do you want to walk to your death?"
"Is that your grand plan?" Charles added, exasperated. "You just made things worse."
Felix remained composed. "That's why I asked if he could keep up with my thought process. This is my way in—my chance to trace every step, especially those of Don Bernard Fuego."
"Fine," Vince said, exhaling. "But how exactly do you plan to infiltrate the enemy's stronghold?"
"You know that the surname Blanco-Tejero is on their blacklist," Vince continued. "If you step foot in there, Giovane will definitely ask about your connection to me."
Zenne nodded, analyzing the risk.
"Blanco is infamous because of your mother's involvement with that monster's first husband," Vince added.
"I'm your cousin, Vince," Felix replied. "Do you think I'd use our family name and endanger everyone? Who handled the paperwork for Mikaela and Chesca before? That was me."
Vince paused, thinking about it.
"Ha—! Fine, whatever. What's the point of this discussion if you've already made up your mind?" Vince said, frustrated.
"You can't just walk in there," Charles chimed in. "Even with an alias, they'll dig into your background."
Felix just smiled at him.
"Then tell me, Charles—how did you deceive the two Fuegos and hide the fact that you're a Roman? How did youmanage it?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"I know you have tricks up your sleeve. Care to share them?"
Charles fell silent. He wasn't sure what to make of Felix's current mindset.
Just then, something caught his eye on the CCTV feeds. On one screen, a figure entered a hut holding a USB and talking on a phone. On another feed, someone attacked the basement—where William had hidden the rescued women.
He swallowed hard. The attacker's face was obscured. The guard was dead.
"Oh no," he whispered.
"Something wrong?" William asked.
"The spy's made their move," Charles said grimly. "And worse—it's the basement. The place where you hid the rescued women."
"What?!" William stood up in alarm, pulling out his phone to call someone. The panic was clear in his voice.
Charles quickly shared the CCTV footage on the screen. Felix and Vince leaned in, frowning.
"This is bad," Felix muttered. "One of the women we rescued—she's the spy. Paid off by the Fuegos."
Vince looked horrified. "We were too late."
"She's already compromised the basement," Felix added. "One step ahead of us again."
"I've already contacted our other members," Vince said, still dialing.
"Then prioritize these people," Charles interrupted, flashing names and faces across their screens. "These are our top suspects. Focus on them."
Zenne studied the list and exchanged a glance with Vince. Both nodded in agreement—they had the same suspicions.
"Keep tracking them, Zenne," Charles ordered.
He nodded and began coordinating efforts to extract and protect the remaining women.
"We have to be prepared for the worst," Vince said. "If they torture the women, they might give us up in exchange for their freedom."
"We need to postpone this meeting," Charles said urgently. "Vince, keep a close eye on Thalia. I have a vision—she's going to meet someone soon, possibly Isabel… or the woman who just escaped the basement."
He trusted Felix's premonitions. They were never wrong.
Isabel's involved, isn't she? Charles thought grimly. She knows what's going on—and she's helping her brother.
He needed to examine each of their personalities to anticipate their next moves. But before that, he had more pressing matters.
First, the basement.
He stood up, grabbed his gun, and prepared for whatever he might face down there. He had to be ready—because this was no longer just a mission.
This was war.