The plan was simple, ruthless, and entirely reliant on Rayyan's ability to control chaos and Ishaal's ability to draw Agha out.
Ishaal spent the day in a state of nervous adrenaline. Rayyan had provided everything: a custom-fitted, elegant black dress—simple, yet stunning and a team of silent professionals who transformed her appearance.
At 9 p.m., Rayyan and Ishaal entered the Grand Raabistan Hall. The air was thick with perfume, power, and the quiet buzz of wealth. It was a world of masks, but Rayyan and Ishaal wore the deadliest masks of all: the poised host and the captivating date.
Rayyan was magnetic in a sharp tuxedo, moving through the crowd with the controlled power of a king in his court. Ishaal, clinging to his arm, felt the eyes of the city on them. She wasn't just with him; she was claimed by him, a brilliant new acquisition that everyone wanted to know about.
They moved toward the VIP lounge, the final stage of the trap. Rayyan guided her toward a secluded balcony overlooking the main floor.
"He's here," Rayyan murmured in her ear, his breath cool. "My surveillance confirms Agha Sarfaraz Khan has entered the building. He's observed you. He's waiting for his moment."
Ishaal's stomach twisted. She looked at the laptop Rayyan had left open on a small table—the only thing on it was the "Parasite Network" file, ready to be deployed.
"Remember the agreement," Rayyan continued, his grip tightening protectively. "We leak the name of one small utility company he controls just enough to get his attention. Then we wait for him to move against the source."
Suddenly, Rayyan's private earpiece crackled with static. He frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly a tiny crack in his facade. He moved closer to Ishaal, shielding her slightly.
"Status, Zameer?" he whispered into his lapel mic.
Zameer's voice, usually calm, was clipped with fear. "Sir, we have a security breach. It's not Agha's usual perimeter team. It's... a much more personal team. And sir, one of our inner circle Kamil he's not responding. He was last seen near the main server room."
Rayyan's jaw tightened. Betrayal. A direct internal threat.
"He's moving too fast," Rayyan hissed to Ishaal, his mind racing. "Agha didn't wait for the leak. He's using the chaos to get to the data before we release it. And he has a mole inside."
Rayyan looked at the laptop, then at Ishaal. He had to go to the server room and handle the betrayal and the threat to his data, but that meant leaving Ishaal the target alone.
"The trap is springing early," Rayyan said, his voice a low, dangerous growl. He placed his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to look him in the eyes. "I have to move to the server room. Now, Ishaal. You have to buy me ten minutes. Sing."
Ishaal didn't hesitate. She grabbed the microphone stand that was set up on the balcony for her unscheduled performance.
"I won't just sing," she promised, her eyes blazing with cold defiance and a frightening new determination. "I'll sing the whole truth."