🧾 RECAP:
After avenging his father's death in Kazan, Neil finds a mysterious brass key belonging to Viktor Ivanov. This key leads him to a high-security vault in Zurich, where he discovers blueprints, encrypted drives, and a photo linking his family's demise to one of the world's most notorious cartel leaders: Roman Cortez.
đź“– CHAPTER 5: The Key to the Storm
The private jet hummed steadily as it glided over Eastern Europe, slicing through the midnight clouds like a predator on the hunt. Neil sat alone, his face calm, but his fingers nervously rolled the brass key that Viktor had worn around his neck.
Across from him, Lydia's voice crackled through the secure laptop screen. "We traced the symbol on the key. It matches a vault in Zurich. Swiss banking... old money, deep secrets."
"What's in the vault?" Neil asked, curiosity piqued.
"No idea," she replied. "But Horizon's blueprints label it as Phase Three. Whatever it is, it was significant enough to get your father killed."
Neil shut the laptop and stood up, pacing toward the window. Below him, the world lay dark and silent. Yet he could sense it—wheels turning, guns loading, eyes watching.
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Zurich, Switzerland – Two Days Later
The snow-covered city appeared serene, but Neil knew better. Peace was just a well-dressed illusion.
Dressed in a tailored coat and gloves, he entered Valhalla Trust Bank, the oldest private vault in Europe. He handed the key to the manager—a thin man in a silk tie who didn't flinch at names or threats.
"This way, Mr. Angelo," the man said with a polite nod.
They descended three levels underground, passing through retina scans, biometric locks, and pressure sensors.
Finally, the last door swung open.
Inside was a single object: a metal suitcase.
Neil opened it.
Inside—blueprints, encrypted drives, and a list of global offshore accounts linked to syndicates in Russia, China, the US, India, and Brazil.
But that wasn't all.
Tucked beneath the drives was a faded photograph. His father. His mother. And a young man standing beside them.
Neil froze.
The man wasn't family.
He was Roman Cortez—head of the South American cartel, and one of the world's most dangerous men.
On the back of the photo was a message:
"If I die, it starts with Roman."
Neil's heart pounded. It was never just a betrayal.
It was a war waiting to begin.
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Outside the Vault
Tatiana waited beside the car, scanning the rooftops.
"What did you find?" she asked.
Neil looked at her, then at the snow falling gently around them.
"A storm," he said. "And we're standing in its eye."
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🔫 *To Be Continued in Chapter 6: "The Cartel Connection"*