The week leading up to the charity auction was a masterclass in covert operations.
"Operation: Scouting Report Daniel" was officially underway, and it was the most important match of their lives.
Ethan and Leo spent their evenings in a series of hushed, conspiratorial video calls with their man on the inside, Liam.
The hospital room had been transformed into a virtual war room, with Liam, now officially their 'Head of Opposition Analysis', directing the operation with a tactical brilliance that was both terrifying and magnificent.
"Okay, gents," Liam's voice would crackle through the phone, a modern-day general addressing his troops. "Phase one is simple reconnaissance. Ethan, you're the inside man. You have direct access to the target's primary associate: your sister. I need you to gather intel. What does he like? What does he talk about? Does he have any weaknesses? A fear of spiders? A crippling allergy to bad puns?"
