That morning, the city looked normal.
A pale blue sky stretched above the tall buildings, then traffic began to move as usual. People walked toward their offices, vehicles filled the main roads, and life seemed to proceed without interruption.
But for Ethan Sterling, that morning felt far from normal.
He stood in his office, staring at the computer screen with a tense face.
On the screen was a city map with several red dots.
Each dot represented a possible location of Dr. Victor Hale.
Daniel stood near the desk with his arms crossed over his chest.
"These are all places that could be used as safe houses," he said.
Ethan nodded slowly.
"And all of them are linked to shell companies."
Daniel pointed to one of the dots on the outskirts of the city.
"This one only appeared two weeks ago."
Ethan stared at the dot a little longer.
"Marcus?"
Daniel shook his head.
"Not necessarily."
He pressed a key on the keyboard, then opened another file.
"But the owner of this shell company once worked at one of Sterling Biotech's subsidiaries."
Ethan let out a slow breath.
"We're back to Marcus again."
Daniel looked at the screen seriously.
"The problem isn't just Marcus."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Daniel shifted his chair slightly.
"Leonard Graves."
The name immediately changed the atmosphere in the room.
Ethan walked toward the window.
He stared at the city spread out below him.
"Leonard knows more than he's saying."
Daniel nodded.
"And he's also far too calm."
Ethan spoke softly,
"People like him don't just show up for no reason."
Daniel moved closer to the desk again.
"That means Victor Hale is very important."
Ethan turned around.
"Yes."
He looked at the map screen again.
"If Victor really knows what happened that night…"
Daniel finished his sentence,
"…then he's the final piece of the puzzle."
The room fell silent for a few seconds.
Ethan finally spoke,
"We have to find him first."
Daniel nodded.
"If Marcus finds him first…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
But Ethan already understood.
Victor Hale wouldn't last long.
Meanwhile, at Marcus Sterling's large mansion, the atmosphere felt much calmer.
Marcus sat in his office with a glass of coffee in his hand.
In front of him, Victor Hale still sat with his hands bound.
The scientist's face looked paler than the night before.
Marcus calmly studied Victor's expression.
"You don't look like someone who slept well."
Victor stared at the floor.
"I won't talk."
Marcus smiled faintly.
"You've already said that."
He stood up and walked toward the large window.
The overnight rain had stopped.
The morning sky looked clear.
But for Victor, the view brought no peace at all.
Marcus spoke without turning around,
"Ethan Sterling is looking for you."
Victor closed his eyes for a moment.
"I know."
Marcus turned around.
"Interesting."
He walked back to the desk.
"You seem more afraid of someone who hasn't arrived yet than the person standing right in front of you."
Victor lifted his head.
"You don't understand."
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
"If I understood, I wouldn't need to ask."
Victor looked at Marcus with tired eyes.
"You think that night was only about Helios technology."
Marcus waited.
Victor continued in a low voice,
"But there's something bigger."
Marcus narrowed his eyes.
"Helix."
Victor laughed bitterly.
"Helix is just the outer layer."
Marcus was silent for a few seconds.
The words caught his attention.
"Then what's behind it?"
Victor didn't answer.
He bowed his head again.
Marcus let out a small sigh.
"What a shame."
He picked up the tablet on the desk and pressed a button.
The monitor screen on the wall lit up.
Showing security camera footage.
The mansion's gate was visible on the screen.
But what made Victor turn pale immediately was the two figures standing in front of the gate.
Ethan.
And Daniel.
Marcus smiled faintly.
"It seems our guests have arrived."
Victor whispered,
"No…"
Marcus looked at him.
"Why?"
Victor shook his head frantically.
"If Ethan finds out everything…"
Marcus spoke calmly,
"Aren't you afraid of that?"
Victor looked at him with eyes full of despair.
"It's not Ethan you should be afraid of."
Marcus tilted his head slightly.
"Then who?"
Victor swallowed hard.
But before he could answer, the sound of footsteps was heard from outside the office.
A guard entered with a serious face.
"Sir, they're asking to speak with you."
Marcus smiled.
"Of course they are."
He stood up and straightened his suit.
Victor spoke quickly,
"You can't let them in!"
Marcus looked at him.
"Why not?"
Victor almost shouted,
"Because if Ethan sees me here."
Marcus cut him off.
"He'll get the answers he's looking for."
Victor shook his head hard.
"No… you don't understand…"
Marcus looked at him coldly.
"On the contrary."
He walked toward the door.
"I understand perfectly."
Marcus paused for a moment before exiting.
"Which is exactly why I want to see what happens next."
The office door closed.
Victor was left alone in the room.
His hands were trembling.
His mind was filled with a single fear he couldn't shake off.
If Ethan discovered the truth…
then the person who was actually behind everything.
would return.
And when that happened…
no one would survive.
Outside the mansion's gate, Ethan stood with a calm face.
But Daniel knew his friend was holding back a great deal.
The tall iron gate slowly opened.
A guard came out.
"Mr. Sterling will see you now."
Ethan nodded.
He and Daniel walked inside, passing through the spacious yard toward the mansion.
Their steps were steady.
No hesitation.
But as they approached the main door, Daniel spoke softly,
"I don't like this."
Ethan didn't stop walking.
"Why?"
Daniel looked around.
"It's too easy."
Ethan smiled faintly.
"That's what makes it interesting."
The mansion door opened.
Marcus Sterling stood there with a calm smile.
"Ethan."
The man's voice sounded casual.
"It's been a long time since we've spoken face to face."
Ethan stopped a few steps from the door.
Their gazes met.
Two men from the same family.
But now standing on opposite sides.
Ethan spoke softly,
"I'm looking for someone."
Marcus nodded.
"I know."
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
"Victor Hale."
Marcus didn't look surprised at all.
Instead, he stepped aside, clearing the way into the mansion.
"In that case…"
his smile widened slightly.
"…you've come to the right place."