🌑 Episode 21
The Hidden Mastermind
The next morning felt unusually quiet.
Ariba and Ryan sat inside a small café near the university.
Both of them looked exhausted.
Ryan placed a newspaper on the table.
The headline read:
"Unknown Sniper Attack Linked to Phoenix Case."
Ariba sighed.
"So now they're openly attacking us."
Ryan leaned forward.
"Victor was right about one thing."
Ariba looked up.
"There's someone bigger controlling Phoenix."
Suddenly Ariba remembered the name Victor had whispered on the phone.
Her face turned pale.
Ryan noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
Ariba hesitated.
"The name Victor said… it can't be true."
Ryan looked serious.
"Tell me."
Ariba slowly spoke the name.
Ryan's eyes widened in shock.
"That's impossible."
Because the name Victor had said was someone they both trusted for years.
Someone powerful.
Someone close to Ariba's father.
At that moment the café television suddenly showed breaking news.
"Breaking News: Victor Hale has officially escaped police custody."
Ariba stood up instantly.
"This means the game has just started again."
Ryan nodded slowly.
"And this time… the enemy knows everything about us."
Outside the café, a black car stopped quietly.
Inside the car, a mysterious man watched Ariba through dark glasses.
He spoke softly into his phone.
"Yes."
"I found her."
And the next phase of Phoenix…
Was about to begin.
To Be Continued…
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