Karvel's private transformation chamber fell silent as he methodically removed the last traces of his Sebastian Sterling disguise, his mind still processing Vivian's dangerous threat to expose him for murder.The ornate grandfather clock in the corner chimed midnight as he contemplated how to handle this new complication.She's forcing my hand with blackmail, Karvel thought grimly. I need to neutralize this threat without actually harming her.His secure burner phone suddenly rang with an encrypted number he didn't recognize, interrupting his strategic planning with its urgent tone."Yes?" Karvel answered cautiously."Mr. Cross, this is Dr. Edmund Yale," came the familiar but strained voice through the speaker."I know I have no right to ask after what happened, but I desperately need your help.""Dr. Yale?" Karvel replied with genuine surprise."I thought Leo Romano made it clear that our professional relationship was terminated permanently.""He did, and I'm deeply ashamed of how I

The yacht's medical bay was a state-of-the-art facility that rivaled most major hospitals, equipped with isolation chambers, advanced monitoring systems.And every piece of diagnostic equipment money could buy.Dr. Yale led Karvel through the sterile corridors with obvious trepidation."Before we proceed," Karvel said with clinical directness, "I need to know who patient zero is. The source of any outbreak is crucial for understanding transmission patterns.""That's... that's part of why this situation requires such discretion," Dr. Yale replied with obvious discomfort."Patient zero is an exotic dancer named Valentina Rossi who was flown in from Eastern Europe specifically for this party.""Flown in by whom?" Karvel pressed with professional intensity."The yacht's owner, Marcus Benedetti," Dr. Yale admitted reluctantly."He's been a close personal friend for over twenty years, which is why he called me instead of going through official medical channels.""Dr. Yale," Karvel said with

The transformation from Karvel Cross back to Sebastian Sterling took place in the estate's hidden chamber as dawn broke over Carson City.The prosthetic features, contact lenses, and carefully applied makeup restored the criminal persona that Leo Romano trusted implicitly.From solving ancient plagues to playing the role of a ruthless thug, Sebastian thought with dark amusement as he adjusted his expensive suit. The duality continues to serve its purpose perfectly.His phone buzzed with a message from Leo's security team requesting his presence at the Romano estate for an update on the casino investigation.Sebastian smiled coldly as he prepared to deliver his fabricated report about the "mysterious enemy" who was systematically attacking Leo's empire.The Romano estate buzzed with nervous energy as Sebastian's convoy approached the main entrance.Staff members moved with obvious tension while security personnel maintained heightened alertness throughout the grounds."Mr. Sterling," T

Sebastian was halfway to his vehicle when the unmistakable roar of Leo's Bentley announced his return to the estate.The car screeched to a halt in the circular driveway with enough force to spray gravel across the manicured lawn, revealing Leo's deteriorating mental state through his increasingly reckless driving.Perfect timing, Sebastian thought with dark satisfaction as he watched Leo emerge from the vehicle like a man possessed.He's exactly as unhinged as I need him to be.Leo slammed his car door with enough violence to rattle the windows, his expensive suit wrinkled and his usually perfect hair disheveled from running his hands through it repeatedly.Dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn't slept properly in days."STERLING!" Leo roared as he spotted Sebastian near the front entrance."WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?""Mr. Romano," Sebastian replied with apparent surprise at Leo's aggressive tone."I was waiting for you to return so I could deliver my report on the casino

Sebastian's convoy departed the Romano estate with the satisfaction of having successfully redirected Leo's suspicions away from Karvel Cross, but the encounter had revealed the dangerous volatility lurking beneath Leo's increasingly paranoid facade.I can't trust him to remain rational, Sebastian thought as he reviewed the evening's psychological manipulation.His mental state is deteriorating faster than anticipated, which makes him both more dangerous and more unpredictable.The success of his first two operations against Leo's empire had exceeded expectations, but Sebastian knew that escalation required increasingly sophisticated attacks to maintain the psychological pressure while avoiding detection.Time for the third phase, he decided with cold calculation.Something that will hit Leo where it really hurts—his financial infrastructure.Gesher's Private Banking occupied a fortress-like building in Carson City's financial district, its reinforced concrete walls and advanced secur