Yemin slipped out of the hospital through a service exit, his mind already calculating the timeline for James's condition. The neurotropic millipede would keep his would-be assassin incapacitated for approximately two weeks before the creature naturally exited through his digestive system, leaving him with a painful but educational experience.That should be sufficient time for James to reconsider his life choices, Yemin thought as he made his way toward another internet café to continue his investigation into Sphinx.Before he could reach his destination, his burner phone buzzed with an incoming call from Thomas. Yemin answered immediately, knowing his inside source only contacted him when something significant was happening."Mike, thank God I reached you," Thomas's voice was filled with nervous excitement. "There's been a development.""What kind of development?""The organization is calling another meeting. A big one, apparently. All the major players will be there."Finally, Yemi

Yemin arrived at the Grand Metropolitan Hotel with his heart pounding, abandoning his car with the valet and rushing directly toward the hotel's main entrance. The security checkpoint that would normally require invitation verification posed no challenge to someone with his skills and determination."Excuse me, sir, I need to see your invitation," called out one of the security guards as Yemin approached the ballroom doors."Emergency situation. Life and death," Yemin replied curtly, using a combination of confident body language and urgent tone to bypass the guard's resistance."Sir, I really need to check—"But Yemin was already pushing through the ornate double doors into the fundraising gala, his eyes immediately scanning the crowded ballroom for Marcus. The event was in full swing, with hundreds of the city's elite mingling over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while a string quartet provided elegant background music.To his immense relief, Yemin spotted Marcus near the center of the

Yemin turned to Patterson and the security team with urgent authority. "I need you to organize all the guests into a single group and start sending them to me one at a time for questioning and search.""Sir, that's going to cause even more protests," Patterson warned. "These people aren't accustomed to being treated like suspects.""I don't care about their comfort levels. Marcus is dying, and his killer is in this room. Start with the people who were closest to the stage during his speech."The poison is too sophisticated for a hospital antidote, Yemin calculated as he watched Marcus's breathing become increasingly labored. But whoever used it would never handle such a deadly contact toxin without carrying the specific antidote."Alright, everyone!" Patterson called out to the crowd. "We need you to form a line for security screening. This is temporary, but necessary for everyone's safety.""Security screening?" exploded a woman in diamonds. "I've never been so insulted in my entire

As Marcus regained his strength and color returned to his face, Yemin turned to Patterson and the security team with urgent instructions."Marcus should be stable now that he's received the antidote, but he needs immediate medical evaluation to ensure there are no lasting effects from the poisoning.""Thank you, sir," Patterson replied with obvious gratitude. "Without your intervention, Mr. Chen would certainly be dead. We owe you an enormous debt.""Just get him to the hospital and make sure he's properly monitored for the next twenty-four hours. Some exotic poisons can have delayed secondary effects.""We'll take him to Presbyterian immediately. Their toxicology department is the best in the city."As the security team carefully helped Marcus toward the exit, Yemin grabbed the assassin by the arm and pulled her to her feet."You're coming with me," he said firmly.The woman laughed in his face with contemptuous amusement. "You think you've won something here tonight, don't you? You

Faye stood up from her table at the museum, her patience finally exhausted after an hour of unanswered calls and growing humiliation. The elegant evening she had anticipated had turned into a nightmare of abandonment and embarrassment."That's it," she announced to herself, gathering her purse and wrap. "I'm done waiting for someone who clearly doesn't give a damn about basic human decency."As she turned toward the museum's exit, a massive figure stepped directly into her path. The man was enormously fat, easily over three hundred pounds, with greasy hair and small, predatory eyes that made her skin crawl."Well, hello there, beautiful," the man said in a voice that sounded like gravel mixed with honey. "I've been watching you all evening, and I have to say, you're absolutely stunning.""Excuse me, I need to get past," Faye replied curtly, trying to step around the enormous obstacle."Now, now, don't be in such a hurry," he continued, moving to block her path again. "I'm Joseph Ultra