As they walked through the dark alley behind the auction house, Vincenzo's mind raced with calculations and opportunities.The old man had just accomplished something that should have been impossible - eliminating Viktor Kozlov with nothing more than a cane and surgical precision.But now that the hard work was done, Vincenzo saw no reason to remain subordinate to someone he viewed as a temporary ally.I know the rest of the plan, Vincenzo thought as he watched the elderly figure shuffling ahead of him.Plant evidence linking Kozlov to the Russian Bratva, present his body as proof that I eliminated the threat. I don't need this old fool anymore."Excellent work back there," Vincenzo said, his voice carefully neutral. "Your technique was... impressive.""Thank you," Yemin replied in his quavering elderly voice."Now we need to focus on the next phase. We'll need to plant the evidence carefully to make it convincing.""About that," Vincenzo said, suddenly stopping in his tracks. "I've b

Three days after the warehouse incident, the Sphinx organization's encrypted communication networks buzzed with activity as reports filtered in from their investigative teams.In a secure conference room, the remaining leadership gathered to review the findings that would reshape their understanding of recent events.Agent Collins spread crime scene photographs across the polished mahogany table, his expression grim as he addressed the assembled members."Gentlemen," Collins began, his voice carrying the weight of bad news, "I've completed my analysis of the Vincenzo Torrino situation, and the results are... conclusive."Lorenzo Romano leaned forward, his weathered face showing concern."What did you find?""Vincenzo died as a hero," Collins replied, pointing to a series of photographs."He tracked down Viktor 'The Phantom' Kozlov, the legendary assassin responsible for killing Joseph Ultra and Marco Benedetti.""And?" Salvatore Greco prompted impatiently."Both men died in the confro

As Yemin gathered his belongings and prepared to head to the fighters' quarters, a familiar voice called out from behind him, causing him to freeze mid-step."Yemin! Wait!"He turned to see Katherine Shaw pushing through the crowd of spectators and fighters, her designer dress completely out of place in the grimy warehouse environment. Her perfectly styled hair and expensive jewelry made her stand out like a diamond in a coal mine."Katherine," Yemin said with obvious displeasure, "what are you doing here?""I came to see you," she said breathlessly, having clearly rushed to catch up with him. "We need to talk.""If this is about James and his childish behavior at the charity dinner, I have no interest in dealing with that again," Yemin said firmly. "I've tolerated enough of his tantrums.""No, no, that's not why I'm here," Katherine said quickly, her voice taking on a pleading tone. "James doesn't even know I came here tonight.""Then what do you want?" Yemin asked impatiently, glanc

The fighters' accommodation was a converted motel on the outskirts of the warehouse district, its neon sign flickering intermittently in the night air.Yemin approached the front desk with his single duffel bag slung over his shoulder, his plain clothes and modest appearance making him look more like a lost tourist than a professional fighter.Behind the reception desk sat a greasy-haired man in his forties, his arms covered in poorly done tattoos and his face bearing the scars of someone who had seen too many fights from the losing side.He looked up from his magazine as Yemin approached, his expression immediately shifting to one of disdain."Yeah, what do you want?" the receptionist asked rudely, not bothering to set down his magazine."I need a room," Yemin said politely, placing his accommodation slip on the counter."I registered for the fights tonight and was told to come here."The receptionist glanced at the slip, then looked Yemin up and down with obvious contempt."Sorry, p

The elevator dinged softly as it reached the third floor, and the doors slid open to reveal a hallway filled with fighters heading to their rooms.Several men turned to look as the tension inside the small elevator became immediately apparent."Look, I'm grateful for your help getting the room," Yemin said calmly, his duffel bag still firmly in his grip, "but I'm not going to let you search my bag.""You're grateful?" Crusher Morrison laughed harshly, his massive frame blocking most of the elevator entrance. "Old man, gratitude don't pay the bills. Now hand over that bag before I lose my patience completely."Three of Crusher's associates stepped closer to the elevator, their expressions showing a mixture of amusement and anticipation for the violence to come."Yo, Crusher," called out Rico Santelli, a wiry fighter with prison tattoos covering his neck, "what's taking so long? Just take the old fool's bag already.""The geezer's being stubborn," Crusher replied, cracking his knuckles