"You don't know what you're messing with," Vanessa said, her voice dropping to something dangerous. "That compound—the one you STOLE from my apartment—it's not a toy. It's not a love potion. It's a neuropharmaceutical weapon that can cause permanent brain damage if used incorrectly."Victor's smug expression flickered. "I don't know what—""YES YOU DO!" Vanessa interrupted. "Stop lying! I can SEE what you did to Katarina! I can see the overdose symptoms! You used too much! You don't understand dosage, delivery, suggestion techniques—NOTHING!"She stepped closer, her corporate negotiator facade replaced by genuine fury. "So here's what's going to happen: You're going to give Katarina back. Right now. And you're going to hand over ALL the spray canisters you stole. Every single one. And maybe—MAYBE—I won't destroy you."Victor's smugness vanished completely, replaced by something mean, something vicious. "Or what? You'll call the cops with your illegal compound? You'll explain to them h

Vanessa drove home in silence, her mind working through the problem of Victor Chen and the stolen Mesmerizer. How had he even known about it? How had he found her apartment? How had he gotten past her security?Inside information, Vanessa concluded grimly. Someone told him. Someone who knew I had the compound. Someone who knew where I kept it.She made a mental list of people who might have that knowledge. The list was disturbingly short—which meant the betrayal had come from someone close.But that was a problem for later. Right now, she needed to focus on helping Katarina.The Mesmerizer had an antidote—a counter-compound that broke the neurological hold and restored normal brain function. Vanessa had prepared some months ago as a safety measure, stored it in her home laboratory alongside the other canisters.If I can get the antidote to Katarina, Vanessa thought, if I can dose her when Victor's not looking, she'll snap out of the control. She'll remember what he did. And then we ca

The crowd was still processing Viktor Konstantin's decision to allow Alexander into the tournament when a booming voice cut through the murmurs."THIS IS A JOKE!"Everyone turned.A massive figure strode toward the center mat—Trevor "The Hammer" Morrison, one of Fit Titans' most notorious third-tier fighters. Six-foot-six, two hundred eighty pounds of muscle and ego, his chest covered with tattoos documenting his various championship wins.Trevor was everything Alexander wasn't: wealthy background, years of professional training, a reputation built on actual victories. He'd won regional MMA tournaments, kickboxing championships, even an underground bare-knuckle competition that had left three opponents hospitalized.He was also known for something else: brutality. Trevor didn't just win fights—he destroyed opponents. Used techniques that skirted the edge of legal, inflicted maximum damage, sent people to the medical wing regularly even during supposedly light sparring.The coaches tol

Alexander stood at the edge of the mat, watching medics tend to Brian Carver who was finally regaining his breath. Two third-tier fighters defeated in seconds. The crowd dispersing in shocked whispers. Viktor Konstantin watching with calculating intensity.But Alexander's mind was elsewhere.Katarina. Drugged. Controlled. In Victor Chen's penthouse right now, losing herself to repeated doses of the Mesmerizer. Every hour that passed was another hour of potential permanent damage. Another hour where Victor could be doing irreversible harm.And this tournament—this elaborate bracket system with forty-two competitors—would take days to complete. First round tomorrow. Second round the day after. Quarter-finals. Semi-finals. Finals. By the time a winner emerged and earned Viktor Konstantin's training, it might be too late for Katarina.I don't have days, Alexander realized with cold clarity. I have hours. Maybe less.A third fighter was stepping forward now—Marcus Bennett, the same one who

Vanessa sat in her car outside Fit Titans for another twenty minutes, trying repeatedly to reach Alexander. When it became clear the facility wasn't going to let her inside and Alexander wasn't answering his phone, she made a decision.The founder must be in there right now, Vanessa reasoned. That's why security is so tight. That's why Alexander can't answer. This is exactly what he's been working toward for weeks.She couldn't interrupt that. Couldn't risk ruining Alexander's one chance to get Viktor Konstantin's help by showing up and revealing their connection.He trusted me with Katarina's safety, Vanessa thought, her hands tightening on the steering wheel. And I failed. Victor broke into my apartment, stole everything, and now has complete control over her. I can't fail again.She pulled out her phone and started making calls. First to her head of security. "Marcus, I need a tactical team. Discreet. Professional. People who can breach a high-security residence without leaving evi