The Sullivan Solutions boardroom had never looked so different. If Michael thought it'd been well furnished before, he didn't know what to think recently: the office was now filled with quality leather chairs, chairs and cabinets made from rare materials. The transformation was almost unreal to Michael as he stood at the head of the table, looking at his expanded office. "I still cannot believe the government actually let us claim her assets," Alexis said, reviewing a stack of legal documents. "All of Victoria's properties and resources in Denver, just handed over as compensation for her slander campaign." "Believe it," Salvatore replied with a grin, pouring himself a glass of expensive scotch from the new bar cart. "When public opinion turns against someone that hard, the government wants to correct their mistakes and distance themselves as fast as possible." North was examining architectural plans spread across one end of the table. "These properties are worth millions. I mean l

Before anyone could react to Wagner's threat, the sound of heavy mechanical footsteps echoed through the parking garage. Everyone turned toward the source of the noise, and Michael felt his heart pace quicken.Geneva stumbled through the darkened parking garage like a wounded animal, her systems failing one by one but her core programming still driving her to eliminate the intruders. Sparks flew from damaged circuits in her torso where the emergency flares had melted through her armor plating. "Power reserves at thirty percent," Geneva announced automatically, her voice becoming increasingly distorted. "Estimated operational time remaining: six minutes." Professor Nakamura was helping Diego bandage his shoulder wounds with strips of cloth torn from their jackets. The young man had lost some blood, but he was still conscious and mobile. "Six minutes is still too long," Diego said through gritted teeth. "She could kill us all in six minutes." Michael crouched behind a concrete pilla

Two weeks later, Michael sat in Sullivan Solutions' expanded office space, reviewing contracts with three new clients. The company had grown from a desperate scheme to a legitimate business faster than he'd expected. But as he looked over the financial reports, he couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. "The Denver Community Bank wants to talk about a partnership," Alexis said, walking into his office with a stack of proposals. Her red hair caught the light as she leaned against his desk. "They like our track record." Lizzy came in behind her and offered Michael a wave before plopping herself on a chair. "That's good," Michael replied, though his mind was somewhere else. Sullivan Solutions was doing well, but Ava's absence hurt every day. Every technical problem his team solved reminded him of her lightning-fast thinking. Every client meeting made him remember how she could read people instantly. A knock on the door interrupted them. Brother North entered, his huge f

Two weeks later, Michael sat in Sullivan Solutions' expanded office space, reviewing contracts with three new clients. The company had grown from a desperate scheme to a legitimate business faster than he'd expected. But as he looked over the financial reports, he couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. "The Denver Community Bank wants to talk about a partnership," Alexis said, walking into his office with a stack of proposals. Her red hair caught the light as she leaned against his desk. "They like our track record."Michael stared at the conference room table covered with papers, photographs, and Diego's tablet showing building schematics. The Sullivan Solutions office felt more like a war room now, with everyone huddled around the detailed plans Diego had managed to acquire. "Okay, here's what we're dealing with," Diego said, pointing to the facility layout on his tablet. "Wagner's research compound is built like a fortress. Main building is three stories above grou

The abandoned industrial complex on the outskirts of Denver looked like a perfect setting for a horror movie. Rusted metal beams stretched toward a gray sky, and broken windows reflected the morning sun like dead eyes. But for Michael Sullivan, this place had become something else entirely: his training ground. "You ready for this, kid?" Brother North's voice boomed across the empty warehouse as he adjusted his tactical vest. The massive man looked like he could bench press a car, and his grin suggested he was about to enjoy Michael's suffering. "Define ready," Michael muttered, checking his own gear. The kevlar vest felt heavy on his shoulders, but not as heavy as the knowledge that today's exercise would push him harder than anything they'd done before. Salvatore Russo emerged from behind a stack of shipping containers, his silver hair perfectly styled despite the dusty environment. "Today we test everything you've learned, boy. Scenario planning, combat tactics, and your wit. Al