Alexander turned his attention back to Crime Boss, and the plan took shape. “Prepare a counterattack,” he said.Crime Boss’s face hardened. “For the people following Aurelia?”“Yes.” Alexander’s eyes went cold. “If they appear tomorrow, I don’t want anyone scattering them. I want them captured.”Crime Boss’s understanding was immediate. “You want us to take them alive.”“Exactly.” Alexander leaned back, the effort visible in the lines around his mouth. “They’ve tailed us long enough. This time, let them believe they’re getting what they want so we can take everything that ties them to whoever is behind this.”“And then?” The Crime Boss asked.Alexander’s voice dropped, measured and dangerous. “Then we turn it all around.”He paused, and the room went quieter as if the walls themselves were listening. “I want them alive. I want their phones, their communication logs, their vehicles, their weapons—any piece of evidence that connects them to the puppet masters.”The Crime Boss nodded. “W

Vivian’s warning echoed in her head: Don’t let him come with you, and for a heartbeat she almost said no.But Nahir’s apology, the way his voice softened when he admitted past mistakes, pulled at places she did not trust. She had believed, not long ago, that he had been her protector.Exhaustion and the fragile hope of victory finally pushed her to answer, “All right.”“Tell me the exact location and time again,” he said cheerfully, and when she repeated it, he hummed approval. “Good. I’ll prepare something for Alexander. A little surprise to soften his mood.”Her question—“What kind of surprise?”—was met with a laugh that sounded casual and small. Nahir’s voice was suddenly all lightness and assurance. “Nothing complicated. Just something that will make him more receptive.”When the call ended, Nahir lowered the phone slowly. His smile evaporated. The warmth drained from his face and a cold, hard calculation replaced it. Radisson Blu. Tomorrow. Two in the afternoon. All he needed now

Alexander gave her a faint smile. “Not another trap.”He turned toward the dark window. “This time, I'm building the trap.”Clara's concern deepened. “What happens if something goes wrong?”Alexander did not answer immediately.There were too many variables.Nahir had people working for him. Someone had helped create the identity he was hiding behind. Someone had ordered Clara's kidnapping. Someone had been monitoring Alexander for far longer than he had initially realized.And now those people believed they had finally discovered a way to reach him. Tomorrow would reveal just how much of Nahir's operation Alexander could expose.More importantly, it might finally give Aurelia the evidence she needed.Alexander's jaw tightened at the thought. “I've tried explaining the truth to her.”He lowered his gaze. “She never believed me.”Clara studied him quietly before asking, “And tomorrow?”Alexander looked up. “Tomorrow, I won't ask her to believe me.”His eyes hardened. “I'll let the evid

By the time afternoon arrived, the Radisson Blu Hotel no longer felt like an ordinary luxury hotel.From the outside, nothing appeared unusual. Guests still walked through the surrounding streets, vehicles continued entering and leaving the hotel grounds, and the elegant exterior remained as impressive as ever. To anyone passing by, it was simply another busy afternoon at one of the city's most prestigious hotels.Inside, however, the situation was completely different.The entire building had been quietly secured.Every entrance had been checked, every exit monitored, and every floor inspected. Alexander's people had already taken positions throughout the hotel without attracting attention.Some were dressed as hotel employees, others as security personnel or maintenance workers, while several had blended seamlessly among the guests.Nobody looking at them would have realized that they were waiting for a confrontation.On a distant rooftop, a sniper had already settled into position

Clara looked back at him.“I love you, Clara. That's exactly why I refuse to put you at risk.”Tears gathered in her eyes again, and she quickly wiped them away. “You're making it impossible for me to argue.”Alexander's smile softened. “That was the plan.”Clara laughed softly through her tears. “Fine.”She finally nodded. “I'll stay here.”Alexander smiled. “Thank you.”“But you have to come back,” she said, pulling his chin.“I will.”Clara pointed at him, suddenly serious again. “And you have to take your medicine.”Alexander sighed. “There she goes again.”“Promise?” she askedHe gave her a resigned look. “All right. I promise.”Clara finally smiled.For a brief moment, the danger waiting outside seemed distant. The threats, the kidnapping, the enemies hiding in the shadows, and the uncertainty surrounding Aurelia all seemed to disappear.There were only the two of them.Then Alexander's expression changed. “There is something else I want to tell you.”Clara's smile faded as curi