Audrey let out a stifled scream in the corner of the study.Her heartbreaking sobs echoed against the backdrop of the falling rain. She pulled violently at her own hair, her eyes locked onto the stiffening corpse of Richard Vance on the hardwood floor.Her father's face was frozen in an expression of absolute horror. His bulging eyes stared blankly at the ceiling. His mouth hung open, as if still mid-scream, begging for mercy. The sharp stench of urine and the coppery tang of blood lingered heavily in the air."This is not real," Audrey sobbed repeatedly. "This is all just a nightmare. Father, wake up!"Audrey's brilliant mind desperately tried to reject reality. But her visual memory was too strong. She had just witnessed her father's soul forcefully extracted as black smoke. She had seen the man in the suit before her transform into a demonic entity. She had also watched her own father pull the trigger, aiming straight for her heart.Fear, sorrow, and rage collided violently within

Audrey took a long, deep breath. Her hand reached into the pocket of her wrinkled sleepwear. She pulled out a small, rectangular object.It was a gleaming silver portable hard drive."This is everything," Audrey said, her voice trembling. She stared blindly at the device in her hand. "Everything you need is right here."Xavier stood motionless in the center of the ruined study. His aristocratic features remained as rigid as carved marble. He looked at the silver object without a trace of emotion."Explain the contents of that drive, Miss Vance," Xavier instructed, his tone smooth and composed."It is the master key," Audrey replied, swallowing hard. "The skeleton key to the entire digital vault of the Aristhos Corp board of directors.""Is the evidence of my grandfather's murder in there?" Xavier asked, his gaze sharp and calculating."All of it is here," Audrey nodded, meeting Xavier's blue eyes. "The ledgers of their embezzled funds. The money laundering trails to offshore accounts.

The heavy steel elevator doors parted with a soft chime.Xavier stepped into the underground headquarters of Umbra Capital. Rainwater dripped steadily from his hair and tactical clothing. The damp smell of the storm, mingled with the coppery scent of blood, trailed him into the dimly lit room.Fenrir stood at attention, greeting his boss's arrival. The giant man gripped a long-barreled, matte-black rifle."Welcome back, Sir," Fenrir greeted, bowing his head respectfully."My operation outside is complete," Xavier replied, his tone perfectly flat."Did you claim Richard Vance's life?" Fenrir asked, falling into step behind Xavier."The man died on the floor of his own study," Xavier confirmed. "His death was thoroughly pathetic, consumed by absolute terror.""The old man deserved every bit of it," Fenrir remarked without a shred of pity.Xavier walked past his assistant, heading toward his changing area in the corner of the headquarters. He unbuckled his Kevlar tactical vest, dirty wit

The black helicopter struck the courtyard lawn with a heavy, reverberating thud.Its massive rotors spun violently, generating an artificial hurricane. Torrential rain fell like a thick curtain of water. Hundreds of Isabella's fanatical mercenaries instantly swarmed the helicopter from every direction."Open fire, damn it! Do not let them touch the ground, you bastards!" the guard commander roared."Destroy the chopper, you idiots! Burn them all alive, damn it!" another guard screamed.The deafening chatter of automatic gunfire erupted across the courtyard. Hundreds of steel bullets rained down relentlessly against the helicopter's armored hull. Muzzle flashes illuminated the pitch-black estate in rapid, blinding bursts.Inside the cabin, Fenrir turned to his boss."Are you ready, Sir?" Fenrir asked, his voice heavy with anticipation."I am always ready," Xavier answered, his tone radiating absolute coldness.Xavier slid the cabin door wide open. He stepped out into the raging storm.

Leo shivered uncontrollably inside his wardrobe.A sharp stench of urine stung his nose. The cowardly young man clamped his hands tightly over his ears. He sobbed softly in the suffocating darkness.The dying screams from the ground-floor lobby had completely ceased. This sudden silence felt infinitely more terrifying. He knew the hundreds of elite guards stationed downstairs had been slaughtered to the last man."They are all dead, damn it," Leo whispered, his teeth chattering. "Those mercenary guards are absolute idiots. Hundreds of them dead just like that, the bastards."Xavier's footsteps echoed slowly as he ascended the main staircase. The sound was incredibly elegant, yet unmistakably lethal."I have come to collect you."Xavier's voice rang out with terrifying clarity. The words resonated straight through the door of Leo's bedroom. The psychological terror made Leo's chest feel as though it might explode.Leo crawled out of his wardrobe on his hands and knees. He did not dare