Code Red: We are back

"Target acquired." A cold voice cut through the silence.

"2.358341, on point, over." A man dressed in black, his sniper rifle already set, aimed it at the building opposite his. He was about to make his move when a voice crackled in his ear, stopping him.

"It's code red. Wolf, can you hear me? Code red, over." Static from radiation interrupted the transmission, and on the other end, the warning went unheard. The man continued to adjust his rifle.

Inside a dimly lit room filled with the hum of computers, a young woman, barely twenty, felt a surge of panic. She watched her partner's position on a screen, realizing the imminent danger, yet powerless to intervene.

Knowing the initial channel was compromised, she frantically switched frequencies, making one last desperate attempt.

"Wolf, it's code red! Abort the mission, over! Code red, over!" She repeated the message, her voice strained. But only the whisper of the wind answered her desperate pleas.

Before she could react further, a chilling voice echoed from her own device. "So confident, are we, Six? Just because we let you go last time doesn't mean we fear the force behind you. You will die tonight." The line went dead.

On the rooftop of a nearby building lay the lifeless body of a woman with a familiar face. It was Clara. The previous night, when Lara's mother had arrived, she had granted them a pardon, a gesture of respect for the monarch family. It seemed their beneficiaries hadn't understood the value of that mercy.

Lara turned her gaze towards the opposite building, a faint smile playing on her lips. She chuckled softly, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Why is it so hard to die? What a shame."

She rose and headed downstairs, where Soo-Hyun waited.

"What is it?" Lara asked casually.

Soo-Hyun hurried to keep pace with Lara, explaining the intercepted threat. "It's just as you expected. Those two will stop at nothing to get back at you. After all, you ruined their reputation; now they're nothing but jokes in the underworld."

As they exited the building towards Lara's waiting cars, Soo-Hyun handed her phone to Lara. "One is down. The other is on the run, but our people will catch up to them soon."

"And what is this?" Lara pointed at the phone. Several maps and blurred photographs were displayed. Lara had her suspicions but wanted confirmation from Soo-Hyun.

Opening the car door for Lara, Soo-Hyun began to explain. "These are the last known locations of Kyle before she disappeared. Also, it's been reported that she was seeing a psychiatrist for months, and in the last few months, her visits increased to three times a week. It seems there's more to her than we imagined."

Lara's face remained impassive, but beneath the surface, a fierce longing churned. It wasn't just missing; it was a deep craving. She hated her own carelessness, the fact that she had allowed Kyle to be hurt. Uncertainty gnawed at her – was Kyle even still alive? She clung to the hope that she was because the alternative was unbearable.

"We shall find her at any cost. When I return from my trip to the fortress, we will mobilize everyone and everything. I will speak with my mentor; with the addition of their elite, we will find her."

She spoke, her gaze fixed on the passing cityscape. It wasn't that she was heartless; her entire life had been one of self-reliance. She didn't know her father, and her mother had been emotionally distant. While other children played with dolls, Lara had been helping manage the family company. She had been raised to be an heiress, and Kyle had been her sole anchor. They say you can adapt to going from a life of crime to riches, but the reverse is a different beast – comfort is a subtle curse.

Soo-Hyun glanced at her boss, a wave of pity washing over her. Lovesick. What a pathetic state for the formidable Lara Cameron to be in. Just as the thought crossed her mind, her phone rang.

The screen displayed "Wifey." A smile bloomed on Soo-Hyun's face as she answered with uncharacteristic haste, as if fearing dire consequences if she delayed. Lara watched her, a slight shake of her head and a muttered, "Kids these days."

"Hey, Princess. What's up? Did you spot a couture you want, or is it a car?" Soo-Hyun spoke affectionately, cradling the phone.

[WHAT DO YOU TAKE ME FOR? A GOLD-DIGGING B*&%? You wild woman, my family is rich, and I'm rich. Don't you dare look down on me!] The voice on the other end pouted.

"You're right, everything you do is right. It was my bad, Princess. Did you miss me?"

[You almost broke my waist last night. Who would miss that?] She sneered before adding, [Is there any update about Kyle?]

Her voice was weak and laced with sadness, a sound that made Soo-Hyun feel an unexpected pang of discomfort. She couldn't quite decipher the feeling, but the sight of this powerful woman in such a state stirred something within her. A fierce protectiveness rose. If Kyle was the source of Lara's happiness, then she would find her, even if it meant searching to the ends of the earth.

"I'm sorry, but it won't be long. I give you my word, I will bring that woman back to you. You know I always keep my promises, right? Just give me some time."

Instead of comforting words or a virtual kiss, a beeping sound echoed from the phone. When Soo-Hyun tried to call back, the number was blocked. Her "wifey" had a temper, especially now, with Kyle missing.

With a sigh of resignation, Soo-Hyun opened her iPad and tapped a few times. "Oh! I almost forgot, we have an auction to attend."

"How long?"

"Just half an hour by our private jet. Everything is settled; we can change on the plane. If this auction weren't so important, I wouldn't have forced you to go."

Lara simply nodded and leaned back, closing her eyes. It was around nine when they arrived at the auction conference. As Lara made her entrance, all eyes turned towards them.

To call her merely beautiful was an understatement. Lara possessed a captivating charm and a charismatic aura that drew people to her. She was a sensation, an ideal to both men and women. Lara Cameron effortlessly transcended gender barriers; she was simply perfect.

As she walked in, many attendees yearned to approach and make her acquaintance, but Mr. Smith, the host, intercepted her with a warm greeting. "It's a true honor to have you here, Miss Cameron. I have long admired your achievements. When I sent the invitation, I hardly dared to hope you would grace this old man with your presence."

Words of flattery flowed effortlessly from him. At that moment, a collective gasp rippled through the room. At the entrance stood two breathtaking women, hand in hand, one petite and the other tall and commanding. As Lara's eyes met the taller woman's, a genuine smile lit up her face.

The woman approached and embraced Lara warmly. "Long time no see, Miss Cameron," she said, her voice filled with excitement.

"Oh, come on, Wren. Since when did we start with formalities? You've changed since our last meeting in Paris."

Wren rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah! It has been ages. Look at this crybaby; she's all grown up now. Hey, Miss Park, do you still wet the bed?"

Soo-Hyun's face flushed crimson. Wasn't she just a child back then? And Wren never failed to bring it up. "I'll beat you up if you make fun of me again!"

Wren's eyes narrowed in mock challenge. "Do you have the ability?" Soo-Hyun knew she was outmatched and turned to Lara for support.

"What? Don't drag me into your childish fight."

Soo-Hyun rolled her eyes at her boss. These two were practically siblings from different mothers.

"So tell me, who is she?" Lara asked Wren curiously, her gaze lingering on Hazel. Sensing a shift in the atmosphere, Wren instinctively grasped Hazel's hand. "Bye, see you when I see you. I know you too well, Lala." And with that, she disappeared into the crowd, pulling Hazel along.

Lara wanted to protest that those days were behind her, that she had settled down, but Wren was already lost in the throng.

The auction proceeded smoothly. Lara acquired several exquisite pieces that caught her eye. An hour later, her phone rang, finally prompting her to move. She answered lazily, a simple "Okay," before hanging up.

"I think I should go to the fortress."

"Weren't you planning to already?" Soo-Hyun replied.

"I mean right now." Lara's expression was troubled. Something was clearly amiss; the fortress rarely contacted her unless it was a matter of grave importance.