The only sounds in the safehouse were the low-volume buzz of machines and Aidan's team discussing their next course of action. The black, silent sentry of the surrounding forest concealed the anxiety inside the room. Over a table covered with maps, tactical sketches, and numerous screens showing live feeds from the nearby security cameras, Aidan took his place. Evelyn was sound sleeping in the room next to her, while Claire and Dominic were close, keeping an eye on the cameras.
Another alert went out, and Aidan looked at his phone to see that another of his accounts had been emptied. Anger coiled into a burning knot in his chest. Victor launched a retaliation offensive.
Dominic whispered, glancing at the television, "They're hitting hard." "Every account you have is being deleted or frozen. Victor wants to take your stuff, like he's crazy.
Aidan's teeth were clenched. This was more retaliation than he had anticipated. His aim is to disable us. These funds are necessary to run our business. Soon, we must go forward.
Claire shook her head in disdain in a contemptuous voice. Despite their existence, our stockpiles will eventually run out. We will starve to death if Victor attacks any more.
Aidan tilted his head, considering their possibilities. It will be necessary for me to create anonymous accounts in order to conceal our assets and the remaining funds. Dominic, do all in your power to keep us safe. Claire, connect with our worldwide networks. Before Victor disconnects all of our lines, we have to act quickly.
Dominic said, "Absolutely," getting up from his chair. He snatched his firearm and checked the security cameras. "Victor's forces will undoubtedly come looking for us once they realize their digital assault is insufficient, so I'll double security."
She immediately set up encrypted lines by getting in touch with their offshore contacts after Claire provided her approval. A backup plan will be ready, but it will be difficult. All of this might go wrong if Victor's guys learn about us.
Aidan quickly opened his laptop and tapped keys, his thoughts racing. In real time, he watched as Victor's troops went through his accounts, closing all of them, freezing his money, and seizing his enterprises. By transferring money to distant, encrypted accounts and off-grid banks he had established years earlier, he exacted retribution.
It was a never-ending game of cat and mouse, with the stakes high. Every time Aidan was able to get an account, Victor's digital enforcers would quickly locate a substitute. Aidan was losing ground, and the walls were closing in.
Emily's voice crackled through his earphones. I, Aidan, intercepted some of Victor's communications. Together with the deployment of troops to your company's sites, his digital assets are being deployed.
A gloomy cloud hung over Aidan's face. "He wants to destroy everything I've built, not just ruin me financially."
Emily's answer was a drawn-out "Exactly." Victor initiated a full-scale battle. Without our help, he'll destroy all your defenses and win this battle in the end.
Aidan knew she was right on the money. Victor's brutal plan was intended to deprive him of everything and to sabotage all of his coalitions. If Victor managed to isolate Aidan totally, he would be unable to defend himself, despite the fact that Victor had suffered significant financial losses.
"I need you to continue keeping an eye on his communications, Emily," he responded. If you know anything regarding his upcoming movements, please let us know. He must be out-planned and out-managed.
"Understood," she said, but Aidan barely noticed the hesitation in her voice.
He ignored the idea and concentrated on the current task. Claire, please make sure to phone those contacts. We have to move the remaining assets overseas, out of Victor's grasp.
Aiden's hands were clenched. Claire had quickly gained access to their encrypted channels for international wire transfers. I'm working on fixing it. If we lose another account, however, they can move forward with the transfer process. "This is our only option. It is our responsibility to accept that risk."
The hours dragged on, and the pressure increased gradually. After Victor's most significant financial attack, which further depletes Aidan's offshore accounts, a series of physical enforcers were sent to his homes throughout the city. Aidan felt helpless as he watched the news stories from his businesses, where armed men stormed the buildings, took documents, and detained employees.
With a quiet "Damn it," he slammed his fist into the table. "He's destroying everything with fire."
After the perimeter check, Dominic came back wearing a serious expression. "Security is tight, but Victor will eventually find this safehouse if he keeps up his efforts."
Seeing how dire their situation was, Aidan nodded. You need to move fast. Should we fail to act quickly, we will be annihilated.
Emily's speech took on a tone of anxiety again. "I suspect Victor is working with the local government, Aidan. They're trying to frame you for fraud and conspiracy using the digital evidence from the accounts he took. If his scheme succeeds, you will be labeled a criminal.
Thoughts were racing through Aidan's mind. He is locking all the doors. There will be nowhere for us to go if he tells the police about us.
Claire seemed more serious as she raised her gaze from the TV. "This obstacle must be overcome. The government officials who owe us favors are people we know. Turning them against Victor is necessary if we wish to buy ourselves some time.
Then Aidan commanded, "Do it." We must never let them touch us, no matter what. We cannot fight the government and Victor at the same time with our current resources.
Aidan leaned back and stared at the panels full of warnings while Claire frantically attempted to contact them. With every minute that went by, Victor's unrelenting attack appeared to strike all he had created with yet another terrible blow. A feeling of imprisonment was gripping him, and frustration was eating away at him.
His phone buzzed once again along with a non-financial alarm. On his screen, he read the headline, "Pierce Enterprises CEO Aidan Pierce Under Investigation for Fraud and Criminal Activity,"
Aidan raised his gaze. The media had been enlisted to help Victor, who had intensified his campaign. The media published a number of stories about Aidan's alleged involvement in crimes, supporting them with falsified evidence and edited video.
"He seems to be really invested in it," Dominic answered in a tone of whisper. "He's ruining your reputation in addition to stealing your money."
As Aidan watched the news stories, his heart fell. The media that he had once trusted were now promoting Victor's story and portraying Aidan as a vicious criminal. The lies were spreading so quickly that he knew the authorities would finally take action.
With concern, Aidan added, "Emily, we need damage control." To refute these assertions, find out what other people you know think. Victor must not control the story.
The other side took a moment to gather themselves. I will make every effort, even if it is too late. Victor is succeeding by making use of his wide network.
Aidan's grip tightened on the telephone. "No matter what, we will fight back. And there will be more.
The situation worsened over the course of several hours. Victor intensified his attacks, thus their attempts were in futile. He suffered increasing financial losses as his enforcers seized more and more homes. The police were pursuing Aidan, and the media portrayed him as a criminal. As Victor's hold grew stronger, Aidan felt the weight of everything pressing down on him as the walls surrounded him.
He was surprised, though, by a stillness that followed. Aidan's phone rang with a message while Claire kept in touch with their contacts abroad and Dominic strengthened their position.
He looked at it as a safe warning. One that was unanticipated.
Refused Permission—Emily Carter as the Source
As Aidan gazed at the TV, his heart began to beat quickly. As he tried to make sense of what he was seeing, his thoughts were racing. The techniques Emily was employing required in-depth familiarity with his system, and she had no right to access his private information.
With an assertive yet dubious tone, he said, "Emily." "What's happening?"
Someone paused. Too long.
I was just... Aidan, double-checking. The financial records had an inaccuracy that I believed I had discovered.
Helpan's eyes squinted. "You mean the ones that Victor took?"
Indeed, precisely. My goal is to find the source.
Aidan was concerned by the hesitancy in her speech. An odd feeling was present. He had been dealing with treachery and deceit for years, and his instincts pleaded with him to pay attention.
He immediately tapped on his keyboard to start tracking down her access point. The realization of the facts made him feel nauseous. He gave her a hidden road that only she knew, and she followed it. Furthermore, Victor's most recent assault had nothing to do with the data she was seeing.
"Are you certain you don't want to tell me anything, Emily?" His tone was stern but calm as he inquired.
And she answered right on the spot. "I'll be there for you, Aidan. You already know that fact.
But the truth was exposed by the trail. Emily was able to view Victor's files and get data directly from his signal through one of his encrypted channels.
Aidan felt his spine tingle. He thought of their lengthy history of working together and the trust that had developed between them. There were several times when she spoke up for him, helped him achieve his objectives, and gave him important information. He discovered suddenly that she had been playing two games at once.
"Emily..." Aidan's voice held a hint of rage and betrayal before it subsided. "You are employed by him."
The line finally died, and he heard her voice, cold and far away, without the warmth he had known. "Aidan, it's not what you think."
"Isn't it?" He said that he felt betrayed like a knife in his gut. "My trust was violated by you. You misled me and gave me misleading information, and now you're giving Victor everything.
She responded by pleading with Aidan to comprehend. "It's not quite that simple."
An unwavering resolve formed in Aidan's eyes. Keep it close at hand. Your actions are not concealed from me.
Before she could reply, Aidan cut the call. There was a chill in the air, the weight of his knowledge hanging heavy. All of their hard work had been put at jeopardy when his comrade and loyal friend Emily betrayed him.
"Claire!" he called loudly, echoing throughout the safehouse. "Grab Dominic. There's a mole within.