Chapter 8

The damp and silent underground hallway was a silent witness to how their initial planning and strategy against Victor Castellano had begun. Dominic opened his laptop on the old metal table and connected the flash drive Marco had given him. Amelia and Marco stood to his right and left, staring intently at the screen that was displaying file after file containing Victor's dark secrets.

"That's a lot of documents on this flash drive," Dominic muttered as he scrolled through his laptop screen. "Illicit transactions, money transfers to offshore accounts, even evidence of bribery of high-ranking officials, all clearly listed. This is very strong evidence and enough to destroy the entire network."

Amelia tried to bring her head closer and read some of the files carefully. "But how can we make sure these files get into the right hands without putting ourselves in danger?"

Marco, who still looked uneasy, answered her in a low voice. "We need to involve a party that Victor can't influence. Maybe an investigative journalist or a clean law enforcer."

Dominic looked at Marco seriously. "But do you have the contacts for that?"

Marco nodded. "There's a journalist called Rebecca Lynne. She's been investigating Victor's case for a long time but has never gotten strong enough evidence. If we give her this file, she'll know what to do."

Amelia looked at Dominic. "Rebecca seems like the best option we have at the moment, but how can we contact her without attracting public attention?"

Dominic seemed to think for a moment before answering. "I have some acquaintances who could organize our secret meeting. But before that, we need to make sure that these files are not easily accessible to anyone. We need backups and encryption."

In the next second, Dominic worked relentlessly, he began encrypting the files from the flash drive and making several hidden backup copies. Amelia watched Dominic, she saw a side of him that was rarely seen - focused, strategic and determined. Without realizing it, Amelia admired this kind of Dominic.

On the other hand, Marco looked increasingly nervous. Occasionally he walked back and forth in the narrow hallway, his eyes constantly watching the entrance as if every second someone would break in and discover their hiding place.

"You need to stay calm, Marco," Amelia said gently. "We need you to stay focused if we want this case to be solved."

Marco nodded although his hands were still shaking slightly. "I just... I can't stop thinking about what would happen if Victor managed to discover my whereabouts. Of course he wouldn't spare me, he might even kill me."

Amelia put a hand on his shoulder. "We are all in danger, but one thing you need to remember, we are fighting this together, you are not alone and we will not let you feel threatened."

Dominic interrupted and looked at the two of them in turn. "These files are safe. Now we need to contact Rebecca, Marco, call her and schedule a meeting tonight. I'll arrange our meeting place."

Amelia nodded. "Okay, but we have to be more careful. Victor must already know that we escaped from the restaurant earlier, and he's most likely already mobilized his men to look for us."

Dominic shrugged his shoulders. "That means we don't have much time. Every second is a chance for them to find us."

Within two hours, Dominic managed to arrange a meeting with Rebecca Lynne in an empty warehouse on the edge of town. He made sure the location was sterilized before Amelia and Marco arrived.

Rebecca was a female journalist in her forties with brown hair that was always neatly tied up and sharp eyes that radiated alertness. She was already waiting when they arrived at the meeting location, as usual, Rebecca was carrying a small bag that seemed to contain journalistic equipment.

"Dominic," Rebecca greeted, nodding towards the man. "I hope this isn't a trap. You certainly know that I can't trust anyone too much these days."

Dominic responded with a faint smile. "I understand, Rebecca. But this isn't a trap, you don't have to worry about that. We have something you need - and you're the only one we can trust to solve this case."

Rebecca looked at Amelia and Marco before turning back to Dominic. "What do you have? What cases do you know about?"

Dominic handed her the encrypted flash drive. "This is hard evidence about Victor Castellano's operations. Illicit transactions, bribery, corporate sabotage, it's all here. But you must be very careful in your investigation. If Victor knows you have this evidence, he won't stop pursuing you until you're destroyed."

Rebecca took the flash drive carefully, she studied it for a moment before putting it into her bag. "I've been chasing Victor for years, but this is the first time I've gotten something this big. If all this evidence is true, I can take down his network easily."

Marco, who was standing in the corner of the room, finally spoke up. "Be careful, Rebecca. Victor is never fair in his treatment of others. He has a thousand ways to eliminate people so easily."

Rebecca nodded with a cold smile. "I know and I understand the consequences, but I'm ready for them. I've faced people like him many times before, the difference is, this time I have real evidence."

Dominic looked at Rebecca seriously. "We need you to help publicize this evidence as soon as possible. Because Vicor will not remain silent, every day, he will try various ways to find our whereabouts.

Rebecca nodded in agreement. "I'll start tonight as well. But all of you must also be prepared for whatever lies ahead. Because once this evidence is out, there will be no turning back."

Amelia felt her chest suddenly tighten. Rebecca's words brought a harsh reality-this was the real war. But underneath her fear, there was a growing determination to dismantle this network, and even more so to protect her company.

"We're ready," Amelia said at last.

After the meeting, Dominic took Amelia and Marco back to their hideout. However, when they arrived, Dominic sensed that something was wrong with their hideout. The secret door that connected to the underground passage had opened slightly, something he never did when leaving this place unattended.

Dominic raised his hand signaling them to remain silent. Very carefully, he took out a small pistol from his jacket-a weapon he kept with him and only used when the situation seemed urgent to him.

"Stay here," he whispered to Amelia and Marco.

Amelia wanted to protest, but before she could, Dominic's gaze kept her silent. She realized that Dominic was more experienced in situations like this.

With very slow steps, Dominic entered the hallway and checked every corner. When he set foot in the room where they had worked before, he found something that made his blood rush.

All their equipment-laptops, backup documents, even some personal items-were gone. There was only one message left, written in red ink on the wall:

Dominic felt a rush of anger and worry mix within him. Victor had already discovered their whereabouts. This was no longer a warning-it was a manhunt.

With quick steps, Dominic returned to Amelia and Marco. "We have to go now. They've found this place."

Amelia felt her breath catch. "What do you mean, how did they know?"

Dominic gritted his teeth. "Victor has a thousand ways. I don't know how, but he knows we're here. We don't have much time. Get ready. Come follow me."