Phase 5: The Phantom’s Game

The First Move

The city breathed like a living entity beneath the Vipers' control room—a sprawling landscape of neon and shadows, hiding as many secrets as the woman they were hunting.

The Phantom.

Elusive. Untraceable. Yet somehow, she always seemed one step ahead.

Veer sat at the head of the sleek, black conference table, fingers steepled, eyes locked on the flickering screen that had last shown her smile.

"A woman playing puppet master behind the scenes," Karan murmured, leaning back in his chair. "I gotta admit, that's a hell of a plot twist."

"She's rich, powerful, and operating in the shadows," Rudra added. "Which means one thing—"

Zayan smirked. "She thinks she's untouchable."

Veer finally spoke. His voice was calm, absolute. "Not anymore."

The Trap

Their first lead was Sehrawat's offshore accounts. The man had been funneling money to a foundation in Monaco, a high-society cover for something darker.

"So," Zayan tapped the screen. "Either she's there, or she's using this place to move money around."

"Either way, we go in," Veer decided.

Karan grinned. "Monaco, huh? Fancy. Maybe I'll wear a suit."

"No, you'll be carrying the explosives," Rudra muttered.

Arrival in Monaco

The Vipers stepped into the glittering world of Monaco's elite—where danger hid behind luxury and corruption thrived under chandeliers.

Their target: The Royale Gala.

A high-profile charity event, hosted by the very foundation connected to the Phantom.

Veer, dressed in a crisp black suit, blended effortlessly into the crowd, his sharp gaze scanning the room. Every guest, every movement, every possible threat.

Zayan, in his element, played the part of the reckless billionaire, flashing a charming smile as he pocketed stolen security passes.

Karan and Rudra worked the perimeter, placing hidden devices and setting up a fast exit.

And then—she appeared.

The Phantom's Move

She was just a silhouette at first—gliding down the grand staircase, a vision in red silk.

A mask concealed most of her face, but Veer knew.

She wasn't hiding. She was watching.

Her lips curved slightly as if she knew exactly why they were there.

A challenge.

Then, in one smooth motion, she lifted a single hand—and the power in the entire building cut out.

Darkness swallowed the room.

Screams.

The soft clink of champagne glasses shattering.

And through the chaos, Veer's earpiece crackled to life—

Her voice.

Low. Amused. Dangerous.

"You never see the viper coming, Veer. But tell me… what happens when the prey sets the trap?"

Then—silence.

The Phantom had just made her first move.

And the game had truly begun.

Phase 6: The Counter Trap

Regroup & Rethink

The blackout lasted only thirty seconds, but by the time the emergency lights flickered on, she was gone. The Phantom had vanished into the night.

Veer's jaw clenched as he scanned the panicked crowd. His fingers itched to pull the trigger on something—someone.

"You never see the viper coming… but tell me, what happens when the prey sets the trap?"

Her words echoed in his mind.

She was taunting him.

But she had made one mistake—she thought she was the prey.

Veer turned, his voice ice-cold. "Zayan, Karan—lock the exits. Rudra, track her last known movement."

Zayan was already in action, his sharp gaze flickering over the crowd. "No cameras. She's got the system on her side."

"Then we do it old school," Rudra muttered, his hand tightening around the hidden blade at his wrist.

Karan smirked. "I was hoping for some fun."

Veer exhaled, his mind working through the Phantom's next move.

She had planned this. Which meant she had somewhere to run.

Which meant they had a lead.

The Red Dress & The Chase

Security was in chaos. Guests scrambled to leave. But Veer had already spotted it.

A single piece of red silk, caught on the edge of a railing.

She had gone up.

Without a word, Veer took off toward the stairwell, the Vipers close behind.

Third floor. Then the fourth. Then—

A rooftop escape route.

A black helicopter lifted off from the helipad just as they burst onto the rooftop.

Veer's gaze locked onto the woman in the open cabin—her mask still in place, her red dress billowing in the wind.

She tilted her head, as if daring him to follow.

Then, with a knowing smirk, she was gone.

Setting the Counter Trap

Veer stood there for a moment, his fists tightening.

She had planned every move.

Which meant—

"So, what now?" Karan asked, catching his breath.

Veer turned, his mind already a step ahead.

"She expects us to chase her," he murmured. "She expects us to follow the breadcrumbs."

Zayan scoffed. "Obviously. And we always do."

"Not this time."

Veer's gaze sharpened. "This time, we set the trap."

The Bait

The Phantom thought she had control of the board.

But what if the Vipers fed her false information?

A fabricated shipment of stolen tech—one that didn't actually exist, but was valuable enough to lure her out.

They spread whispers through the underground networks.

A location. A time. A deal too good to ignore.

Then they waited.

One night.

Two nights.

Then, on the third—

She took the bait.

Her team made contact.

And this time—Veer would be the one waiting.