Chapter 144: The Gathering Storm

The room fell into silence, the weight of the message pressing down like an invisible force. Ochieng's fingers tightened around the black envelope as his mind raced. Rolex—one of his most trusted men—was missing, and the threat scrawled inside the note wasn't just a warning. It was a declaration.

Victoria watched him closely, her smirk never fading. "You look troubled, Ochieng."

He didn't respond. Instead, he turned to Eugene. "Where was Rolex last seen?"

Eugene's jaw tensed. "At the Black Serpent Casino. He was meeting with someone from the Glowtune syndicate."

The mention of Glowtune sent a murmur through the room. That name wasn't to be taken lightly.

Seline, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "If they have Rolex, they're making a move against you, Ochieng."

Ochieng's lips pressed into a thin line. Seline, his ex, had every reason to want him to fail. And yet, the unease in her voice told him she wasn't lying.

Brian scoffed. "So what? We crush them like we always do."

Jeff shot him a sharp look. "You don't get it, do you? The Glowtune syndicate isn't just another enemy. If they've made a move, it means they have backing. Serious backing."

Paul, who had been leaning against the far wall, finally stepped forward. "Then we need to move first."

Ochieng shook his head. "No. We need to be smart. If we act recklessly, we'll be playing into their hands."

Lucy, always the strategist, spoke up. "We need information. And I know exactly who to get it from."

Ochieng nodded. "Get it done."

Victoria chuckled softly. "And here I thought you'd be falling apart by now."

Ochieng finally turned back to her, his gaze cold. "You don't know me as well as you think, Victoria. If you did, you'd already be running."

She held his stare, her smirk faltering just slightly.

Ochieng turned to Jeff. "Prepare the team. We're going hunting."

The war wasn't just beginning. It was about to explode.