Chapter 55 - Striking the First Blow
Chapter 55 - Striking the First Blow
The night is thick with tension as Jack, Marcus, and Paul sit around the small table in Chris's hideout. The ledger lays open, pages spread out with red circles and arrows pointing to key names and dates.
"We have our targets," Jack says, pointing to three names: Connor Hayes, Tony Zhang, and Leo Torres. "They're Lisa's top lieutenants. Each of them controls a part of her operation."
"Connor handles the cash flow," Chris says, tapping the first name. "Without him, Lisa can't move her money."
"Tony runs her muscle," Marcus adds, his jaw tight. "Security, enforcers – the guys she sends to rough people up."
"And Leo?" Paul asks, leaning forward.
"He's the one who connects Lisa to the underworld," Jack says, eyes darkening. "Drugs, weapons, whatever she needs."
"So what's the plan?" Paul asks, eyes gleaming. "We take them all out?"
"Not yet," Jack says, shaking his head. "We need to hit them where it hurts – their wallets."
[Mission Update: Expose Lisa's Network. Objective: Disrupt Operations. Progress: 60%]
---
Outside, the rain pours down in sheets, masking the sound of footsteps as Jack and Marcus move through the alleyway. The target: Connor Hayes's club, a flashy strip joint that serves as the front for Lisa's money-laundering operation.
"You sure he's here?" Marcus asks, adjusting his earpiece.
"He's always here on Friday nights," Jack says, pulling his hoodie over his head. "Time to make a statement."
---
Inside the club, Connor lounges on a velvet couch, a cigar in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other. The room is filled with scantily clad dancers and burly guards, all of whom keep a wary eye on the entrance.
Jack and Marcus slip in through the back, moving through the kitchen undetected. They pass by a few cooks and waitresses who pay them no mind, too busy with their tasks.
"Connor's office is upstairs," Marcus whispers. "Security's tight."
"Leave that to me," Jack says, slipping a small black device from his pocket – a signal jammer.
"You're really going to use that?" Marcus asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Watch and learn," Jack says, flipping the switch.
---
Upstairs, Connor's phone goes dark. "What the hell?" he mutters, pressing buttons. "No signal."
Before he can react, the door bursts open, and Jack strides in, gun drawn. Marcus follows close behind, locking the door behind them.
"You," Connor sneers, recognizing Jack instantly. "You've got some nerve showing up here."
"And you've got some nerve working for a snake like Lisa," Jack says, aiming the gun at Connor's head. "Time to pay up."
---
Outside, Chris and Paul wait in the getaway car, eyes scanning the street for any sign of backup. Chris's fingers drum nervously on the steering wheel.
"You think they're okay in there?" Paul asks, lighting a cigarette.
"If they're not," Chris says, jaw tight, "we're screwed."
---
Inside the office, Connor's eyes dart around, searching for an escape route. "You think killing me will solve your problems? Lisa will hunt you down."
"I'm not here to kill you," Jack says, stepping closer. "I'm here to take your accounts."
Connor's face falls as Jack tosses a flash drive onto the table. "What the hell is that?"
"It's a virus," Jack says, smirking. "And it's about to drain every cent you owe Lisa."
Connor lunges forward, but Marcus grabs him, slamming him into the wall. Jack plugs the drive into Connor's laptop, watching as the numbers start to drop.
[Mission Update: Expose Lisa's Network. Objective: Disrupt Connor Hayes. Progress: 80%]
---
Within minutes, the bank accounts are empty. Connor screams, struggling against Marcus's hold. "You can't do this!"
"We just did," Jack says, pocketing the drive. "And next time, it won't be your money we take. It'll be your life."
Marcus shoves Connor to the floor, and the two men slip out of the office, leaving him cursing and bleeding.
[Mission Completed: Disrupt Connor Hayes. Reward: Financial Siphoning Skill Lv. 1]
Jack's phone buzzes as the mission update flashes before his eyes.
"One down," he mutters, eyes gleaming. "Two to go."