Chapter 67

The quiet of the evening settled over the warehouse where Julian’s team had set up temporary operations, the silence only broken by the occasional shuffle or low murmur from one of his men. Erica and Julian sat in his office, reviewing the latest information from their investigation, feeling a tenuous sense of victory with Ophelia in custody.

Julian's brow furrowed as he scanned the list of names they had recently uncovered—associates, accomplices, and underlings of Ophelia’s organization. Each name, each alias, represented another step closer to unraveling her network. For the first time, it felt like they were gaining ground.

“She kept herself hidden for so long,” Erica murmured, her finger tracing a path along the list of locations they’d narrowed down. “But it feels like we finally have control.”

Julian offered her a reassuring nod. “It’s because we do. Every operation has a tipping point, and Ophelia’s hit hers. Without her connections and her men, she’s…”

A loud bang from the wa