The night air was thick with tension as Fiona and Darwin left the hotel, their minds racing with what had just happened. Sofia Laurent was barely clinging to life, a direct victim of Morrigan’s retaliation. It was the wake-up call they needed. They could not afford to stay on the defensive any longer. “We need to retaliate now,” Fiona said, her voice firm. “No more waiting for her to make the next move.” Darwin nodded. “Agreed. We hit her where it hurts.” Thalassa, who had been quiet since they arrived at the scene, finally spoke. “We need to dismantle her network from the inside. Gabriel Foster is the key. If he’s funding her, we cut him off.” Marcus tapped away on his laptop. “I’ve been tracking Foster’s accounts. He’s got shell companies moving money for Morrigan. If we expose them, we can freeze her assets.” Fiona smirked. “Then let’s make sure she has nothing left to fight with.” --- The team split up, each with a critical role to play. Marcus and Thalassa would continue
The weight of Sofia’s whispered word—Morrigan—hung heavy in the air. Fiona’s knuckles were white as she clenched her fists, her pulse hammering in her ears. Beside her, Darwin stood rigid, his expression carved from stone. The sight of the journalist, barely clinging to life on that stretcher, was a brutal confirmation that Morrigan had escalated the war. This was no longer a battle fought in the shadows. This was all-out warfare. “We need to move,” Fiona said, her voice tight with anger. Darwin nodded. “Agreed. We’re done playing defense.” Thalassa touched Fiona’s arm, her normally smug expression replaced by something dangerously sharp. “Sofia’s not dead yet. That means we still have a chance to get information from her. But if Morrigan wants her gone, she’ll send someone to finish the job.” “Then we keep her alive,” Fiona said. “We make sure she wakes up, and when she does, we find out everything she knows.” Marcus was already tapping away at his laptop, pulling security foota
The sound of shattering glass echoed through Fiona's memory as she stood in the aftermath of the failed hit on Sofia Laurent. The journalist was still alive, barely, but the attack had escalated the war Morrigan was waging from the shadows. They couldn’t wait any longer. Back at the safe house, the atmosphere was volatile. Darwin paced the room, fists clenched, his jaw tight. Thalassa sat with a map spread across the table, a red marker in her hand, circling key locations tied to Morrigan’s operations. Marcus stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, coordinating with allies they had been reluctant to involve until now. Fiona broke the silence. “We hit her back. Not just financially. We go after the people that keep her afloat.” Darwin stopped pacing, turning to her. “You’re talking about dismantling her infrastructure.” “Exactly,” Fiona said. “She wants to destroy everything we care about. It’s time we show her we can do the same.” Thalassa nodded. “I’ve been mapping out h
The morning air was thick with tension as Fiona stood by the window, staring at the gray skyline. Her reflection was barely visible in the glass, ghostlike and distant. It had been hours since Sofia's attempted assassination. The journalist was still in critical condition, but alive. Barely. Darwin entered the room quietly, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. He didn’t speak, just handed her the cup and joined her by the window. “She’s holding on,” he said finally. Fiona nodded. “But for how long?” “She gave us a name. That’s more than most people get before they’re silenced.” “Not good enough.” Fiona turned, her voice sharp. “We need to push harder, faster. Morrigan’s not going to slow down.” Darwin didn’t argue. He knew she was right. Thalassa entered with Marcus trailing behind, a tablet in hand. “We have something,” Marcus announced. “Sofia’s notes—we decrypted some of her files. She was onto a major asset transfer. Morrigan’s been funneling funds to offshore accounts und
The morning dawned with an eerie stillness as if the city itself was holding its breath. Fiona stood at the window of their temporary hideout, watching the street below. The sky was overcast, and the light that filtered through the clouds cast everything in a muted, gray tone. It suited her mood. Today wasn’t a day for joy. It was a day for war. Behind her, the room buzzed with movement. Marcus was finishing up a secure line to their new contact in Interpol. Thalassa sat on the floor with maps and surveillance photos spread out around her like a war general preparing for battle. Darwin, quiet and intense, leaned against the wall near the door, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "We’re ready," Marcus finally said, looking up. "The servers have been rigged to release everything if Morrigan tries to interfere with the next stage. Interpol agreed to act once we handed over the package. We just need the final proof—the nail in the coffin." Fiona nodded. "That’s what tonight is for
The soft hum of fluorescent lights filled the room as Dr. Hamilton glanced at the chart in her hands. She turned to Fiona Woods with a practiced smile, her voice steady yet kind.“Ms. Woods, congratulations. You’re eight weeks pregnant!”The words hit Fiona like a thunderclap. For a moment, she couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. The sterile air of the doctor’s office seemed to thicken, pressing down on her chest.“What?” she finally whispered, her voice faint. “Pregnant?”Dr. Hamilton nodded, her smile unwavering but cautious, as if she anticipated resistance. “Yes, eight weeks along.”Fiona’s mind spun. Eight weeks? How could that be?She and Darwin Solomon had always been careful. Painstakingly careful. Memories flitted back to his birthday two months ago. A night that began with champagne and laughter, and ended in a fleeting moment of recklessness. Just once, she reminded herself. It was only once.Her expression must have betrayed her thoughts, because Dr. Hamilton spoke gently. “It’
The heavy oak door creaked open as Fiona entered Darwin Solomon’s penthouse. The space was as cold and impersonal as its owner—minimalist decor, muted tones, and not a single item out of place.Darwin rarely brought her here. Their meetings usually took place at the villa he had arranged for her or the secluded corners of the office lounge. This house, with its stark perfection, wasn’t meant for her.She moved quietly through the rooms, her heels clicking softly against the marble floors. Her belongings were few, but she gathered them with deliberate care. Every drawer, every corner was checked to ensure she left no trace of herself behind. When the last item was tucked into her bag, she cast one final glance around the penthouse.This chapter of her life was closing.Back at her modest apartment, Fiona worked late into the night, her desk cluttered with documents. She sorted through notes, outlined pending tasks, and drafted her resignation letter.But her mind wasn’t on the handover
Inside the secretary’s office, silence hung heavy in the air. Darwin Solomon stood motionless, his eyes fixed on Fiona. For a man who controlled boardrooms with his mere presence, he now seemed lost. It wasn’t until the realization sank in—that Fiona was truly serious about leaving—that he spoke, his voice unusually subdued. “You haven’t visited your grandmother in a while,” he said, suppressing his anger and softening his tone. “I’ll give you a month’s leave. Think it over before making any final decisions.” Fiona’s expression didn’t waver. If anything, her resolve hardened. “There’s no need to think it over,” she replied evenly, meeting his gaze. “I’ve already decided.” Darwin’s patience snapped. “Fiona!” His tone was sharp, his frustration boiling over. For five years, she had been his constant—obedient, loyal, reliable. And now, she was throwing it all away. “You’re just a stand-in for Lilian,” he hissed, his voice dripping with disdain. “I’ve used you for fiv
The morning dawned with an eerie stillness as if the city itself was holding its breath. Fiona stood at the window of their temporary hideout, watching the street below. The sky was overcast, and the light that filtered through the clouds cast everything in a muted, gray tone. It suited her mood. Today wasn’t a day for joy. It was a day for war. Behind her, the room buzzed with movement. Marcus was finishing up a secure line to their new contact in Interpol. Thalassa sat on the floor with maps and surveillance photos spread out around her like a war general preparing for battle. Darwin, quiet and intense, leaned against the wall near the door, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "We’re ready," Marcus finally said, looking up. "The servers have been rigged to release everything if Morrigan tries to interfere with the next stage. Interpol agreed to act once we handed over the package. We just need the final proof—the nail in the coffin." Fiona nodded. "That’s what tonight is for
The morning air was thick with tension as Fiona stood by the window, staring at the gray skyline. Her reflection was barely visible in the glass, ghostlike and distant. It had been hours since Sofia's attempted assassination. The journalist was still in critical condition, but alive. Barely. Darwin entered the room quietly, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. He didn’t speak, just handed her the cup and joined her by the window. “She’s holding on,” he said finally. Fiona nodded. “But for how long?” “She gave us a name. That’s more than most people get before they’re silenced.” “Not good enough.” Fiona turned, her voice sharp. “We need to push harder, faster. Morrigan’s not going to slow down.” Darwin didn’t argue. He knew she was right. Thalassa entered with Marcus trailing behind, a tablet in hand. “We have something,” Marcus announced. “Sofia’s notes—we decrypted some of her files. She was onto a major asset transfer. Morrigan’s been funneling funds to offshore accounts und
The sound of shattering glass echoed through Fiona's memory as she stood in the aftermath of the failed hit on Sofia Laurent. The journalist was still alive, barely, but the attack had escalated the war Morrigan was waging from the shadows. They couldn’t wait any longer. Back at the safe house, the atmosphere was volatile. Darwin paced the room, fists clenched, his jaw tight. Thalassa sat with a map spread across the table, a red marker in her hand, circling key locations tied to Morrigan’s operations. Marcus stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, coordinating with allies they had been reluctant to involve until now. Fiona broke the silence. “We hit her back. Not just financially. We go after the people that keep her afloat.” Darwin stopped pacing, turning to her. “You’re talking about dismantling her infrastructure.” “Exactly,” Fiona said. “She wants to destroy everything we care about. It’s time we show her we can do the same.” Thalassa nodded. “I’ve been mapping out h
The weight of Sofia’s whispered word—Morrigan—hung heavy in the air. Fiona’s knuckles were white as she clenched her fists, her pulse hammering in her ears. Beside her, Darwin stood rigid, his expression carved from stone. The sight of the journalist, barely clinging to life on that stretcher, was a brutal confirmation that Morrigan had escalated the war. This was no longer a battle fought in the shadows. This was all-out warfare. “We need to move,” Fiona said, her voice tight with anger. Darwin nodded. “Agreed. We’re done playing defense.” Thalassa touched Fiona’s arm, her normally smug expression replaced by something dangerously sharp. “Sofia’s not dead yet. That means we still have a chance to get information from her. But if Morrigan wants her gone, she’ll send someone to finish the job.” “Then we keep her alive,” Fiona said. “We make sure she wakes up, and when she does, we find out everything she knows.” Marcus was already tapping away at his laptop, pulling security foota
The night air was thick with tension as Fiona and Darwin left the hotel, their minds racing with what had just happened. Sofia Laurent was barely clinging to life, a direct victim of Morrigan’s retaliation. It was the wake-up call they needed. They could not afford to stay on the defensive any longer. “We need to retaliate now,” Fiona said, her voice firm. “No more waiting for her to make the next move.” Darwin nodded. “Agreed. We hit her where it hurts.” Thalassa, who had been quiet since they arrived at the scene, finally spoke. “We need to dismantle her network from the inside. Gabriel Foster is the key. If he’s funding her, we cut him off.” Marcus tapped away on his laptop. “I’ve been tracking Foster’s accounts. He’s got shell companies moving money for Morrigan. If we expose them, we can freeze her assets.” Fiona smirked. “Then let’s make sure she has nothing left to fight with.” --- The team split up, each with a critical role to play. Marcus and Thalassa would continue
The silence in the safe house was deceptive. It wasn’t the calm of victory, but the pause before a storm. Fiona sat at the edge of the couch, her mind racing. The operation had been a success—they had struck a critical blow to Morrigan’s media empire. Yet, she knew this wasn’t the end. Morrigan wouldn’t take the attack lying down. Darwin stood by the window, his phone in hand. He had been monitoring news reports since their escape. The hack was making waves. Several major outlets had already begun reporting inconsistencies in Morrigan’s financial records, questioning her sudden rise to power. It was the beginning of the unraveling they had planned. “She’s going to retaliate,” Fiona muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Darwin turned to her, his eyes dark with thought. “She’ll come at us hard. She won’t just defend herself—she’ll want to destroy us.” Thalassa smirked from across the room, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. “Good. Let her come. We’ve been on the
The hum of the hotel elevator was almost deafening as Fiona and Darwin descended from the upper floors, where Morrigan had just issued her chilling warning. The once pristine and composed atmosphere of the meeting had quickly turned sour, leaving them with more questions than answers. Fiona's mind raced, her thoughts heavy with the implications of Morrigan’s offer. "She’s playing us," Darwin said quietly, his voice steady but tinged with an edge of frustration. "She wants us to make a choice—her side, or continue fighting against her. But it’s all a manipulation. She knows how to push our buttons." Fiona nodded, though the uncertainty gnawed at her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Morrigan was holding something back—some crucial piece of the puzzle that could give her the upper hand. Fiona was used to being in control and manipulating situations to her advantage. But Morrigan? She was an entirely different animal. "She won’t stop," Fiona said, her voice firm. "She’s trying to
The safe house was buzzing with activity. The team was fully aware of the dangers that lay ahead, but there was a new edge to their determination—one fueled by the need to outsmart Morrigan at her own game. Fiona stood at the front of the room, flipping through the dossier Marcus had compiled on the latest developments. The intel was invaluable, but it felt like every time they thought they had a grasp on the situation, Morrigan would shift, making the ground beneath them unstable. "You heard her right?" Fiona's voice cut through the low murmurs of the team. "She wants a meeting. And we can’t ignore the implications of that." Darwin was at the map pinned to the wall, tracing the routes they’d use to escape if things went wrong. He turned toward Fiona, his face tight with resolve. "Morrigan doesn’t do anything without purpose. This isn’t just a negotiation—it’s a trap. She wants us to think we have a choice in the matter." Thalassa was examining the blueprint of a luxury hotel in G
The silence in the safe house felt different now—heavier, more suffocating. After their daring mission in Zurich, the team had returned, expecting some form of reprieve. Instead, the weight of their actions pressed on them. Fiona sat on the edge of the couch, her fingers idly tapping her phone, eyes flickering over the reports Marcus had sent. The glow of the screen only illuminated the exhaustion that had settled in her bones. Darwin paced the room, his thoughts elsewhere. He ran his hand through his hair, each step heavy with the knowledge of what was coming. The clock on the wall ticked louder in the quiet room, every second passing with unbearable tension. "We’ve hit her, but we haven’t broken her," Fiona muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. Darwin stopped pacing, turning toward her. "I know," he replied. "But we’re getting closer. That’s what matters." Marcus was at his laptop, the blue light from the screen illuminating his face as he sifted through data. "Morriga