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Black Pawns

Penulis: HaiiStory
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-01-15 00:09:34

Time moves differently in the operating room of Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam.

Vic stood in front of the thick glass window that separated him from the operating room, watching the team of doctors work to save Stefan's life. Beside him, Alexandra - who he now knew to be his half-sister - stood silently, still wearing the Cartier bracelet that was the key to everything.

“The data transfer is complete,” Alexandra said quietly, her eyes not leaving the monitor that displayed Stefan's heartbeat. “All the evidence about Red Lotus, the identities of all its members, the illegal transactions over the past two decades... it's all in your system now.”

“Why?” Vic didn't take his eyes off Stefan. “Why give it to me?”

“Because you're the only one who can destroy them without destroying the European banking system.” Alexandra smiled slightly. “Isn't that your specialty? A 'calculated killer' who can execute a target with no collateral damage.”

Before Vic could answer, the waiting room door opened. Marcus - he still wasn't used to not calling him Max - entered with two cups of coffee from Café Dudok.

“The tactical team has secured dad's last location,” he placed the coffee in front of Vic. “But as we suspected, he's disappeared. Left this behind.”

Marcus pulled a navy Smythson envelope from the pocket of his Brunello Cucinelli suit. Inside, a piece of paper in Professor Maharani's elegant handwriting:

To my beloved children,

You think you've won? This is just the opening. I have positioned every chess piece on this board since you were born. And remember - in the Maharani family game, nothing is truly white or black.

See you in the next game. - Papa.

“Shit,” Marcus swore under his breath. “He had it all planned out. Even Alexandra's betrayal.”

“Not a betrayal,” Alexandra shook her head. “But learning. Papa always said the best way to teach chess is to let your opponent think they're winning.”

“So all this is... just a lesson?” Vic crumpled the envelope in his hand.

“Not entirely.” Alexandra pulled out her Vertu phone, showing a financial article. “Look at the publication date of the Red Lotus document I transferred to your system.”

Vic read the date on the screen: November 15, 2010. “The day Willem Visser died.”

“And look who signed the last fund transfer approval document.” Alexandra zoomed in on the article.

Vic's blood rushed. That signature... “Mama?”

“Yes, Maria Maharani. Papa's second wife, your mother.” Alexandra smiled bitterly. “Who 'tragically' died in a car accident a month after signing this document.”

Vic staggered, but Marcus caught him. “So mama...”

“She found out the truth about the Red Lotus,” Marcus continued. “And papa killed her.”

“But that's not all.” Alexandra showed another document. “Mama had made copies of all the evidence. And sent it to a place where papa wouldn't be suspected.”

“Where?”

“To an email address that will automatically activate on your 42nd birthday.” Alexandra looked at Vic. “Three months ago.”

Vic closed his eyes, remembering the mysterious email he received. The one he thought was spam and almost deleted, if not for the strange subject line: “To My Daughter, From Heaven.”

“So all this time...”

“Yes,” Alexandra nodded. “We were all pawns in papa's game. But mama... mama gave you the key to end this game.”

The sudden rise of the heart monitor interrupted their conversation. In the operating room, a team of doctors moved quickly around Stefan.

“Cardiac arrest!” one of the doctors called out. “Get the defibrillator!”

Vic pressed his hand against the glass, as if he could reach Stefan. Beside him, Alexandra held his hand.

“He'll survive,” Alexandra whispered. “Stefan is too stubborn to die now.”

“Did you really love him then?” Vic asked softly.

“Yes. But not like he loved you.” Alexandra smiled. “What he felt for me back then was just college monkey love. But you... you changed him. Made her dare to defy the Red Lotus.”

The heart monitor stabilized. The team of doctors began to relax. Vic exhaled the breath he had been unconsciously holding.

“So what's your plan now?” Marcus asked. “With all this evidence, you can destroy the Red Lotus in a matter of days.”

“No,” Vic shook his head. “Papa was right about one thing - this is just the opening.”

He pulls out his laptop, opening the audit system that now holds Europe's biggest banking secrets. “If we are to win, we must play the papa way. Slowly, methodically, and...”

“Calculating,” Alexandra finished her sentence.

“Exactly.” Vic started typing. “And I have a plan that will make papa proud... and regret the day he underestimated his daughter.”

On the laptop screen, data began to move. Complex codes that only a financial forensic of Vic's caliber could understand flowed like a digital river. Every number, every transaction, was a weapon he would use to avenge his mother.

“But I need your help,” Vic looked at his half-brothers. “Marcus with his Europol connections, Alexandra with her secret network.”

“And Stefan?” Alexandra asked.

Vic glanced into the operating room, where Stefan was fast asleep. “He'll be our ace in the hole. Papa doesn't know that the son of the previous Red Lotus leader is now on our side.”

“A dangerous game of chess,” Marcus warned.

“Indeed,” Vic smiled. A smile that reminded them of Professor Maharani. “But as papa said - in the Maharani family game, nothing is really white or black.”

Outside the hospital window, Rotterdam glistened in the light of the evening sun. The skyscrapers reflected a golden orange, creating the illusion of a city on fire. Maybe it was time, Vic thought, to burn the old and build the new from its ashes.

His cell phone vibrated. A message from an unknown number:

Welcome to the real game, my daughter. - M

And for the first time, Vic didn't feel afraid. Because now he knew - he wasn't alone in this battle.

He had a real family.

Stefan's heart monitor beat steadily, like a metronome accompanying the strategy that was taking shape in Vic's head. The game had just begun.

And this time, he would be the one setting the pieces.

Bab terkait

  • The Price of Betrayal    White Pawns

    Erasmus Medical Center has the best VIP rooms in the Netherlands, but for Vic, the luxurious room with Phillipe Starck interiors felt like a prison. It had been three days since Stefan had regained consciousness after surgery, and during that time she had not left his side except to take a shower in the private bathroom attached to the room.“You need to rest,” Alexandra placed a Maison Kayser paper cup filled with café au lait on Stefan's bedside table. “We have a big battle ahead.”Vic took a cup of coffee, feeling the warmth seep into his cold hands. “How did the last scan from the IT team go?”“They managed to break 60% of the encryption on the data I transferred.” Alexandra took out her iPad Pro, showing a series of complex graphs. “As you might have guessed, Red Lotus is not just another money laundering organization. They have a special division that focuses on manipulating the crypto market.”“Crypto laundering,” Vic nodded. “Perfect platform to hide dirty funds. Untraceable,

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15
  • The Price of Betrayal    Gray Pawns

    De Nederlandsche Bank's office in Amsterdam always looked grand, but that afternoon the neo-classical building looked different to Vic. Perhaps it was because now he saw her not as an employee, but as someone planning to breach its security system.“All set,” Charlotte whispered from a hidden earpiece linked to Europol's latest technology. Her personal assistant was now sitting in the bank's main lobby, pretending to wait for Gerard van der Meer for dinner.Vic watched his reflection in the glass of the private elevator that took him to the 32nd floor. The navy Stella McCartney blazer he wore perfectly concealed the equipment Marcus had given him. “System status?”“Clean,” Alexandra's voice came from the surveillance van parked two blocks from the bank. “CCTV has been looped for the next ten minutes. But remember - the backup system will activate automatically after that.”“Ten minutes,” Vic sighed. “More than enough to reach Gerard's safe.”“Don't be so sure,” Stefan warned from his

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15
  • The Price of Betrayal    Silver Pawns

    The Bombardier Global 7500 private jet landed smoothly at Geneva International Airport just as dawn touched the summit of Mont Blanc. Alexandra, who hadn't taken her eyes off Maria Maharani's Lenovo ThinkPad laptop since takeoff from Amsterdam, finally looked up.“There's something strange about this laptop,” she said as she removed her Bowers & Wilkins headphones. “Some of the files are encrypted with algorithms I've never seen before.”“Mama always liked puzzles,” Marcus nodded from the chair opposite, his fingers tapping lightly on Connolly's leather armlrest. “But what's even stranger is why papa let us get the key to Willem Visser's safe so easily.”Vic, who had been silently watching the clouds from the window, twisted the Cartier Trinity ring on his finger - a birthday present from Stefan that he never took off. “Because it's not about the physical key.”“You mean?” Alexandra frowned.“Gerard said papa wanted us to steal the key,” Vic pulled a platinum key out of his Chanel bla

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15
  • The Price of Betrayal    Crystal Pawns

    The Credit Suisse Private Banking building on Paradeplatz Square stood proud with its neo-baroque architecture. Vic, who had just gotten out of a black Bentley Flying Spur, gazed at the white marble facade with a mixture of emotions that were hard to explain.“It's strange being back here,” Alexandra whispered beside him, smoothing her navy Bottega Veneta dress. “The last time I entered this bank, I was still one of its directors.”“And now we're going to hack into its systems,” Marcus added from his earpiece, still watching from the surveillance van parked near Zunfthaus zur Meisen. “How time changes everything.”Vic checked the Vacheron Constantin watch on his wrist. 08:45. “Stefan?”“System breach in progress,” Stefan's voice came from Rotterdam. “But Credit Suisse doesn't mess around with their security upgrades. It's going to take some time.”“How long?”“Fifteen minutes, minimum. And that's if there's no-” Stefan paused for a moment. “Wait. Something's weird.”“Define 'strange',

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15
  • The Price of Betrayal    The Pawn Who Became Queen

    The sound of gunfire in Rotterdam still echoed in Vic's ears as he stepped into UBS Private Banking. Alexandra followed beside him, Beretta pistol at the ready.“We should have saved him,” Alexandra whispered, guilt evident in her voice.“We will,” Vic replied coldly. “By finishing this.”The elevator took them to the 14th floor in eerie silence. A long white corridor stretched before them, its glass walls reflecting the golden afternoon sunlight.Room 1402.Vic pulled out the platinum key Gerard had given him, his fingers tracing the familiar carved rose. The same key Elizabeth van Houten held in that old photograph.“Ready?” he glanced at Alexandra.“No. But we've come too far to back out.”The door opened with a soft click. The room was bright and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows displaying a panoramic view of Geneva. In the center of the room, an antique mahogany table.It was empty.“Too late?” Alexandra whispered, securing the corners of the room with her pistol.“No,” Vi

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-19
  • The Price of Betrayal    Secrets in the Safe

    Amsterdam has never looked so gloomy.Victoria “Vic” Dewi Maharani gazes at the imposing building of De Nederlandsche Bank through the windshield of her Audi RS e-tron GT parked at Oude Turfmarkt. November showers pound the city with low but persistent intensity, creating a curtain of water that refracts the streetlights into a spectrum of golden hues. The clock on the dashboard reads 23:47 - an unusual time to start a financial audit.But since when was life normal?Vic straightens his black Armani suit, making sure his special Forensic Finance name tag is perfectly in place. At 42 years old, he still looks stunning with his unique blend of Indonesian-Dutch features: piercing dark brown eyes, high cheekbones, and fair skin that contrasts with his shoulder-length black hair that is always neatly styled.“Are you sure you want to do this now?” Stefan van der Wolff, her 35-year-old husband, took her hand. Their platinum rings glistened faintly. “It can wait until tomorrow morning.”Vic

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-13
  • The Price of Betrayal    The Hunter

    Maximilian “Max” Reeves has never forgotten the gunshot that took his life fifteen years ago.No, he didn't die literally. But part of his soul was shattered when he heard the news that his father, De Nederlandsche Bank CEO Willem Visser, had ended his life in a prison cell with a contraband pistol. That same day her twin sister, Alexandra, disappeared without a trace.Now, standing on the veranda of the Four Seasons Hotel Amsterdam's Presidential suite, Max surveys the De Nederlandsche Bank building looming in the distance. Dawn light hits the top of its classic clock tower, creating the illusion of golden flames. Ironic, considering the storm he would soon unleash within.“Target secured?” The voice in his headset broke the reverie.Max took a sip of his espresso, letting the bitter liquid flow with the memories. “Victoria managed to find the safe, just as we predicted. Stefan and his team took it to the prepared location.”“And Alexandra's body?”“Right where they hid her all along

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-13
  • The Price of Betrayal    Buried Secrets

    Alexandra Visser has always known that death is an art form.Fifteen years ago, she orchestrated her own death with the precision of a maestro. A fake corpse with manipulated DNA, carefully planted evidence, even precise calculations on how the ice in the vault would preserve her “remains”. All for one purpose - to destroy the Red Lotus from within.Now, standing in the dimly lit warehouse with a gun pointed at Victoria van der Wolff's head, he could almost feel his maestro-piece climaxing.“Put the gun down, Max,” he ordered without taking his eyes off Vic. “Unless you want this forensic darling of yours to join 'my body' in the safe.”Max didn't move. His hand was steady on the Glock, his eyes searching for openings - a habit they'd learned together at the secret Red Lotus academy all those years ago. “What exactly are you planning, Alex?”“You still don't understand?” Alexandra laughed softly. “All this time you thought you were protecting me, dear sister. But actually, I was the o

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-13

Bab terbaru

  • The Price of Betrayal    The Pawn Who Became Queen

    The sound of gunfire in Rotterdam still echoed in Vic's ears as he stepped into UBS Private Banking. Alexandra followed beside him, Beretta pistol at the ready.“We should have saved him,” Alexandra whispered, guilt evident in her voice.“We will,” Vic replied coldly. “By finishing this.”The elevator took them to the 14th floor in eerie silence. A long white corridor stretched before them, its glass walls reflecting the golden afternoon sunlight.Room 1402.Vic pulled out the platinum key Gerard had given him, his fingers tracing the familiar carved rose. The same key Elizabeth van Houten held in that old photograph.“Ready?” he glanced at Alexandra.“No. But we've come too far to back out.”The door opened with a soft click. The room was bright and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows displaying a panoramic view of Geneva. In the center of the room, an antique mahogany table.It was empty.“Too late?” Alexandra whispered, securing the corners of the room with her pistol.“No,” Vi

  • The Price of Betrayal    Crystal Pawns

    The Credit Suisse Private Banking building on Paradeplatz Square stood proud with its neo-baroque architecture. Vic, who had just gotten out of a black Bentley Flying Spur, gazed at the white marble facade with a mixture of emotions that were hard to explain.“It's strange being back here,” Alexandra whispered beside him, smoothing her navy Bottega Veneta dress. “The last time I entered this bank, I was still one of its directors.”“And now we're going to hack into its systems,” Marcus added from his earpiece, still watching from the surveillance van parked near Zunfthaus zur Meisen. “How time changes everything.”Vic checked the Vacheron Constantin watch on his wrist. 08:45. “Stefan?”“System breach in progress,” Stefan's voice came from Rotterdam. “But Credit Suisse doesn't mess around with their security upgrades. It's going to take some time.”“How long?”“Fifteen minutes, minimum. And that's if there's no-” Stefan paused for a moment. “Wait. Something's weird.”“Define 'strange',

  • The Price of Betrayal    Silver Pawns

    The Bombardier Global 7500 private jet landed smoothly at Geneva International Airport just as dawn touched the summit of Mont Blanc. Alexandra, who hadn't taken her eyes off Maria Maharani's Lenovo ThinkPad laptop since takeoff from Amsterdam, finally looked up.“There's something strange about this laptop,” she said as she removed her Bowers & Wilkins headphones. “Some of the files are encrypted with algorithms I've never seen before.”“Mama always liked puzzles,” Marcus nodded from the chair opposite, his fingers tapping lightly on Connolly's leather armlrest. “But what's even stranger is why papa let us get the key to Willem Visser's safe so easily.”Vic, who had been silently watching the clouds from the window, twisted the Cartier Trinity ring on his finger - a birthday present from Stefan that he never took off. “Because it's not about the physical key.”“You mean?” Alexandra frowned.“Gerard said papa wanted us to steal the key,” Vic pulled a platinum key out of his Chanel bla

  • The Price of Betrayal    Gray Pawns

    De Nederlandsche Bank's office in Amsterdam always looked grand, but that afternoon the neo-classical building looked different to Vic. Perhaps it was because now he saw her not as an employee, but as someone planning to breach its security system.“All set,” Charlotte whispered from a hidden earpiece linked to Europol's latest technology. Her personal assistant was now sitting in the bank's main lobby, pretending to wait for Gerard van der Meer for dinner.Vic watched his reflection in the glass of the private elevator that took him to the 32nd floor. The navy Stella McCartney blazer he wore perfectly concealed the equipment Marcus had given him. “System status?”“Clean,” Alexandra's voice came from the surveillance van parked two blocks from the bank. “CCTV has been looped for the next ten minutes. But remember - the backup system will activate automatically after that.”“Ten minutes,” Vic sighed. “More than enough to reach Gerard's safe.”“Don't be so sure,” Stefan warned from his

  • The Price of Betrayal    White Pawns

    Erasmus Medical Center has the best VIP rooms in the Netherlands, but for Vic, the luxurious room with Phillipe Starck interiors felt like a prison. It had been three days since Stefan had regained consciousness after surgery, and during that time she had not left his side except to take a shower in the private bathroom attached to the room.“You need to rest,” Alexandra placed a Maison Kayser paper cup filled with café au lait on Stefan's bedside table. “We have a big battle ahead.”Vic took a cup of coffee, feeling the warmth seep into his cold hands. “How did the last scan from the IT team go?”“They managed to break 60% of the encryption on the data I transferred.” Alexandra took out her iPad Pro, showing a series of complex graphs. “As you might have guessed, Red Lotus is not just another money laundering organization. They have a special division that focuses on manipulating the crypto market.”“Crypto laundering,” Vic nodded. “Perfect platform to hide dirty funds. Untraceable,

  • The Price of Betrayal    Black Pawns

    Time moves differently in the operating room of Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam.Vic stood in front of the thick glass window that separated him from the operating room, watching the team of doctors work to save Stefan's life. Beside him, Alexandra - who he now knew to be his half-sister - stood silently, still wearing the Cartier bracelet that was the key to everything.“The data transfer is complete,” Alexandra said quietly, her eyes not leaving the monitor that displayed Stefan's heartbeat. “All the evidence about Red Lotus, the identities of all its members, the illegal transactions over the past two decades... it's all in your system now.”“Why?” Vic didn't take his eyes off Stefan. “Why give it to me?”“Because you're the only one who can destroy them without destroying the European banking system.” Alexandra smiled slightly. “Isn't that your specialty? A 'calculated killer' who can execute a target with no collateral damage.”Before Vic could answer, the waiting room door open

  • The Price of Betrayal    Buried Secrets

    Alexandra Visser has always known that death is an art form.Fifteen years ago, she orchestrated her own death with the precision of a maestro. A fake corpse with manipulated DNA, carefully planted evidence, even precise calculations on how the ice in the vault would preserve her “remains”. All for one purpose - to destroy the Red Lotus from within.Now, standing in the dimly lit warehouse with a gun pointed at Victoria van der Wolff's head, he could almost feel his maestro-piece climaxing.“Put the gun down, Max,” he ordered without taking his eyes off Vic. “Unless you want this forensic darling of yours to join 'my body' in the safe.”Max didn't move. His hand was steady on the Glock, his eyes searching for openings - a habit they'd learned together at the secret Red Lotus academy all those years ago. “What exactly are you planning, Alex?”“You still don't understand?” Alexandra laughed softly. “All this time you thought you were protecting me, dear sister. But actually, I was the o

  • The Price of Betrayal    The Hunter

    Maximilian “Max” Reeves has never forgotten the gunshot that took his life fifteen years ago.No, he didn't die literally. But part of his soul was shattered when he heard the news that his father, De Nederlandsche Bank CEO Willem Visser, had ended his life in a prison cell with a contraband pistol. That same day her twin sister, Alexandra, disappeared without a trace.Now, standing on the veranda of the Four Seasons Hotel Amsterdam's Presidential suite, Max surveys the De Nederlandsche Bank building looming in the distance. Dawn light hits the top of its classic clock tower, creating the illusion of golden flames. Ironic, considering the storm he would soon unleash within.“Target secured?” The voice in his headset broke the reverie.Max took a sip of his espresso, letting the bitter liquid flow with the memories. “Victoria managed to find the safe, just as we predicted. Stefan and his team took it to the prepared location.”“And Alexandra's body?”“Right where they hid her all along

  • The Price of Betrayal    Secrets in the Safe

    Amsterdam has never looked so gloomy.Victoria “Vic” Dewi Maharani gazes at the imposing building of De Nederlandsche Bank through the windshield of her Audi RS e-tron GT parked at Oude Turfmarkt. November showers pound the city with low but persistent intensity, creating a curtain of water that refracts the streetlights into a spectrum of golden hues. The clock on the dashboard reads 23:47 - an unusual time to start a financial audit.But since when was life normal?Vic straightens his black Armani suit, making sure his special Forensic Finance name tag is perfectly in place. At 42 years old, he still looks stunning with his unique blend of Indonesian-Dutch features: piercing dark brown eyes, high cheekbones, and fair skin that contrasts with his shoulder-length black hair that is always neatly styled.“Are you sure you want to do this now?” Stefan van der Wolff, her 35-year-old husband, took her hand. Their platinum rings glistened faintly. “It can wait until tomorrow morning.”Vic

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