Victor's fury surfaced as he moved around his office. The phone call he had received earlier confirmed his worst fears—Aidan was getting too close. During the weeks that he and his colleagues had been exploring the mysteries of his realm, Aidan had sensed the noose tightening and the subtle shifts in prevailing power. Now that the rumbles were more than murmurs, Victor knew he had to move fast. If he didn't tie up any loose ends, his entire operation would collapse.
No amount of violence, extortion, or misrepresentation could ever persuade him to give up the money he had amassed. There was something wrong with Aidan that had become a major obstacle. Victor had already tried to calm his nephew, but the child was bold, clever, and, worse, had help. Several betrayers were fuelling Victor's paranoia, which had become out of control.
Vargas entered with an anxious expression. Victor saw the unease in his ally's eyes and became even more skeptical of him. So, he reasoned. Fear was a strong incentive.
"We have a situation," Vargas stated placidly. The latest CCTV footage shows that Dr. Ellison has left his house. He now has a black appearance.
"We won!" Victor yelled. His reply was a growl: "Ellison is the key." "Everything that we have worked for could be revealed if Aidan has reached him."
Then Vargas nodded. It seems that Aidan was disposed of by his people last night. The restaurant's installed surveillance cameras were not in use during the event.
Victor's frustration boiled over and he pounded his hand against the desk. Track him down. I will use every weapon available to us to hunt down that traitor. Even if he says nothing, we will perish if he tells us anything.
Victor could see that Vargas was nervous, but he kept his cool. "We'll locate him, sir. But Aidan's team works quickly and meticulously. It can require some time.
Victor exclaimed, "We don't have time." Assemble all of our materials. Utilize every connection and advantage you come across. Return Ellison immediately, or if you can't, stop him from speaking. I don't care about the price.
Within a few hours, Victor's orders were completed. In an effort to locate him, Ellison's group of hired men, spies, and informants scattered around the city and beyond. Victor knew that his once-loyal doctor's revelations may destroy him. In his testimony, Ellison would expose all of Victor's wrongdoings, including his involvement in the kidnapping of Evelyn Pierce, the staged death, and the bribes made to public employees in order to conceal the truth.
Victor was aware of the huge stakes. If the truth came to light, his empire would fall and he would die. All of his accomplishments and efforts would have been for nothing if this had happened. Actually, Aidan would win out.
Fear gripped Victor as he sat by himself in his office for the first time in years. Survival was more important than power. It felt like the walls were closing in on Victor, and he didn't think he could manage the situation.
Victor's next move was quick and cruel. He knew that in order to maintain control, he had to destroy his opponents who were getting closer to the truth. He began searching for anyone with information regarding Evelyn Pierce's incarceration. In order to find out Victor's "patient"'s whereabouts, he first went to a security guard who had worked there for many years and had been paid a lot of money to be quiet.
In the low light of a small tavern on the outskirts of town, Victor's men found the cop drinking alone. They were able to move fast as a result. They cornered him as he stepped outside, their knives shining in the streetlight. Before he could even call for assistance, the man was dead on the ground within minutes. Victor made it clear that no one who knew the truth would survive to tell it.
The next casualty was an accountant who had overseen the facility's finances. For years, Victor had kept him in check with threats and bribery. But Victor started to question if anyone was really loyal as Aidan's authority increased. It was necessary to hush the accountant.
In the dark, Victor's men broke into the accountant's home and trailed him to his apartment. Before he could speak, they had the man pinned against the wall. They disregarded his objections. As a warning to anyone else who might think about betraying Victor, they left his body in the bathroom and pretended it was a botched heist.
Victor was behaving violently, but he knew he had few choices. As he continued to eliminate potential threats, he sensed the net drawing nearer to him. As his adversaries approached, he hushed an increasing number of people, but he was still unable to learn the truth.
Vargas returned later that evening with a gloomy expression. "Another thing has happened, sir. We have also discovered an eyewitness who was a medical technician who worked at the hospital early on. We don't know where he is, but we have the lead.
An enraged glare came across Victor's face. "Bring him in." If he disobeys, you must ensure that he does not survive the encounter.
Vargas paused, which irritated Victor. "What is it, Vargas?"
With caution, Vargas said, "Some of the men are talking to each other." They seem nervous, sir. According to reports, Aidan is growing stronger and assembling a team that will defeat us. Some individuals are questioning if our level of aggression is appropriate.
Victor had icy eyes. What do you think, Vargas? Are you beginning to question my orders?
Vargas stood up straight, emotionless. Sorry, but no. I'll never betray you. But we have to be smart. If we don't take our time, we could be exposed.
Victor's voice had an air of hoarseness and snarl. You can't move too fast. We are running out of time. When Aidan finally shows up, I refuse to stand by and let him wreck us.
Victor's growing sense of despair coincided with a rise in his paranoia. He no longer had as much faith in people closest to him. It felt as though his advisors were always deceiving him with their words and demeanor. He grew certain that Aidan had spies on his side and took extreme steps to monitor his closest associates, listening in on their conversations and tracking their whereabouts.
One evening, Victor was monitoring the security camera footage from his workplace when he saw something that gave him the chills. Two of his closest advisors, Langston and Chen, were conversing. Their voices were hushed, their features contorted with worry.
Victor was getting angry, Langston grumbled. If he keeps acting like way, the whole kingdom around us will fall. A solution must exist.
Chen nodded and frowned. The transfer of some of my assets has already started. We have to be prepared. I refuse to sink with the ship in the event of an attack by Aidan's people.
Victor's hands clenched as he looked. He had trusted his own advisors for years, and now he was at risk of their betrayal. Despite his concerns, seeing the evidence on film was like a dagger to the belly.
With a tightening voice, Victor called out the word "Vargas." Please bring Langston and Chen to me. I need to talk to someone.
When Langston and Chen reached Victor's office, he remained calm and talked in a controlled tone. After glancing at them, he remarked, "I've been hearing troubling things." "Crumors of betrayal."
Langston shifted uneasily, but Chen's face stayed expressionless. "Victor, all we've done is serve you."
Victor smiled coldly. Is that right? following the viewing of the movie. I understand that you plan to disembark from the ship.
Langston's expression darkened. It's not true, Victor. We're just trying to protect ourselves. As Aidan continues to advance—
Victor cut him off with a deadly whisper. Betrayal is not something I will tolerate, Langston. And no one will be able to take me out of my powerful position.
A button on Vargas' desk triggered the entrance of two armed guards. Langston's horrified pupils enlarged, and the guards grabbed him before he could argue. Her expressionless eyes held Chen motionless.
"Take him down," Victor commanded. "Take him as an example."
The sound of Langston's cries echoed down the hallway as the security officers pulled him against his will from the room. Victor looked at Chen with icy eyes. This is your one chance to prove your loyalty. Please tell me what Aidan will do next. You risk becoming just like Langston if you let me down.
Chen nodded, a calm expression twisting her face. "Comprehensive."
No matter how hard Victor tried, he felt like he was surrounded by enemies. As Aidan's power and desperation mounted, Victor began to feel more and more alone. Nothing compared to the fear that gripped his soul and the betrayal he felt from those he had trusted.
He knew that frightening people and eliminating any witnesses would only provide temporary relief. Because of Aidan's growing fan base, the truth would eventually surface regardless of how much violence or threats were made. He had worked so hard to build his empire and power, and now they were crumbling before his very eyes.
As time passed, Victor's paranoia increased. He examined even his most loyal enforcers, suspecting Aidan of using moles to infiltrate his ranks. After years of faithfulness, Vargas now appeared to be a threat. Every word he spoke, every glance he gave, was scrutinized for signs of treachery.
Victor shifted his posture, and his hand shook. He knew that killing Aidan himself was the only way to maintain order. By eliminating the only potential rival to his power, he might reclaim his throne. Nevertheless, even as he prepared, he could feel the weight of his choices bearing down on him.