The team barely escaped the ambush at the hideout, but the encounter with Evelyn's doppelgänger left them shaken. The realization that their enemies could create near-perfect replicas of people they trusted added a new layer of paranoia. Trust was already fragile, but now, it felt impossible.
The group regrouped in an abandoned warehouse outside the city. It was far from comfortable, but it gave them time to think. Zara immediately set up her equipment, her hands shaking slightly as she tried to analyze the data they'd retrieved from the enemy.
Sana sat in a corner, sharpening her blade, her eyes flickering to Evelyn every so often. Evelyn, meanwhile, sat apart from the rest, staring at the floor. The weight of suspicion crushed her spirit, but she didn't argue or defend herself. The video evidence and the appearance of her double had already damned her in the eyes of most.
Rylan broke the silence. "We can't keep running like this. Orion is always a step ahead. We need leverage."
"What kind of leverage?" Zara asked, not looking up from her screen.
Rylan hesitated before speaking. "We need to make a deal."
Sana looked up sharply. "A deal? With who?"
"Someone who knows Orion's operation from the inside," Rylan replied. "Someone with enough power to level the playing field."
"That's suicide," Sana said, her tone harsh. "You think any of his allies would betray him for us? He'd kill them before they even thought about it."
"Not all his allies are loyal," Rylan said. "Some are just waiting for the right opportunity."
Zara interrupted. "I might have something. There's a name buried in the files: Cassandra Steele. She's listed as a key financier for Orion's operations, but there's no indication she's fully loyal to him."
"Cassandra Steele," Rylan repeated, the name rolling off his tongue. "She's a power broker, isn't she? Deals with whoever offers the most."
Zara nodded. "Exactly. She's not tied to Orion out of loyalty it's business. If we can offer her something better, she might turn against him."
"And what do we have to offer her?" Sana asked skeptically. "We're fugitives with a half-broken team and no resources."
Rylan's gaze hardened. "We offer her something she can't refuse: a chance to eliminate Orion and take over his empire."
The team managed to contact Cassandra through a secure channel Zara hacked. After a tense negotiation, she agreed to meet them, but on her terms: in a neutral location heavily guarded by her people.
The meeting took place in a luxurious penthouse atop a skyscraper. The team entered cautiously, their weapons concealed but ready. Cassandra was waiting for them, dressed in a sleek black suit that radiated power. Her cold, calculating eyes scanned each of them as they entered.
"So," she began, her voice smooth and confident, "you're the ones causing so much trouble for Orion. I must say, I'm impressed you're still alive."
"Not for lack of trying on his part," Rylan said, stepping forward. "We need your help."
Cassandra raised an eyebrow. "And why would I risk crossing Orion for you?"
"Because you don't owe him anything," Rylan said. "You're a businesswoman, not his lackey. We're offering you a chance to take him down and take over his network."
Cassandra leaned back in her chair, a faint smile on her lips. "Interesting. But why should I believe you can succeed where so many others have failed?"
Zara stepped forward, holding up a tablet. "We have this," she said, showing Cassandra the decrypted portion of Orion's files. "Detailed information on his operations, weaknesses, and plans. With your resources and our skills, we can bring him down."
Cassandra studied the files, her smile widening. "This is impressive," she admitted. "But it's not enough."
"What do you want?" Rylan asked.
Cassandra's gaze flickered to Evelyn. "Her."
Evelyn stiffened. "What?"
"You're the wildcard in this game," Cassandra said. "The video footage of you working with Orion, the doppelgänger it all points to you being more involved than you claim. If I'm going to risk everything, I need to know exactly what role you've played in this mess."
Evelyn shook her head. "I've told you everything I know. That footage was fake!"
Cassandra's smile didn't falter. "Maybe. But until I'm certain, you're my insurance policy."
"No deal," Sana said immediately, stepping protectively in front of Evelyn. "We're not trading her."
"Then you'll have to find another ally," Cassandra said, standing. "And good luck surviving without me."
Rylan hesitated, his mind racing. They couldn't afford to lose Cassandra's help, but sacrificing Evelyn wasn't an option. Or was it?
"Wait," Rylan said, holding up a hand. "You can have her but only temporarily."
Sana spun to face him, her eyes blazing. "Are you out of your mind?"
"Listen to me," Rylan said, his voice firm. "We don't hand her over completely. She goes with Cassandra under our supervision. If we prove Evelyn's innocence, Cassandra releases her. If not..."
Sana's voice was icy. "If not, what?"
"Then she's Cassandra's to deal with," Rylan finished, his voice heavy.
Evelyn looked at Rylan, betrayal written all over her face. "You can't be serious."
"We don't have a choice," Rylan said. "It's the only way to secure her help."
After a tense silence, Cassandra extended her hand. "You have a deal."
Rylan shook it, sealing Evelyn's fate—for now. Cassandra's guards escorted Evelyn out of the room, leaving the rest of the team to watch helplessly.
"This isn't over," Sana said, her voice low and dangerous. "If anything happens to her, I'll hold you responsible, Rylan."
"She'll be fine," Rylan said, though his voice lacked conviction. "We just need to focus on taking down Orion."
As the team left the penthouse, Zara's tablet buzzed with a new notification. She glanced at it and froze, her face draining of color.
"What is it?" Rylan asked.
Zara hesitated before speaking. "The doppelgänger... she's not just a clone. She's being controlled."
"Controlled by who?" Sana demanded.
Zara turned the tablet around, showing them the screen. A live feed showed Evelyn's doppelgänger in a dark room, speaking directly to Orion.
"She's under his control," Zara said, her voice trembling. "And he's sending her after us."
The chapter ends with the team realizing that Evelyn's doppelgänger isn't just a tool—it's a weapon aimed directly at them. Time is running out, and the line between friend and foe has never been blurrier.