Ethan Carter was reviewing the intercepted communication logs in his office when a message from Jessica came through his private line. The data fragments from the false endpoints had just been decrypted, yielding new leads. Among them was a coded conversation implicating Thomas Ng in transactions far deeper than previously suspected. It wasn't just gambling debts—Ng had ties to a high-level operative within the shadow network, someone referred to only as "The Broker."
Ethan's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the information. If "The Broker" was the brains behind the shadow network's operations, then Ng was the closest link to pulling him into the light. Ethan didn't need to destroy Ng—he needed to use him. Carefully.
Jessica and Sophia entered the office, their expressions tense but focused. Jessica was carrying a new folder. "We've confirmed it," she said, dropping the folder on Ethan's desk. "Ng's financial trails connect to accounts tied to shell companies managed by The Broker. These accounts are also being used to fund operations across Southeast Asia."
Sophia leaned against the edge of Ethan's desk, arms crossed. "If The Broker is financing Omega's activities as well, then this isn't just about sabotaging Zenith. This is a coordinated effort to lock us out of the most profitable markets."
Ethan didn't reply immediately. His mind was already calculating. The shadow network and Omega were like two heads of the same beast, each feeding off the other. Cutting off one would weaken the other, but the real challenge was timing. Strike too soon, and they'd adapt. Wait too long, and they'd solidify their advantage.
"We need Ng to lead us directly to The Broker," Ethan said finally, his voice calm but sharp. "The false scandal we created rattled him, but it's not enough. He's still holding back. We need to turn up the pressure."
Jessica frowned. "If we push too hard, he could panic and disappear entirely. He's already paranoid. He might think cutting all ties is his only way out."
Ethan's lips curled into a faint smile. "Then we give him something he can't run from. If fear doesn't keep him in line, desperation will."
Later that evening, Ethan outlined his plan in the war room with Jessica, Sophia, and Mark Zhou. Ng's desperation would need to be carefully controlled, and Ethan's team would have to anticipate every move he might make.
"We're going to escalate the narrative," Ethan began, standing before the glowing projections on the wall. "Ng thinks he's being investigated for financial misconduct, but we're going to make him believe that his entire career is at risk."
Jessica leaned forward. "How do we do that?"
"By bringing the threat closer to home," Ethan replied. "We'll fabricate evidence suggesting that someone within his firm has started cooperating with law enforcement. A whistleblower. If Ng believes that someone in his inner circle is turning on him, he'll become desperate enough to make a mistake."
Mark nodded, already taking notes. "And when he panics, we'll be ready to catch whatever falls out of his hands."
Sophia frowned slightly. "And if he goes straight to The Broker for protection?"
Ethan's smile didn't waver. "That's exactly what we want."
The next phase of the plan began the following morning. Jessica worked with Zenith's intelligence team to create a series of fake internal memos, supposedly leaked from Ng's firm. These memos hinted at an ongoing investigation into corruption and named several employees as potential whistleblowers. The memos were carefully crafted to be just plausible enough to spark paranoia without inviting actual scrutiny.
Within hours, the memos had reached Ng's desk. Surveillance teams reported his immediate reaction: frantic calls to his lawyer, his accountant, and—most importantly—a burner phone that he used for encrypted communications. Jessica monitored the burner phone's activity from Zenith's headquarters.
"He's contacting someone," she reported to Ethan. "The signal is bouncing through multiple relays, but it's headed toward Eastern Europe. This could be The Broker."
Ethan watched the live feed on the screen, his expression unreadable. "Track the signal. I want to know exactly where it leads."
Sophia entered with an update. "Ng has just transferred a significant amount of money—two million dollars—to an offshore account we hadn't flagged before. He's paying for something."
"A lifeline," Ethan said. "He's trying to buy his way out of trouble."
Mark added, "We've already flagged the account. We can freeze it if needed."
"Not yet," Ethan said. "Let him think his payment went through. The more secure he feels, the more reckless he'll become."
By late afternoon, Ng's next move was clear. Surveillance teams reported that he had left his office and was heading to a private airstrip outside the city. His destination: Prague. Ethan's earlier efforts had already identified Prague as one of the shadow network's key hubs. If Ng was going there, it could only mean one thing—he was seeking The Broker's protection.
Jessica updated Ethan as he prepared to leave for Zenith Tower's helipad. "He's booked a private jet under an alias, but our team has already infiltrated the airstrip. They'll have eyes on him the entire time."
Ethan nodded. "Good. When he lands in Prague, I want a team on the ground ready to intercept him. He won't even realize we're there."
Sophia stepped closer, her voice low but firm. "You're personally going to oversee this, aren't you?"
Ethan glanced at her, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Of course. This isn't the kind of move you delegate."
Sophia didn't look convinced. "Just be careful. The Broker isn't some low-level operative. If you're walking into his territory, you need to be prepared for anything."
Ethan's smile was razor-sharp. "I'm not walking into his territory. I'm drawing him into mine."
When Ng's plane landed in Prague, Ethan's team was already in position. Ng was picked up by a car that took him to a secluded villa on the outskirts of the city. Surveillance drones tracked his movements, and Zenith's operatives intercepted the villa's communications, recording every word exchanged.
Inside the villa, Ng met with a shadowy figure—a man whose face was obscured but whose voice carried authority. Ethan listened to the live audio feed from Zenith's command center.
"The Broker," Jessica whispered, her voice tense.
The Broker's tone was cold and clipped. "You've brought too much attention to yourself, Ng. Your carelessness has jeopardized the entire operation."
Ng stammered, his fear evident. "I didn't know—I didn't realize they were onto me. I need your protection."
The Broker's response was laced with disdain. "Protection comes at a cost. And you're running out of assets to pay it."
Ethan's expression remained calm as he listened. The Broker was ruthless but practical, and that practicality could be exploited.
Sophia leaned closer to the monitor. "What's the play?"
Ethan's gaze didn't waver. "We let this conversation play out. Then we remind The Broker that he's not the only one watching."
As the meeting continued, Ng revealed more about the shadow network's operations, inadvertently giving Zenith's team valuable intelligence. But when the Broker began to suspect a trap, Ethan made his move.
From a secure channel, Ethan transmitted a message directly to the villa's communications system—a simple but chilling statement: "We see you."
The reaction was immediate. The Broker froze, his eyes scanning the room as if the walls themselves were watching. Ng panicked, realizing he had brought more trouble than he could handle.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his smile cold and confident. "Let the games begin."