Meanwhile at the Ball,
The parking lot was bathed in the harsh glow of fluorescent lights, casting long, eerie shadows across the abandoned cars. The crime scene was still fresh, in the air the faint scent of blood and chaos lingered in the darkness.
Damien Hawke, his face as impassive as ever thanks to his mask, exited the scene with his usual grace, his dark coat sweeping behind him like a shadow. The limo waiting for him was sleek, black, and gleaming under the dim lights, as if the vehicle itself were an extension of his own power.
The moment Damien stepped into the limo, the door slammed shut behind him, and the vehicle sped off, leaving the scene behind. The soft hum of the engine was the only sound in the car, but inside, the air was thick with tension. Damien sat in the back, his sharp eyes gleaming, his thoughts a million miles away.
Next to him sat his Korean PA, Jin, a striking figure with long, red hair that cascaded down his back like a fiery waterfall. His eyes were sharp, the color of dark amber, and his demeanor was always cool, precise, and calculated. But tonight, there was a slight tremor in his normally steady hand as he jotted down Damien's orders on his sleek tablet.
Damien's voice broke the silence, low and commanding. "The plan is set in motion. I want you to ensure the investigation is thorough. We need to find every lead, every crack in their story. Lily is important to me, Jin. Don't fail me."
Jin nodded quickly, his fingers trembling as he typed in the orders on the tablet. "Understood, Master. I will ensure everything is handled discreetly."
His voice was steady, but there was an underlying edge of anxiety. He knew well enough that failing Damien was not an option — and the stakes were higher now than ever.
Damien's eyes narrowed as he stared out the window, the dark cityscape passing by.
"I want Elliot and Elise to believe they're in control. Let them think they're safe. But the moment Lily wakes up, I will make them regret every decision they've ever made."
Jin gulped, his throat tightening at the intensity in Damien's voice. He had served Damien for many years, but even he could sense the darkness that was building within him. There was something personal about this situation, something that went beyond just business.
"Yes, Master," Jin replied, his voice betraying the slight unease he felt. "I'll take care of it. The agents are ready, and the plan will proceed as you instructed."
Damien didn't respond immediately. His focus was elsewhere, but Jin could feel the weight of his gaze. Damien's mind was already on the next step—on the next move in the game. But the urgency in his words from earlier had left Jin with a gnawing feeling of uncertainty. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed a number, his hand slightly shaking as he pressed it to his ear.
"Agent Kwon," Jin said when the line clicked open. "It's Jin. The mission is a go. You have clearance. Proceed as planned."
There was a brief pause before the voice on the other end responded, cold and professional.
"Understood. The target is secured. We'll take care of it."
Jin's eyes flicked up to Damien, who was still lost in his own thoughts. "Everything's in motion, Master," Jin said softly, more to reassure himself than anything.
Damien's lips curled into a slight, almost imperceptible smile. "Good. Let's make sure it stays that way."
At the same time,
The hospital.
High above the hospital, on the rooftop of a nearby building, a shadowed figure watched the chaos below. The figure was cloaked in darkness, blending seamlessly with the night. The agent was trained and deadly, but this was no ordinary mission. The pale-skinned agent scanned the hospital's parking lot below, eyes glowing faintly in the dark, taking note of every guard, every camera, every potential threat.
The agent's form was lithe and agile, barely making a sound as he crouched on the rooftop, his eyes gleaming with intent. His target was clear — Lily Ashton. The woman who had once been the wife of Elliot and now held a far greater significance to Damien.
The mission was simple: infiltrate the hospital, take her, and leave without a trace.
He waited for the perfect moment. When the guards on the perimeter shifted positions, he moved.
With the grace of a predator, the agent launched himself from the rooftop, descending with terrifying precision. His movements were fluid, his body shifting midair like liquid, landing silently on the ground below. The guards never saw him coming.
Before they could react, the agent was upon them. In one swift motion, he incapacitated the first guard with a quick jab to the neck, his body crumpling to the ground with barely a sound. The second guard was just as easily taken out - his throat slit in a flash of steel. The third didn't even have time to scream before he was silenced by a clean strike.
The agent moved quickly, methodically, eliminating any obstacles in his path. His heart beat steadily, his thoughts clear - nothing would stop him from completing the mission.
Inside the hospital, the dimly lit corridors were eerily quiet. The agent moved like a shadow, slipping past cameras and dodging patrols. His senses were sharp, his mind focused. He knew exactly where to go.
Lily's ward.
He reached her door and paused for a moment. The faintest of sounds — footsteps approaching from down the hall — made him freeze.
Another guard.
With the precision of a trained killer, the agent ducked into the shadows, just in time for the guard to pass by. The moment the path cleared, he moved again, entering Lily's room undetected.
Lily lay unconscious in the bed, her pale face almost serene, though the bruises and cuts from the accident marred her beauty. The agent stepped forward, crouching by her bedside. He could feel the weight of the moment. This was no ordinary mission. The woman he was about to take was more than just a target. She was a pawn in a much larger game, and yet she was also the key to everything.
With a swift motion, he injected a tranquilizer into her IV, ensuring she would remain unconscious for the duration of the journey. He lifted her effortlessly into his arms, her frail body weightless as he carried her to the exit.
The agent stepped back into the shadows, slipping out of the hospital as easily as he had entered. His footsteps were quiet, calculated, as he made his way to the car parked in the shadows.
The driver, a silent figure, was already waiting. The car's engine hummed softly as the agent placed Lily in the backseat, ensuring she was comfortable enough for the ride. Without a word, he slid into the front seat and gave the signal. The car sped off into the night.
As they drove, the agent pulled out his phone and dialed the number he had been given. The call was answered on the first ring.
"The mission is complete. Lily Ashton is in our custody."
There was a brief pause on the other end before Damien's voice came through, dark and commanding. "Good. Bring her to me. We have much to discuss."
The agent nodded, even though Damien couldn't see him. He knew better than to question the order. "Understood, Boss. We're en route now."
As the car sped through the night, the figure in the backseat remained still, her face pale, her body limp - but the agent knew this was far from over. The game had only just begun.