The opulence of the Schwarzenberg Palace was overwhelming. Chandeliers sparkled like constellations above a crowd of elegant guests, their laughter and conversation blending into a low hum. Ethan adjusted the cuffs of his black tuxedo as he stepped into the grand ballroom, feeling both underdressed and completely out of place.
Beside him, Elise Laurent radiated poise and confidence. Her emerald-green gown hugged her frame perfectly, and her hair was swept into an intricate bun. She moved like she belonged among these elites, her faint smile and sharp eyes scanning the crowd.
"Relax, Cross," she murmured, her voice low and smooth. "You're supposed to look like you've done this before."
Ethan smirked. "And you look like you were born for it."
Elise arched an eyebrow. "Flattery won't save you if you blow our cover."
Ahead of them, Marcus Wren strode confidently into the room, a white tuxedo jacket draped over his broad shoulders. He carried himself with the arrogance of someone who believed he owned the place.
Through their hidden earpieces, Alexander Graves's voice cut in, calm and authoritative.
"Team, listen up. Your target is Ambassador Sergei Grekov. He's wearing a gray suit and red tie, currently mingling near the south balcony. Your objective is to retrieve a data chip from his pocket without being detected. Do not cause a scene."
Ethan's pulse quickened. No scene. No mistakes. No pressure.
Ethan and Elise made their way across the ballroom, weaving through clusters of diplomats and socialites. The scent of champagne and expensive perfume filled the air, mingling with the faint sound of a string quartet playing on a raised platform.
"I have eyes on Grekov," Elise whispered, tilting her head slightly toward the south balcony.
Ethan followed her gaze. The ambassador was a tall, broad-shouldered man with salt-and-pepper hair. He held a glass of champagne in one hand while gesturing animatedly with the other, surrounded by a small group of equally well-dressed men.
"Marcus, you're up," Graves's voice crackled in their ears.
Across the room, Marcus smirked and casually picked up a champagne flute from a passing server. He sauntered toward Grekov's group, his movements smooth and deliberate.
Ethan's earpiece buzzed again. "Cross, Laurent position yourselves near the east corridor. If anything goes wrong, be ready to intervene."
"Understood," Elise murmured.
The two of them moved toward the edge of the ballroom, their steps light and purposeful. Ethan glanced over his shoulder and saw Marcus already engaging Grekov in conversation, the ambassador's expression shifting from polite interest to genuine amusement.
"Marcus could charm a snake out of its skin," Ethan muttered.
Elise smirked. "Let's hope he doesn't screw this up."
Ethan and Elise positioned themselves near the east corridor, a quieter area where the marble walls muffled the sound of the party.
Elise leaned casually against a pillar, adjusting an earring that doubled as a communications receiver. Ethan checked his watch, feigning disinterest as he scanned the area.
"Elise," Ethan whispered, "did you notice the two men near the bar?"
Elise glanced discreetly, her expression hardening. "Bodyguards. Armed, if I had to guess."
Ethan's stomach tightened. "If they're here for Grekov, they might notice Marcus making a move."
Elise's voice remained calm. "Then we make sure they don't."
Through the earpiece, Marcus's voice came through, smooth and confident. "I've got the chip. Moving out."
Ethan exhaled in relief. But the moment was short-lived.
"Cross, Laurent," Graves's voice cut in sharply, "we've got a problem. One of Grekov's bodyguards is moving toward Marcus."
Ethan looked toward the ballroom. One of the men they'd spotted earlier was indeed making his way toward Marcus, his expression dark and determined.
"Damn it," Elise hissed.
"I'll handle it," Ethan said, stepping forward.
Ethan intercepted the bodyguard near the edge of the ballroom, stepping directly into his path.
"Excuse me," Ethan said, his voice calm but firm. "Do you know where I can find the restroom? This place is like a maze."
The man glared at him, clearly unimpressed. "Out of my way."
Ethan didn't move. Instead, he stumbled slightly, letting the contents of his glass spill onto the man's suit.
"Ah, damn! I'm so sorry," Ethan said quickly, grabbing a napkin from a nearby table and dabbing at the man's jacket.
The bodyguard growled, shoving Ethan aside. "Watch yourself, kid."
But the brief distraction was enough. Marcus had slipped into the east corridor, the chip safely in hand.
Elise appeared beside Ethan, her voice low. "Not bad, Cross."
"I'm full of surprises," Ethan muttered.
The team regrouped in a small service hallway behind the ballroom. Marcus held up the tiny silver data chip, a triumphant smirk on his face.
"Mission accomplished," he said.
"Not yet," Elise said, glancing toward the exit. "We still have to get out of here."
Before anyone could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Ethan's heart sank. "They're onto us."
Marcus pocketed the chip. "Time to improvise."
The team moved quickly, ducking into a storage room filled with cleaning supplies and linens. Ethan pressed his ear against the door, listening as the footsteps grew louder.
"They're sweeping the area," Elise whispered.
"We need a distraction," Ethan said.
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "What kind of distraction?"
Ethan grabbed a nearby bottle of cleaning fluid and poured it onto a stack of towels.
"Something flammable."
Elise smirked. "Not bad, Cross."
They set the makeshift distraction near the door and slipped out through a back exit, just as the guards burst into the room.
The team emerged into the cool night air, the glittering lights of Vienna spread out before them. A sleek black SUV waited nearby, its engine idling.
The door opened, and Alexander Graves sat inside, his expression as sharp as ever.
"Get in," he said curtly.
Ethan climbed in, his pulse still racing. Elise followed, her calm exterior cracking slightly as she let out a slow breath.
Marcus handed the chip to Graves with a flourish. "Told you I'd get it done."
Graves didn't smile. He simply examined the chip before tucking it into his coat.
"This is just the beginning," Graves said, his voice low. "The information on this chip could change everything. But it also puts a target on your backs."
Ethan leaned back in his seat, exhaustion finally setting in.
The world of espionage was glamorous on the surface, but underneath, it was sharp and unforgiving.
And Ethan was just beginning to understand how dangerous it could truly be.
Lex's words echoed in his mind:
"Once you're in… there's no turning back."
End of Chapter 12.