The atmosphere in Dylan's private war room was cold and heavy. Maps, surveillance photos, and red-marked locations covered the long table at the center. Jayden stood by the window, arms crossed, tension written all over his face. Dylan paced slowly, every step echoing like a clock ticking toward chaos.
"He wants a war," Jayden said, breaking the silence. "And he's not hiding it anymore."
Dylan's eyes were fixed on a satellite image of Richard's last known compound. "Then he'll get one—but not the kind he expects."
Jayden raised a brow. "You're planning something?"
A sharp nod. "A silent sweep. We don't fight where he expects. We go under."
Just then, Sofia, one of Dylan's top informants, entered the room. "We confirmed movement near the docks. Richard's men are setting explosives at your secondary shipment line."
Jayden swore under his breath.
"I want every safehouse stripped clean," Dylan ordered. "Every route we don't use anymore should be a decoy. Let him waste his firepower."
"And Heaven?" Sofia asked gently.
Dylan froze for a second. "She stays here. No one touches her."
---
Inside the Mansion – Heaven's Room
Heaven sat by the window, looking out at the fog-shrouded gardens. The moon cast pale light over the hedges, but her mind was clouded by fear.
Dylan was hiding something again—worse than before.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock. It was Sofia.
"Can we talk?" Sofia asked gently.
Heaven nodded. "You know what's going on, don't you?"
Sofia hesitated, then sat beside her. "Richard's planning something massive. Dylan's trying to get ahead of it, but this… this could be bad."
Heaven clenched her fists. "And I just have to sit here and do nothing?"
"You're doing more than you think. You're his reason to fight smart. You keep him grounded, Heaven. That's more powerful than any gun."
Heaven's chest tightened with emotion, but she nodded.
---
Somewhere on the Docks – Midnight
The docks were nearly empty, save for the rustle of crates and the soft splash of water. Richard stood by a black SUV, watching his men set charges under the abandoned containers.
"Once this goes up, the west line crumbles," Marcus said beside him.
Richard said nothing. His eyes were on the horizon.
"Soon," he whispered. "Dylan will feel what I felt all those years. The betrayal. The loss."
Marcus glanced at him. "What if he doesn't come the way we want?"
Richard smirked darkly. "Then we go for his heart instead."
---
Back at the Mansion – Dylan's Study
Dylan sat alone, the room dimly lit by the fireplace. He held an old photograph in his hand—Samantha's smile frozen in time.
Her voice echoed in his mind.
"Move on, Dylan. Live. Don't let hatred be your legacy."
He closed his eyes, jaw tight. "I'll end this. For her. For Heaven."
Then he stood, eyes blazing with resolve.
"Prepare the Phantom Team," he told Jayden, who just walked in. "We strike before dawn."