Joseph and Maïck arrived at the warehouse, where Otto was waiting for them.
Otto: You're actually on time for once.
Maïck smirked, knowing that comment was aimed at him.
Soon, Kim and Melvine joined them.
Kim: I hesitated to come. I'm starting to think this might be too risky.
Otto: Come on, of course not. If it's risky, that just means we've got nothing to lose.
Melvine: Enough talking. I didn't come here to chit-chat. I came for the money. Let's move.
Joseph clenched his jaw at Melvine's arrogant tone.
Kim: There's no point rushing in. We should stick to a well-thought-out plan, right Otto?
Otto: Yeah, Kim's right. Let's make sure everything's tight.
Melvine: If we don't go now, we'll miss our only shot. That emerald's only here for a limited-time exhibition, and today's the last day. After this, it gets moved.
Melvine: We already have a plan, no need to change it now. Sticking to it gives us the element of surprise, right?
Kim: Are you serious...?
Melvine cut her off before she could finish.
Melvine: Shut it, princess.
A heated argument broke out between Kim and Melvine.
The noise of a passing truck briefly interrupted the tension.
Maïck: Stop arguing. You're giving me a headache. Look, it's simple—if you want to spend more time planning, step forward.
Kim, Otto, and Joseph all took a step forward.
Melvine: Fine, I'm listening.
They gathered around a makeshift table, spreading out the plans. Otto took the lead.
Otto: Based on the intel we have, it's better if we hit the place during the day.
Joseph: Seriously? While kids are eating at the fast-food joint next door?
Maïck: That's exactly why. No one expects a robbery in broad daylight. And the security's more relaxed in the afternoon.
Maïck: Fewer patrols too, almost none at that time.
Joseph stayed quiet, still processing.
Otto walked up with the layout of the jewelry store.
Otto: It's a small shop, not heavily guarded, but it's connected to a back storage area. Ever since the emerald arrived, police checks have increased.
Joseph: Still, isn't it strange that a regular jewelry store gets to display such a rare gem?
Melvine: The mayor's idea. Boost local tourism, he says.
Joseph: Yeah, but still… Why not put it in the city museum?
Maïck: Whatever. We'll go in through the maintenance room in the back.
Joseph: What about the alarms?
Otto: They'll be cut from the inside. We also have the access codes to the vault.
Kim: How'd you get those?
Otto: Let's just say someone owed me.
Kim: You really think this will work?
Joseph: Yeah. I trust Maïck and Otto.
Maïck: We'll have fifteen minutes before the guards rotate.
Otto: If we're not out by then… we're dead.
Kim: That's all theory. We should plan for a little more buffer, just in case.
Melvine: Then we cut it down to eight minutes.
Maïck: Fine. If everyone agrees, we move tomorrow.
Joseph: In that case… let's go home and prepare.
Each of them left, heading their separate ways.
Tomorrow, everything would begin.