The dim light in Julian’s office highlighted the lines of tension etched into his face as he leaned over the sprawling map pinned to the table. Red threads connected names, corporations, and accounts, forming the web of Alastair’s Shadow Network. Madeline stood beside him, her arms crossed, her keen eyes following the connections.
“If we’re going to dismantle Alastair’s empire, we start here,” Julian said, his finger tracing the thread leading to a financial firm at the center.
“That’s not enough,” Madeline interjected, her voice sharp with determination. “If we dismantle it quietly, someone else could rebuild it. We need to expose everything. Burn it to the ground.”
Julian’s lips twitched into a grim smile. “Not just expose it—obliterate it. And for that, we’ll need the best.”
Julian’
