The King's Sinful Obsession

Chapter 9: The Mission

It was nearly one in the morning. The lights in the penthouse living room were dimmed, casting long shadows over the maps, documents, a laptop, and several half-empty coffee cups scattered across the table. Ariyan, Raisa, Jarif, Maira, and Tasnim sat in a tight circle. Outside the door, Farhan stood guard. Mirza had departed a short while ago, leaving behind the final pieces of the puzzle.

Ariyan pointed to a 3D schematic glowing on the laptop screen. "This is the layout of my father’s office. Three guards patrol the ground floor at night. The second floor houses the CCTV control room. The main office is on the third floor. The safe is hidden there—behind a painting, recessed into the wall."

Jarif studied the map. "How many cameras are we looking at?"

"Sixteen in total. But four are dummies. The other twelve are active and recording, monitored 24/7 from the control room. There’s always one staff member on duty there."

"How do we neutralize him?" Maira asked.

"I’ll handle that," Tasnim replied firmly. "My father’s contacts will have a drink delivered to him through Farhan. It’s spiked with a sedative. Once he’s out, we move."

Raisa chimed in, "What about the guards?"

"That’s Jarif’s department," Ariyan said.

Jarif nodded, his expression grim. "I’ll take them down. No weapons—just enough to put them to sleep."

Ariyan looked at each of them, his gaze lingering on Raisa. "I’m going for the safe. Raisa, you stay behind me. The lock is biometric—it requires my father’s thumbprint."

Tasnim looked up in shock. "How do you have his print?"

Ariyan offered a cold, knowing smile. "I lifted a replica while he was sleeping. A long time ago. I knew it would come in handy eventually."

Raisa stared at him, bewildered. "You’ve been planning this for that long?"

"I always have a plan. But back then, the plan was to seize his power. Now, the plan is to expose his crimes."

The clock struck two. Ariyan stood up. "Gear up. We move at three. That’s when the guards are at their most sluggish."

The room became a blur of silent activity. Jarif checked his gear; Maira packed a small bag with essential tools; Tasnim signaled Farhan. Ariyan stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air hitting his face. Raisa followed, wrapping her arms around him from behind.

"Are you afraid?"

"No. But I am thinking."

"About what?"

"Is this right? Turning against my own father?"

Raisa turned him around, forcing him to meet her eyes. "Your father built a throne out of lies and blood. If you stay silent now, you become an accomplice to every crime he’s ever committed. The right path is rarely the easy one, Ariyan."

Ariyan kissed her forehead, a lingering, desperate touch. "I am blessed to have found you."

"And I, you."

**3:30 AM – Outside the Office**

The office sat in a quiet district, flanked by towering buildings that stood like silent sentinels in the dark. Ariyan parked the car in a distant alley. Clad in black, masked, and gloved, the group slipped out into the shadows.

Tasnim moved first. Farhan had already made the delivery; the control room operator was slumped over his desk, unconscious. Tasnim bypassed the electronic lock, and they slipped inside.

On the ground floor, three guards were stationed. One was already dozing. Jarif nodded to Maira. She stepped into the light, playing the part of a distressed passerby. "Excuse me... could I get a glass of water? I feel faint."

As one guard moved toward the water cooler, Jarif lunged from the shadows, striking a precise nerve point on his neck. The guard collapsed. Before the second could react, Ariyan delivered a lightning-fast blow to his midsection, doubling him over. Jarif finished the job, knocking him out. The third guard, still asleep, was neutralized before he could even open his eyes.

"Ten minutes," Ariyan whispered. "Let’s move."

They took the stairs to the second floor. In the control room, Tasnim worked quickly to loop the security footage. "We’re invisible now. The monitors will show a blank, empty hallway."

On the third floor, they reached the heavy office door. Ariyan peeled back his glove and pressed his thumb to the scanner. The light turned green, and the heavy door clicked open.

The office was a cavern of shadows. Ariyan clicked on a small flashlight, illuminating expensive mahogany furniture and gold-framed art. He moved to the painting on the far wall and swung it aside to reveal a small, high-tech safe. Again, he pressed his thumb to the sensor. The safe hissed open.

Inside lay stacks of documents, photographs, and several flash drives. Ariyan began stuffing them into his bag. Suddenly, a sound echoed from below. The low growl of a car engine. Footsteps.

"Someone’s here," Raisa hissed, her voice tight with panic.

Ariyan grabbed the last of the files. "Go! Down the stairs, now!"

They scrambled down the stairwell, but as they reached the lobby, they froze. Standing in their way was Sajid, backed by several police officers. And behind them sat Ariyan’s father in his wheelchair, a predatory smile on his face.

"Good work, son," his father said, his voice dripping with irony. "I knew you’d come. That’s why I changed the guards tonight. And why I invited Sajid."

Ariyan stopped dead, the bag heavy in his hand. He was surrounded. Raisa moved closer to his side; Jarif and Maira stood ready for a fight. Tasnim stepped forward, her eyes wide.

"You knew?"

"I knew everything. Your 'friend' Sajid kept me informed. Every day. Every move."

Ariyan turned to Sajid. The boy looked away, his jaw set. "I never believed you, Ariyan. You didn't change. You’re the same monster you’ve always been."

Ariyan let out a low, raspy laugh. "So, you think you won today?"

"We have won," Sajid spat. "Your father is going to hand over everything to the authorities. You’re going to prison."

The police moved in, but Ariyan tightened his grip on Raisa’s hand. There was no fear in his eyes—only a cold, calculating resolve.

"You can take me," Ariyan said, his voice echoing in the lobby. "But the evidence isn't in this bag. These are just blank papers. The real proof is already elsewhere."

His father’s smile faltered. "What are you talking about?"

"I knew Sajid was playing both sides. I knew he was reporting to you. This entire mission was a feint. I sent the real evidence to a secure location hours ago. If I’m arrested tonight, those files go straight to the media. Everyone will know who the real 'beast' is."

His father’s face turned a violent shade of red. "Police! Arrest them all!"

The officers lunged, but Ariyan raised his phone. "One more thing. This is a live feed. If anyone touches me, this video hits the news cycle instantly. Do you really want to end your career tonight, gentlemen?"

The officers hesitated, looking at each other. Even Sajid took a step back.

Ariyan began to back away toward the exit, never letting go of Raisa’s hand. Jarif, Maira, and Tasnim followed suit. "We’re leaving. Don't even think about following us."

They reached the car and tore away into the night, leaving the police and his father standing in the dust of the old life they had just destroyed.

Inside the car, a deafening silence reigned. Raisa held Ariyan’s trembling hand. Finally, Tasnim spoke. "Where is the real evidence?"

Ariyan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flash drive, a smirk playing on his lips. "Right here. I swapped it out before we left. The bag was just a prop to lure Sajid into the open."

A collective sigh of relief filled the car. Maira began to sob quietly, buried in Jarif’s shoulder.

"What now?" Raisa asked softly.

"Now, we leak the files. My father is finished," Ariyan said, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "But first... I have to save my mother."

As the car sped toward the penthouse, the horizon began to pale. A new dawn was breaking. In that light, Ariyan felt like a new man. He had stood against his own blood, against the darkness of his past—and he had emerged victorious.