Hope ignited in Michael’s chest as they uncovered a clear lead to Special Agent David Miller. Professor Thompson’s code on the flash drive, which pointed to a first edition of The Art of War in the Library of Congress—with an email address and a key phrase—felt like a beacon in the midst of suffocating darkness. It was a tangible path toward involving the right authorities, people like David—the kind Michael had long been searching for: those who still believed in justice and dared to swim against the tide.
Yet, beneath the flicker of optimism, a whisper of doubt slowly crept into Michael’s mind. Daniel Hayes’ betrayal still lingered like a wound that hadn’t healed. Daniel—once a trusted ally—had turned out to be the shadow architect of The Syndicate, a master deceiver who had manipulated
