A few days after returning home, Clara received another message—this time, a video. It showed the community center they were building, engulfed in flames. A voiceover said: "This is what happens when you defy the Council. Surrender control of the city within a week, or everyone you care about will die."
Clara's hands shook as she watched the video. "They're not just targeting us—they're targeting everything we've built."
Enzo slammed his fist on the table. "We can't let them get away with this."
"We won't," Clara said, her voice steady. "But we need a plan. The Council is powerful—we can't fight them head-on."
Marco joined them, along with Detective Chen. "I've been doing some digging," Chen said. "The Council has ties to politicians, judges, even some high-ranking police officers. They have eyes and ears everywhere."
"Which means we need to be smart," Marco said. "We'll use their own network against them. My contacts can feed them false information, make them think we're planning to surrender. Then, when they gather to take control of the city, we'll strike."
Over the next few days, they put their plan into action. They spread rumors that Clara was ready to step down, that the families were in disarray. The Council took the bait—they announced they would be holding a meeting in the city in three days to take over.
On the night of the meeting, Clara and her forces gathered at an abandoned warehouse across from the Council's meeting place. Isabella and her snipers took positions on nearby rooftops, while Enzo and his men blocked all escape routes. Marco and Detective Chen were inside, posing as Council members.
As the Council leaders arrived, Clara watched from the warehouse. There were five of them—all wealthy, powerful, and completely ruthless. They took their seats at a large table, laughing and talking about how easy it had been to manipulate the city.
Then, Marco stood up. "You're not the only ones who can play games," he said, pulling out a gun.
At that signal, Isabella's snipers took out the Council's bodyguards, while Enzo's men moved in to surround the building. Clara led her team inside, and within minutes, the Council was in custody.
As the police arrived to take them away, Detective Chen looked at Clara. "You did it," he said. "You took down the most powerful crime organization in the country."
Clara shook her head. "We did it," she said. "Together."