"That is why I'm going to strike first, then soothe him after," Luis said lazily, twirling the glass between his fingers.
"He borrowed nearly a billion. Tsk… we'll make him choke. Tell Frank to destroy all his shipments. When he crawls back, I'll cut half of his debt—just enough for him to hand me five percent of his company. That's all I need."
Neo laughed softly, the sound low and amused. "You'll 'cut' half, but make him pay double without realizing… right?"
"Of course." Luis smiled faintly. "Do I look like a savior? Ownership requires persuasion first."
He pulled out his phone and made a call.
In a quiet apartment across the city, Asher sat lazily on his couch, controller in hand, eyes fixed on the flashing screen. Suddenly, his phone went dark. The game froze. A faint blue glow pulsed across the screen.
Asher sighed.
He tapped the blue icon and placed the phone face‑down on the table.
"Why are you calling?" Asher asked coldly.
"Oh? Is that how you greet a friend?" the voice on the other side replied playfully. "You break my heart. I missed you."
"I told you not to contact me anymore. I quit. Why are you so stubborn? Is your Black Cat organization really that free? Should I give you something to keep you busy?" Asher said flatly.
A soft chuckle came through the line. "I love it when you threaten me. It takes me back… such nostalgic memories."
A pause. Then the voice brightened.
"Anyway, I called for something else. I'll transfer eighty million to you. And every month after that, the same amount—if you do one thing for me."
Asher's fingers stilled.
"Which country or organization are you targeting this time?" he asked calmly. "Mass destruction? Or something worse?"
A dramatic sigh came from the other end. "I just got discharged from the mental hospital. I'm not crazy anymore. I can't even kill an ant now… talk less of a human."
"It seems lying has become a habit for you," Asher replied dryly.
"I'm offering you a huge amount. Isn't your curiosity strong enough to ask more questions?" the voice teased.
"Curiosity kills the cat. Ever heard of that?" Asher said.
"Kill the cat? What a sinful phrase. I would never kill a cat. I love cats—that's why my organization is called Black Cat. I almost named it Pink Cat once… but people found it strange."
Asher rubbed his forehead, already feeling a headache forming.
"Why don't you ask Z to help you instead?" he said.
Luis glanced at Neo—whose codename was Z, a name he picked simply because he liked the letter. Luis smiled faintly.
"He's busy," Luis said calmly. "He's currently gathering information on a man named Asher."
On the other end of the line, Asher's relaxed posture vanished. He slowly straightened, eyes narrowing.
"You're looking for someone named Asher?" he asked evenly. "Why?"
"Oh? Now you're curious?" Owl teased.
"When I offered you eighty million, you were cold. You really hurt me, you know."
Silence.
Owl laughed softly.
"Fine. A girl wants everything about this man—Asher. He's supposedly an illegitimate child. She wants his full background, his real family, and all the dirt tied to them. Probably planning to use it to crush him… or erase him. Maybe he offended her. Who knows? I don't care. I'm just getting paid to find information."
Asher closed his eyes briefly.
A memory flashed—
The school trip.
Mia secretly eavesdropping.
Her cold gaze.
Her conclusion: He was illegitimate.
Damn…Asher thought. That crazy woman really knows how to test my patience.
"Good luck with your investigation," Asher said calmly, voice steady.
"Anyway," Owl continued lightly, "about my offer. Interested?"
"Sure. Whatever," Asher replied.
He tapped his phone once. The blue glow disappeared. The device returned to normal as if nothing had happened.
Asher leaned back into the couch and resumed his game, expression indifferent.
Even if they discovered "Asher," they would never figure out he is shadow no one would.
Just like the call that hacked his phone could never be traced…
No matter how deeply they searched,
no matter how skilled the hacker—
They would never find his location and neither can he find theirs.
"So… how did it go? Did he agree?" Neo asked, glancing up from his laptop.
Luis placed his phone on the table, completely relaxed.
"Why wouldn't he? I'm very persuasive when I want to be. And it's money — who says no to money?"
Neo snorted while typing rapidly.
"Everyone would say no if they actually heard your plan."
"Shut up and focus on your job," Luis replied lazily as he stood.
Neo finally looked up, smiling faintly.
"Where are you going now? Whoever you're visiting is about to receive terrible luck."
Luis grabbed his jacket.
"You'll be the one receiving bad luck if you don't shut up. I'm going to watch some drama. A man needs entertainment."
With that, he left the underground gun arena.
Meanwhile
Aria's phone rang just as she stepped toward her car.
"Ma'am, the plan is working," her assistant reported immediately. "Miss Mary has already married Chen Yuluan."
Aria paused mid-movement.
"What?Who are those people?"
"Miss Mary — your father's former secretary, the supposed mistress. Chen Yuluan was the one who planted her in your father's company as a spy. They were also responsible for your parents' accident."
Aria's eyes darkened as memories resurfaced.
"You instructed us to use her as bait," the assistant continued. "We drugged and psychologically conditioned her as ordered. She's now acting against the Chen family while unknowingly attacking your father's remaining rivals."
"Oh… her." Aria finally remembered. "Wasn't she thrown away by Chen Yuluan after trying to blackmail me?"
"Yes, ma'am. Now every company believes the Chen family is behind the attacks. All spies inside your father's corporation are feeding false project data back to them."
"And they're swallowing it?" Aria asked calmly.
"Yes. We're only waiting for your signal."
Aria started her sports car.
"Wait," she said simply before ending the call.
The moment Aria stepped into the villa, bass-heavy music vibrated through the marble floors, travelling up her legs like a living pulse.
She didn't hesitate.
Upstairs, she stripped out of her clothes and slipped into a midnight-blue bikini — silk smooth against her skin.
The top hugged her curves perfectly, thin straps crossing behind her back while the low-cut design left just enough to provoke imagination.
The matching bottoms rested dangerously on her hips, long legs exposed as she wrapped a sheer white shawl loosely around her waist.
Not modest.
Just intentional.
By the time she pushed open the glass doors leading to the poolside, warm night air mixed with laughter, alcohol, and grilled meat hit her all at once.
The villa looked less like a home and more like a private summer festival.
Colored lights reflected across the massive infinity pool, turning the water shades of neon blue and violet. Flames from decorative torches flickered along the edges while city lights stretched endlessly beyond the cliffside view.
At the center—
Milo owned the atmosphere.
Shirtless, headphones hanging around his neck, he stood behind the DJ console wearing nothing but loose summer shorts riding low on his hips. Sweat glistened across his toned chest as music blasted from towering speakers.
Two girls danced shamelessly in front of him, cropped demi-shorts barely covering lace bras as they moved with the rhythm, hair flying, laughter careless and loud.
Inside the pool, Rose floated like she belonged on a magazine cover. Her red two-piece bikini clung perfectly to her figure, water sliding down her shoulders as she leaned against the pool edge, completely aware of every eye drifting toward her.
Beside her, Daisy moved more subtly — her black backless one-piece elegant yet dangerously attractive, exposing the smooth curve of her spine whenever she turned.
Smoke curled from the barbecue corner where Prim stood like a relaxed king of chaos. Shirtless, joggers hanging loosely on his waist, tongs spinning lazily in his hand as meat sizzled over open flames.
The scent of grilled ribs and spices filled the air while he ignored the girls occasionally trying to distract him.
Near the pool table, Vikey and Amos continued their snooker game despite the madness around them.
Bottles of whiskey and half-filled glasses crowded the small table nearby. Vikey, dressed in a casual pool outfit, lined up his shot with ridiculous seriousness while Amos laughed, already slightly drunk.
On the lounge side—
Andrew sat comfortably as if the party existed solely for his entertainment.
Shirtless in black joggers, one girl straddled his lap while another leaned against his shoulder. Lips brushed, laughter mixed, bodies moving without restraint.
Daniel sat beside him, calmer but no less dangerous, swirling liquor inside his glass. His white shirt hung open at the collar, sleeves rolled lazily while six girls danced nearby, their bikinis glittering under the lights, movements bold and provocative as music thundered around them.
And then—
Michael.
The only calm point in absolute chaos.
Fully clothed.
A long blue pool short reached his knees, matching button shirt neatly worn as he sat on the outdoor couch, completely detached from temptation and noise. His attention stayed fixed on his phone as he texted Winter, expression indifferent to the party unfolding meters away.
Like a monk accidentally dropped into sin.
Ava entered.
Ava walked straight toward the poolside bar, completely ignoring the chaos around her.
The bartender already knew better than to ask questions.
Within seconds, a crystal glass slid toward her — deep amber cocktail, ice clinking softly under the villa lights.
She took it and moved toward the lounge couch, crossing one leg over the other as she settled comfortably.
Her gaze landed on Michael.
Still staring at his phone.
Still typing.
Still completely disconnected from half-naked women, loud music, and temptation surrounding him.
Her eyebrow lifted.
"I have never seen Michael this seriously invested in anything before."
Michael only smirked, eyes never leaving his screen.
Andrew burst into laughter from across the couch.
"He's in love," he announced lazily. "And currently chasing the girl."
The girl sitting comfortably on Andrew's lap pouted, tracing a finger down his chest.
"Baby, why don't you chase me instead? That sounds more fun."
Andrew chuckled, completely unbothered.
"Why chase," he said smoothly, "when all I need to do is snap my fingers and you'll already be in my bed? I don't chase what is already available and If it is not easy I Walk away "
The girl gasped while the others laughed.
At the pool edge, Rose pushed wet hair behind her shoulder, water sliding down her red bikini as she leaned back against the tiles.
"Tsk. Give it one week," she said confidently.
"He's only interested because she's resisting."
Michael finally looked up.
A slow smile appeared.
"Then prepare the money," he said calmly.
"Because I actually like her."
Daniel, lounging nearby, took a slow sip of his drink.
A dangerous smile curved his lips as he pulled one of the girls closer, guiding her onto his lap.
"In love…" he murmured, tasting the words like amusement.
His tongue pressed lightly against his inner cheek before he laughed softly.
"Good luck with that."
He kissed the girl lazily, completely entertained.
Michael shot him a side glance before rolling his eyes and locking his phone.
"Alright," he announced, standing. "Let's spice things up. Change location."
Ava leaned deeper into the couch as her cocktail arrived.
"I'm not changing out of my bikini," she said with a shrug.
Perfectly serious.
Vikey snapped his fingers immediately.
"Good. Then this is the perfect chance to show off my new yacht."
"Food first," Amos interrupted wisely.
Right on cue, Prim arrived carrying a massive tray stacked with barbecue chicken wings dripping in sauce.
Rose and Daisy climbed out of the pool instantly.
Big mistake.
The tray was empty in less than a minute.
Prim stared at the clean plate in disbelief.
"The fuck?!"
He hadn't even tasted his own cooking.
"Let's go, ladies," Milo laughed, arms already wrapped around two girls feeding him chicken as they walked away.
Daisy stole Milo's oversized shirt and pulled it over her bikini while Rose didn't bother covering up at all.
Vikey, Andrew, and Amos pretended not to hear Prim's suffering as they headed toward the exit with the other ladies.
Ava deliberately grabbed the last chicken wing, took an exaggerated bite directly in front of Prim, and laughed as she walked past him.
"Move your miserable self," she called. "You're driving, baby twin."
Prim looked personally betrayed.
He turned slowly toward Michael who held with Three barbeque with exaggerated puppy eyes.
Michael chuckled and handed him one remaining wing.
Prim leaned forward—
and stole it directly from Michael's fingers with his mouth before walking off proudly.
"Savage," Ava muttered.
Daniel was still seated, completely occupied, the girl wrapped around him as she kissed along his neck.
"Aren't you coming?" Michael asked.
"I'll pass," Daniel replied lazily.
Michael stared.
Daniel ignored him and continued kissing the girl.
A second later—
Splash.
" The fuck" the girl yelled.
Michael pushed the girl straight into the pool.
"Sorry," he said with a grin. "I need him."
He grabbed Daniel by the collar and dragged him away.
Daniel rolled his eyes but calmly caught Michael wrist , leaning in to steal a bite from the two his lip brushing lightly against Michael finger.
Then—
Michael's phone buzzed.
Winter: I'm free.
His eyes widened instantly.
He started typing—
when warm breath brushed his neck.
Daniel leaned close behind him, voice low.
"You interrupted me getting laid…" he murmured.
"…just to abandon me for another girl?"
Michael froze.
Daniel tilted his head slightly, whispering near his ear.
"Michael… do you want to die?"
A chill ran down his spine.
Michael stepped aside awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I just wanted to reply—"
But Daniel had already walked ahead.