Chapter 403: The smoke !!!
Thea stood near the large glass window of Horizon Biotech’s Monaco research center.
The sea stretched far into the distance.
Calm.
Bright.
Completely disconnected from the tension building inside the facility.
One of the WEB operatives stood behind her with a tablet in hand.
Thea slowly turned.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Princess."
The man brought up several surveillance images.
"Right in front of our research center."
He enlarged one of the frames.
A temporary operational base had been established in a nearby commercial building.
Vehicles had been moving in and out since early morning.
Unknown personnel.
Unknown equipment.
Unknown communications.
Thea narrowed her eyes.
"Who are they?"
"We don’t know."
The operative looked frustrated.
"I think they are the same people who extracted the Prince of Monaco."
Thea’s expression immediately hardened.
"Do we have faces?"
"Yes."
He swiped through the images.
Several clear photographs appeared.
Different men.
Different women.
None familiar.
Thea looked at each carefully.
"No database matches?"
"Nothing."
"Mercenary records?"
"No."
"Intelligence?"
"No."
"Criminal organizations?"
"Nothing."
The man shook his head.
"All of them are unknown."
Thea’s fingers slowly tightened.
That bothered her more than if she had recognized them.
Unknown people were dangerous.
Unknown professionals were worse.
Before she could ask another question, a second operative hurried into the room.
"Princess."
Thea turned.
"You should look at the news."
Her expression sharpened.
"What is it?"
The man immediately picked up the remote.
The television on the wall switched on.
A news anchor appeared on the screen.
A red banner ran below.
Thea stared.
The anchor began speaking.
"The latest development comes directly from the official social media handle of the Prince of Monaco."
Thea’s face changed instantly.
The operative beside her looked toward her.
The anchor continued.
"The Prince has announced that a major press conference will be held later today at the Ministry of State."
Thea clenched her fist.
The anchor looked down at the notes.
"The press conference will also be joined by representatives from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces."
Thea’s eyes narrowed.
"France too..."
The anchor continued.
"The subject of the press conference has not yet been officially disclosed."
A graphic appeared on the screen.
The Prince’s official statement.
"But according to the statement released by the Palace, the matter will be of major national importance."
Another line appeared.
"All citizens have been requested to watch the address live."
Thea stared at the screen.
Her jaw tightened.
"Damn."
One of the men asked,
"Princess?"
Before she could answer...
Her phone buzzed.
Thea looked down.
Father.
She accepted immediately.
"Father."
Bjorn’s voice came through without greeting.
"Make sure that press conference never happens."
Thea’s expression became cold.
Bjorn continued.
"Thea, listen carefully."
"If we lose Monaco..."
His voice hardened.
"...we will have no choice but to rely on brute force in several other regions."
Thea remained silent.
Bjorn continued.
"We cannot allow years of planning to collapse because one Prince suddenly decided to grow a spine."
Thea looked toward the television.
The press conference announcement replayed.
Bjorn’s voice became heavier.
"Monaco is very important."
"Financially."
"Politically."
"Strategically."
"Everything we have built there depends on control of the Palace."
Thea closed her eyes.
Bjorn continued.
"Grab the collar of the Prince at any cost."
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
"I understand, Father."
"You already have a lead?"
"Yes."
Thea looked toward the images of the unknown operatives.
"We have located the people who may have extracted him."
Bjorn immediately replied,
"Good."
Thea continued.
"I’ll handle it."
A pause.
"I won’t let the press conference happen."
Bjorn’s voice softened slightly.
"That’s my daughter."
Thea said nothing.
The call ended.
She slowly lowered the phone.
For a few seconds...
The room remained silent.
Then Thea turned.
Her expression had completely changed.
"Surround the press conference venue."
The operative straightened.
"Princess?"
"Every entry route."
"Main roads."
"Service roads."
"Parking access."
"Government tunnels."
"Emergency exits."
Thea pointed toward the map.
"Cover the entire area."
The man immediately started taking notes.
"Alert our people already planted inside the Ministry of State security."
"Tell them to stay dormant until I give the order."
"Copy that."
He rushed from the room.
Thea turned toward the first operative.
"How many people are inside the base across from us?"
"Only Five were spotted."
Thea looked at him.
"Five?"
"Yes."
"Confirmed?"
"As far as surveillance shows."
Thea thought for only a moment.
Then made the decision.
"That’s it."
The man looked toward her.
"We’re attacking."
His expression sharpened.
Thea walked toward the weapons table.
"Get everyone into gear."
She picked up a tactical vest.
"We’re smoking the neighbors."
The man smiled faintly.
Thea continued.
"Find the blind spots first."
"No unnecessary gunfire."
"No civilians involved."
"No mistakes."
She looked directly at him.
"I want this smooth."
"Fast."
"Quiet."
"No complications."
The operative nodded.
"Understood, Princess."
...
Inside the temporary base across from Horizon Biotech...
The atmosphere couldn’t have been more different.
Darius stood over a digital map.
Reina sat nearby with her arms folded.
Ren was drinking soda.
Marina was checking weapons.
Aerin stood in front of a portable equipment station looking increasingly suspicious of everyone around her.
Darius looked toward the map.
"What do you think?"
Reina glanced at him.
"What?"
Darius pointed toward Horizon Biotech.
"The setup."
Reina stared at him for a second.
Then sighed.
"You should have arranged eyes inside."
Darius frowned.
Reina continued.
"All brawn."
She tapped the side of her head.
"No brain."
Ren nearly spat his soda.
"Pfft..."
Darius turned immediately.
"Stop drinking soda all the time, you."
Ren wiped his mouth.
"What did I do?"
"You are enjoying this."
"I enjoy many things."
Marina looked over.
"Why are you getting angry at him?"
Darius sighed.
Marina continued calmly.
"You’re the one in charge here."
She looked toward Horizon Biotech through the distant window.
"We do need eyes inside the base."
Her expression became serious.
"That person is very important to Leader."
Ren raised one finger.
"Don’t worry."
Everyone looked toward him.
He smiled proudly.
"Our Aerin is ready."
Aerin immediately turned.
"What?"
Ren ignored her.
"You’ve all seen my disguise skills when I use them on myself."
He placed his soda down dramatically.
"But this..."
He pointed toward Aerin.
"...will be art."
Aerin’s eyes narrowed.
"What are you planning to do to my face?"
Ren smiled.
"Nothing permanent."
Aerin immediately replied,
"If my skin gets damaged, I get rashes."
Ren froze.
She stepped closer.
"If I get a rash because of your chemicals..."
Her smile became dangerous.
"I promise you’ll have to live in disguise for the rest of your life."
Reina nodded seriously.
"Correct."
She looked toward Ren.
"She is the prettiest among us."
Aerin looked at her.
Reina continued.
"So don’t you dare mess her up."
Ren looked offended.
"Are you doubting my skills?"
Marina didn’t even look up.
"Yes."
Ren stared at her.
Then toward Reina.
Then toward Aerin.
"Unbelievable."
A soft beep suddenly came from the machine behind him.
Ren’s expression immediately brightened.
He turned.
"Oh."
He walked over.
Then lifted a thin sheet from the device.
"My dear Aerin..."
Aerin looked suspicious.
Ren smiled proudly.
"Your tattoos are ready."
Aerin stared.
"Why do I have to do this?"
Darius finally interrupted.
"Enough."
Everyone became slightly quieter.
He looked around.
"Get serious."
Ren picked up his soda again.
Darius pointed at him.
"Especially you."
Ren slowly lowered it.
Darius continued.
"If we mess this up..."
His expression became grim.
"...Leader will be upset."
Silence.
Then he added,
"And if Leader is upset..."
Marina immediately understood.
"We might have to face Clan Supreme."
Ren’s expression changed.
Aerin sighed.
Reina slowly nodded.
Darius continued.
"I don’t want to witness that."
Marina suddenly looked thoughtful.
"I feel bad for Clan Supreme."
Darius turned.
"What?"
Marina smiled faintly.
"She really wanted to marry Leader."
Ren’s ears immediately perked up.
Reina looked amused.
Marina continued.
"I wonder if she still loves him."
Darius closed his eyes.
"Why are we discussing this now?"
Ren grinned.
"This is important strategic information."
Darius opened his eyes.
"Ren."
Ren raised both hands.
"Aye aye, Captain."
Then he immediately turned toward Aerin.
"Everyone watch me transform Aerin."
Reina stood instantly.
"Get the hell out."
Ren froze.
"What?"
"You too, Darius."
Darius pointed toward himself.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Reina crossed her arms.
"She needs to change first."
Ren sighed dramatically.
Marina turned toward him.
"What are you sighing for?"
Ren looked away.
Marina smiled.
"I’ll tell Clan Supreme you’re a pervert."
Ren’s eyes widened.
"Hey."
He immediately grabbed Darius’ arm.
"Okay, okay."
"We’re leaving."
He started pulling him away.
"Darius, let’s go."
Aerin called from behind.
"Take your soda."
Ren stopped.
Turned.
Grabbed it.
Then looked toward the ceiling.
"Save me, Clan Supreme."
He pointed toward the women.
"They are dangerous."
Marina threw a cloth toward him.
"Get lost."
Ren disappeared through the door.
...
Winslow Estate
Mountain City, Belvoir
Haven
The afternoon sun covered the garden in warm light.
Ivy sat comfortably near the edge of a stone fountain.
Olivia Winslow stood nearby, holding a cup of tea.
Ivy stared at her for a suspiciously long time.
Olivia finally noticed.
"What?"
Ivy smiled.
"Big Sister Olivia."
Olivia immediately became cautious.
"What is it?"
Ivy leaned closer.
"Do you have a boyfriend in Star Harbor?"
Olivia almost choked.
"What?"
Ivy looked completely serious.
"Do you?"
"What kind of question is that?"
Ivy smiled mischievously.
"You are very pretty."
Olivia stared at her.
Ivy continued.
"And you’re a professor."
"A pretty professor."
Olivia’s cheeks became slightly red.
"So?"
Ivy grinned.
"I can guarantee lots of students have crushes on you."
Olivia immediately waved her hand.
"What are you saying, you little..."
She stopped herself.
"There is absolutely no way that’s true."
Ivy shook her head like an experienced elder.
"You definitely don’t know."
Olivia stared.
"Know what?"
"Nothing."
Ivy smiled innocently.
Olivia narrowed her eyes.
Then counterattacked.
"What about you?"
Ivy blinked.
"Me?"
"Do you have a crush on someone at school?"
Ivy immediately shook her head.
"No."
"Nobody?"
"No."
She frowned.
"All the boys are troublemakers."
Olivia laughed.
"All of them?"
"Most."
Ivy looked completely convinced.
Olivia sat beside her.
"Then tell me."
Ivy looked over.
"What kind of boys do you like?"
Ivy immediately became embarrassed.
"I don’t know."
Olivia smiled.
"Come on."
"Big Sister..."
Their conversation continued peacefully.
Neither of them noticed the two men observing from a distant building.
...
The room was dark.
Curtains covered most of the windows.
Two men stood beside a small opening.
Binoculars aimed toward the Winslow Estate.
One of them adjusted the focus.
"As always..."
He looked toward Ivy.
"She’s here this week too."
The second man moved closer.
"Who’s the woman with her?"
The first man lowered the binoculars slightly.
"Olivia Winslow."
"Who?"
"The eldest daughter."
He looked again.
"Heir to the Winslow family."
The second man nodded slowly.
"Oh."
"That’s her."
He thought for a second.
"Wasn’t she in Star Harbor?"
"She returned."
The first man continued watching.
"Still..."
His expression became slightly uneasy.
"One member of the family is missing."
The second man looked toward him.
"Who?"
"Someone we haven’t been able to locate."
He shifted his binoculars.
"There is also an old man connected to them."
The second man frowned.
"Old man?"
"Yes."
"He is way too suspicious."
"Why?"
"We couldn’t find any useful record of him before he married into the Winslow family."
The second man looked interested.
"No history?"
"Almost nothing."
"Military?"
"Unknown."
"Government?"
"Unknown."
"Underworld?"
"Nothing confirmed."
The first man frowned.
"But something about him feels wrong."
The second man laughed quietly.
"Wrong?"
"His eyes."
"What about them?"
The first man’s expression tightened.
"They look familiar."
The second man became more serious.
"Did Boss give us anything?"
"No."
The first man lowered the binoculars.
"For seven years he couldn’t figure out how that little brat Ivy ended up in Haven."
"He thinks the Winslow family is irrelevant."
The second man shrugged.
"Maybe they are."
The first man shook his head.
"I don’t think so."
He looked toward the estate again.
"That old man is dangerous."
The second man raised an eyebrow.
"Did you tell Boss?"
The first man stared at him.
"Do you want to die?"
"What?"
"You want me to waste his time with theories?"
The second man smiled awkwardly.
"Fair."
Suddenly...
The first man noticed movement.
"Look."
"What?"
"Another woman."
The second man immediately raised his binoculars.
"Who is that?"
Before the first man could answer...
A calm voice came from behind them.
"You don’t deserve to know."
Both men froze.
Their eyes met.
Then they turned at the same time.
Guns came out instantly.
They pointed behind them.
Ken stood there.
A faint smile on his face.
His katana was already drawn.
Neither side spoke.
The room became silent.
Then...
Movement.
Fast.
Sharp.
Barely visible.
A few seconds later...
Blood touched the floor.
Ken slowly straightened.
The two men collapsed behind him.
He looked at the blade.
Then calmly wiped the katana clean.
Ken pressed a button on his earpiece.
"Clan Supreme."
Clarissa answered immediately.
"Report."
"This watcher has eliminated the spies."
There was no reaction in Clarissa’s voice.
"Great work, Captain Ken."
Ken looked toward the bodies.
Clarissa continued.
"Take their communication devices."
"Phones."
"Transmitters."
"Everything."
Ken nodded.
"Understood."
"Make sure Bjorn never realizes his eyes are gone."
Ken smiled.
"Copy that."
...
Back inside the Winslow Estate...
Ivy suddenly noticed the woman approaching.
She tilted her head.
"Who are you, Sister?"
Olivia turned.
The moment she saw the newcomer...
Her expression changed.
"Clarissa?"
Clarissa smiled.
"What a surprise."
Olivia stood.
"What are you doing here?"
Clarissa walked closer.
"Hello, Olivia."
Then she smiled innocently.
"Sorry for coming without an invitation."
Olivia looked amused.
"You could have called."
"I know."
Clarissa looked around the estate.
"I needed a vacation."
Olivia raised an eyebrow.
"A vacation?"
Clarissa nodded.
"Miles suggested this place."
Then she smiled warmly.
"I would love to host you."
Ivy looked between them.
"Your friend?"
Olivia nodded.
"Yes."
She gestured toward Clarissa.
"Meet Sister Clarissa."
Ivy immediately smiled.
Olivia continued.
"She’s a professional martial artist."
Ivy’s eyes widened.
"Really?"
Clarissa laughed.
"That’s one way to describe it."
Ivy stood immediately.
She looked Clarissa up and down.
"You look pretty."
Clarissa smiled.
"Thank you."
"And strong."
Clarissa laughed again.
"Also thank you."
Ivy stepped closer.
"Will you teach me martial arts?"
Clarissa raised an eyebrow.
"Martial arts?"
Ivy nodded quickly.
"Grandpa and Big Sister Olivia never teach me."
Olivia immediately protested.
"Because Grandpa doesn’t want you breaking furniture."
Ivy ignored her.
Clarissa crouched slightly so they were closer in height.
"You know something?"
Ivy listened carefully.
"Martial arts are meant for protecting."
Ivy nodded.
Clarissa smiled gently.
"So..."
"Who do you want to protect?"
Ivy didn’t hesitate.
"My sister."
Clarissa’s smile slowly softened.
"Thea?"
Ivy nodded.
"I want to protect Sister Thea."
Her expression became sad.
"And bring her home."
Clarissa became quiet.
Ivy continued.
"I miss her badly."
The words hit harder than Clarissa expected.
For several seconds, she simply looked at the girl.
Then she smiled.
"Alright."
Ivy’s eyes brightened.
"You’ll teach me?"
"Yes."
Clarissa raised one finger.
"But you have to promise me something."
Ivy immediately nodded.
"What?"
"You only protect her..."
Clarissa gently tapped her forehead.
"...after she comes home."
Ivy’s smile slowly disappeared.
She looked down.
"I don’t know when she’s coming."
Clarissa watched her.
Then answered quietly,
"Soon."
Ivy looked up.
"What?"
Clarissa smiled.
"She’s coming soon."
Ivy stared at her.
Clarissa continued.
"The strongest people from my family..."
Her eyes became confident.
"...are already there."
"They’re going to bring your sister back."
Ivy’s eyes widened.
"Really?"
Olivia immediately looked toward Clarissa.
Her expression changed.
"What is this about?"
Clarissa stood.
Then looked at Olivia.
A small smile appeared.
"We should prepare a welcome gift."
Olivia stared.
Clarissa looked toward Ivy.
"Her sister is returning home."