Chapter 404: Honeymoon???
Ren stood in the center of the room with both arms stretched dramatically.
Everyone else stared at him.
Aerin was still behind the closed door.
Ren grinned.
"Time for the grand reveal."
Darius sighed.
"Ren..."
"Three."
Marina folded her arms.
"Two."
Reina already looked impatient.
"One."
The door opened.
Aerin stepped inside.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Everyone’s eyes widened.
Even Darius, who had seen far stranger things in his life, remained speechless.
Aerin no longer looked like herself.
Her facial structure seemed different.
The shape of her jaw.
Her nose.
Her eyebrows.
Even the tone and texture of her skin had been adjusted.
The prosthetics were subtle enough that no one would notice unless they already knew what to look for.
Her hair was different too.
Then came the tattoos.
WEB markings.
Placed carefully.
Matching the patterns they had already studied from operatives inside Horizon Biotech.
Marina slowly lowered her arms.
"Damn."
Ren’s smile became wider.
Marina stepped closer to inspect Aerin’s face.
"Ren..."
She looked genuinely impressed.
"How did you achieve this?"
She moved around Aerin.
"It looks perfect."
Darius nodded slowly.
"I knew the Raiju Clan had disguise techniques."
He looked toward Ren.
"But I never knew the art could reach this level."
Ren proudly placed his hands on his waist.
"Finally."
He looked toward the ceiling.
"Someone appreciates genius."
Aerin glared at him.
"Do you want me to remove your genius from your head?"
Ren immediately became quiet.
Aerin touched her cheek carefully.
"It’s heavy."
She frowned.
"Prosthetics."
"Makeup."
"Adhesives."
"These tattoos."
She looked toward Darius.
"For how long do I need to stay like this?"
Darius’ expression became serious.
"As long as possible."
Aerin’s face fell.
Darius continued.
"This time we aren’t going in for a quick look."
He pointed toward the digital layout of Horizon Biotech.
"We are infiltrating."
"We need information."
"Names."
"Communications."
"Plans."
"Routes."
"Everything."
His finger moved through the map.
"And we’re going to play along for as long as we can."
Aerin sighed.
"So basically..."
"We become them."
"Exactly."
Ren suddenly raised his hand.
"Don’t worry."
Aerin immediately turned suspiciously.
Ren smiled.
"I’m going inside with you."
Aerin stared.
Then quietly said,
"That’s what I’m worried about."
Marina laughed.
Ren looked offended.
"Why does nobody trust me?"
Reina stepped between them.
"Enough."
She looked toward everyone.
"Let’s prepare."
Darius nodded.
"Yes."
He reached toward the table.
"Let’s..."
Something struck the floor.
Clink.
Everyone froze.
A small cylindrical object rolled between them.
Smoke grenade.
Darius’ eyes widened.
"Move!"
The room exploded into chaos.
Thick smoke erupted instantly.
White clouds swallowed the entire space.
Visibility disappeared.
Shadows moved.
Footsteps.
Someone slammed into a chair.
Another object fell.
A door burst open.
Then...
Silence.
Just as suddenly as the chaos had started...
The footsteps disappeared.
...
A few seconds later, Thea rushed inside with several armed WEB operatives behind her.
Her weapon was raised.
Her eyes moved through the smoke.
"Damn."
She stepped forward.
"They were here."
The operatives spread out.
Thea looked around.
"Literally seconds ago."
She moved toward the other side of the room.
"How can they just disappear?"
One man checked the hallway.
"No movement."
Thea’s expression darkened.
"Search the building."
She turned sharply.
"Every floor."
"Every exit."
"Every ventilation route."
"The roof."
"The basement."
"Parking."
She pointed toward the men.
"I don’t want them escaping."
"Copy that."
The team moved immediately.
"Everyone, move!"
Boots thundered through the corridors.
Doors were opened.
Rooms cleared.
Stairs checked.
The entire temporary building became active.
Thea personally moved through several rooms.
Nothing.
One minute.
Five.
Ten.
Still nothing.
Eventually one operative returned.
He looked frustrated.
"Princess."
Thea turned.
"We missed them."
Her expression became cold.
The man continued.
"Nothing on the roof."
"Nothing in the stairwell."
"No vehicles leaving."
"We checked the basement."
"Nothing."
Thea walked toward the nearest window.
Then suddenly slapped her palm against the glass.
"Damn."
The sound echoed through the room.
"How can this happen?"
She looked toward the neighboring Horizon facility.
Then back toward the empty building.
"They don’t just disappear."
The operative hesitated.
"Princess."
"What?"
"We found something."
Thea turned immediately.
"What?"
He extended one hand.
Something small rested on his palm.
Thea took it.
A plastic cup lid.
She frowned.
"A cup lid?"
She turned it over.
A printed logo appeared.
The Palace Garden
Thea’s eyes narrowed.
"What is this?"
She looked toward the team.
"Who’s local?"
A woman stepped forward.
"Princess."
Thea showed her the lid.
"What do you know about The Palace Garden?"
The woman examined it.
"It’s a hotel and restaurant business."
"Where?"
"East side."
Thea immediately looked toward the map.
"How far?"
"Not very."
Thea stared at the lid again.
A clue.
Perhaps too convenient.
But they had nothing else.
Her expression changed.
"It’s a lead."
She threw the lid toward the operative.
"We go there."
The team straightened.
"Now."
She walked toward the exit.
"Let’s move."
Within moments, the building emptied.
Vehicles departed one after another.
The street became quiet again.
...
Several minutes passed.
Nothing moved.
The temporary base remained empty.
At least...
It looked empty.
Inside the same room where the smoke grenade had gone off, silence continued.
Then...
A cupboard shifted.
Slowly.
The entire structure slid several inches to the right.
A narrow hidden space appeared behind it.
Darius stepped out first.
He looked toward the door.
Then toward the empty room.
Reina followed.
Marina came next.
But she wasn’t alone.
She was holding an unconscious WEB operative by one arm.
Ren appeared behind her.
Aerin followed last.
Marina looked toward the unconscious man.
"Damn."
She smiled.
"They finally got inside."
Reina looked toward her.
Marina continued.
"That was easier than expected."
She adjusted her grip.
"We just switched their own people with ours."
A grin appeared.
"It’s actually funny."
Darius sighed.
"Don’t celebrate yet."
He looked toward the doorway.
"We still have work."
Another unconscious operative lay on the floor.
Reina looked down.
"What do we do with him?"
Darius thought for a second.
"Call Charles."
He looked toward Ren.
"Tell him we have one package."
Ren smiled.
"Alive package?"
"Alive."
Darius nodded.
"He’ll handle him."
Marina looked toward Aerin.
Darius continued.
"We only take the important one from here."
The words silenced everyone.
Thea.
He looked toward the basement access.
"I’ll get the vehicle ready."
Then he looked back.
"Follow me to the basement."
Everyone nodded.
Their operation had officially begun.
...
Pearl Villa
Evening.
Suitcases stood near the bedroom.
Clothes were folded.
Travel documents were arranged.
Several bags were already packed.
Elena stood near one of the suitcases and looked toward Miles.
"Everything packed for tomorrow?"
Miles turned.
"Mom."
He smiled.
"Whenever I leave the house, you’re worried."
Elena crossed her arms.
Miles continued.
"What happened to you today?"
Elena laughed.
"Because you’re not going alone this time."
Miles looked toward Chloe.
She was carefully folding another piece of clothing.
Elena’s smile softened.
"Chloe will be with you."
Then she looked back toward Miles.
"And why would I be sad?"
She looked genuinely happy.
"My son and daughter in law are finally going on their honeymoon."
Miles smiled.
Elena continued.
"I am very happy."
Chloe walked closer.
"Don’t worry, Mom."
She smiled.
"I’ll take care of him."
Elena looked at Chloe warmly.
"I know."
Miles looked offended.
"Take care of me?"
Chloe looked at him.
"Yes."
"Do I look like I need supervision?"
"Yes."
Monica laughed from nearby.
Miles stared at her.
"Why are you laughing?"
Monica shrugged.
"Because she’s right."
Miles sighed.
Daniel entered the room.
"So."
Everyone looked toward him.
"What’s the travel plan?"
Miles leaned against the table.
"Chloe lived in Paris."
Daniel nodded.
"So I wanted her to explore something different."
Chloe smiled.
Miles continued.
"We’re going to tour several Asian countries."
Elena looked interested.
"Asian countries?"
"Yes."
Miles nodded.
"They’ve become quite popular for tourism recently."
He looked toward Chloe.
"And there’s a lot she hasn’t seen."
Daniel smiled.
"Where first?"
"We will pass from Belvoir City first."
Elena immediately remembered.
"Olivia?"
"Yes."
Miles nodded.
"She said this is the best season to see the tea plantations."
Chloe looked excited.
"I’ve seen pictures."
"They’re beautiful."
Elena suddenly turned serious.
"Then remind me tomorrow."
Miles frowned.
"For what?"
"I’ll prepare some snacks for Olivia."
Chloe smiled.
Elena continued.
"She said she has a younger sister there too."
Miles nodded.
"Ivy."
"Yes."
Elena smiled.
"Take something for both of them."
Chloe immediately replied,
"Of course."
Miles looked toward the snack boxes in the room.
"Don’t worry, Mom."
Elena waited.
Miles pointed toward Chloe.
"I’ll keep them safe from her."
Chloe’s head snapped toward him.
"Hey?"
Miles laughed.
Monica covered her mouth.
"You shouldn’t have said that."
Chloe narrowed her eyes.
Miles slowly stepped away from her.
Then a voice came from the hallway.
"Someone said snacks?"
Hope appeared.
Her eyes immediately searched the room.
Asher arrived behind her.
Timothy followed slowly with his walking stick.
Asher asked,
"Snacks?"
Timothy looked toward the table.
"I heard snacks too."
Daniel burst out laughing.
"Forget Chloe."
He pointed toward the twins.
"Save them from the little thieves first."
Hope immediately protested.
"I’m not a thief."
Asher nodded.
"Me neither."
Miles looked toward them suspiciously.
"Very convincing."
The entire room filled with laughter.
...
Horizon Biotech Research Base
East Frankfurt
A man sat behind a large desk.
His expression was furious.
A woman stood in front of him with a tablet held tightly against her chest.
The man leaned forward.
"What do you mean they rejected our request?"
The woman remained calm.
"They refused to send additional weapons."
The man’s eyebrows tightened.
"Why?"
"They said..."
She hesitated.
"Speak."
"They believe in transparency."
The man stared.
"What?"
"And according to them..."
The woman continued.
"...the WEB has not been transparent."
The man slammed his hand against the desk.
"What the hell do they want to know?"
His voice echoed through the office.
"We give them money."
"They sell us weapons."
He leaned back angrily.
"What else matters?"
The woman stayed silent.
The man looked toward her.
"What changed?"
She finally answered.
"The person we were dealing with until now..."
"Yes?"
"...is dead."
The man froze.
"What?"
"His nephew killed him."
The man’s expression changed.
"Who?"
"Schmidt."
Silence.
The woman continued.
"Schmidt now controls the entire business."
"He inherited everything."
The man leaned back slowly.
"Schmidt..."
His eyes narrowed.
"What happened between them?"
"We don’t know the full story."
The woman shook her head.
"But the old man was killed publicly."
The man rubbed his forehead.
"Wonderful."
He looked toward her.
"Schedule a meeting with Schmidt."
She hesitated.
The man continued.
"I’ll speak with him personally before Boss hears about this."
His expression became uneasy.
"And before he sends the Princess here."
The woman understood immediately.
The man looked toward the window.
"Did you see what happened in Monaco?"
She nodded.
"They killed someone who worked for them for more than a decade."
The man’s voice became quieter.
"Because he made one major mistake."
He turned toward her.
"We don’t want the Princess here."
The woman nodded.
"There’s a problem."
The man’s expression dropped.
"What now?"
"Schmidt isn’t in the country."
"Where is he?"
"We don’t know."
The man stared.
"Can we contact him?"
"I tried."
"And?"
"I reached out to their base."
The woman looked frustrated.
"They said that if Schmidt contacts them..."
"They’ll inform him that we want a meeting."
The man stared at her.
"That’s it?"
"Yes."
He slowly stood.
"They’re being unreasonable."
The woman waited.
He grabbed his coat.
"Let’s go to their base."
Her eyebrows rose.
"Personally?"
"Yes."
The man walked toward the door.
"There is no way an organization like that doesn’t have its own leader’s contact information."
He looked back.
"We’ll get it from them."
The woman nodded.
"Understood."
...
Two Hours Later
Monaco
Every television channel in the country carried the same update.
Phones displayed the same video.
The Prince of Monaco appeared on screen.
Behind him stood the national flag.
His expression was composed.
Almost too composed.
A news reporter spoke over the introduction.
"This is the latest video released through the official social media account of the Prince."
Then the Prince began speaking.
"Hello, my dear citizens."
He paused briefly.
"Unfortunately..."
"Today’s press conference has been postponed until further notice."
People across Monaco watched in confusion.
The Prince continued.
"As many of you already know..."
"There have been several explosions in France today."
His expression became serious.
"The French officials who traveled here for the conference have returned immediately."
He lowered his head slightly.
"We wish the people of France safety."
"Strength."
"And peace during this difficult moment."
The Prince looked directly into the camera.
"Thank you, everyone."
The video ended.
...
Inside a secure room...
Thea slowly exhaled.
"Finally."
She leaned back.
Across from her sat the Prince himself.
Alive.
Unharmed.
But terrified.
The man stared toward her.
"Now what?"
Thea looked at him.
He swallowed.
"You kill me?"
Thea frowned.
Then slowly stood.
"Are you really a leader?"
The Prince looked confused.
Thea stepped toward him.
"Do you even have a little strategic sense?"
He remained silent.
Thea continued.
"Why don’t you understand?"
Her tone softened strangely.
"The WEB has great plans for you."
The Prince looked away.
Thea smiled.
"We’ll make you the richest man in Monaco."
He frowned.
Thea continued.
"Richer than the people who came here simply for tax benefits."
She walked around the table.
"You won’t have to worry about anything."
"Politics."
"Enemies."
"Money."
"Pressure."
"Nothing."
She stopped beside him.
"From now on..."
"You enjoy your life."
She leaned slightly closer.
"With your family."
The Prince froze.
Thea’s eyes became colder.
"Your daughter is very cute."
His face immediately changed.
Thea smiled.
"Make sure she remains happy forever, Prince."
The message was clear.
Too clear.
The Prince’s breathing became uneven.
"I..."
He looked toward her.
"I understand."
Thea straightened.
"Good."
She looked toward the operatives.
"Take the Prince and his family back to the palace."
The men nodded.
Thea continued.
"If he disappears again..."
Her eyes hardened.
"...I will personally shoot every operative stationed here."
The men stiffened.
"Understood, Princess."
The Prince stood slowly.
He was escorted away.
The door closed.
One by one, everyone left.
Until only Thea and one subordinate remained in the room.
Silence.
Then Thea’s phone buzzed.
She looked down.
Her subordinate glanced toward the screen.
Then gave her a small nod.
Pick up.
Thea answered.
"Yes."
Bjorn’s voice came through.
"You’ve done well, my daughter."
Thea remained still.
Bjorn continued.
"Not only did you stop the press conference..."
His voice carried satisfaction.
"...you placed a dog collar around the Prince’s neck."
Thea looked toward the closed door.
Bjorn laughed softly.
"I’m happy."
A pause.
"Your mother is very happy with your achievement too."
Thea closed her eyes.
Bjorn continued.
"Now come back to Norway."
Her eyes opened.
"We have many things to do."
Thea’s expression changed almost imperceptibly.
"Understood."
"I’ll return."
"Good."
The call ended.
Thea slowly lowered the phone.
Then sighed.
A long breath left her.
"Norway."
Her subordinate remained silent.
Thea leaned back against the table.
"We aren’t prepared for Norway."
The subordinate finally smiled faintly.
"We’ll think of something."
Thea looked toward him.
"Something?"
"Yes."
He pulled out a secure communication device.
"For now..."
He smiled.
"...let me contact Darius."
Thea’s eyes narrowed.
The subordinate continued.
"We need to tell them everything."
Then he glanced toward her face.
"And we definitely need my makeup box as backup."
Thea froze.
Slowly...
Her expression turned irritated.
"Damn Ren."
The subordinate smiled.
Thea touched her cheek.
"You’re going to ruin my face permanently."
To be continued.....