Chapter 96. The Gift.

I tighten my grip on my phone, gazing across the room at the influential individuals gathered there.

They regard me with curiosity and concern, sensing the shift in my demeanour.

"What is it?" one asks, his brow furrowed.

I let out a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose as I collected my thoughts.

"We have a... complication," I say, measured and deliberate. "It seems our plans have been compromised. We'll need to accelerate the timeline and initiate Operation Sting."

The room erupts into a flurry of activity, the others exchanging worried glances and muttering to one another in hushed tones.

I raise a hand, silencing them with a pointed look.

"There's no need for alarm," I say, my lips curving into a humourless smile. "We've been anticipating this eventuality. We'll need to move a bit more quickly than anticipated."

The others nod, their expressions grim but resolute. They know the stakes as well as I do. Failure is not an option.

I return to the CCTV feed, gaze locked on And