Location: Dominic Scott's private officeTime: 11:45 PM
Outside the luxurious office windows, the city lights shimmered.Dominic held a wine glass in his hand, slowly swirling it.However, there was no sign of ease on his face.
On the desk lay several photographs.
Photos of destroyed PMC vehicles
A report on a failed chase
Partial radio communication logs from Gabriel's team
He quietly examined the photos, then slowly exhaled as he spoke.
"Is this… the result you've produced?"
Gabriel kept silent.Emily quietly observed the situation, turning the tablet with her fingertips.
Dominic placed the photos down again.
"Two PMC agents dead, two vehicles lost, mission failed. Vincent Kang and his team are still active."
He lifted his gaze and looked at Gabriel.
"Is this the result of your boast that you could 'capture Vincent'?"
Gabriel gritted his teeth.But he did not make excuses.Failure was failure.
Instead, he said firmly.
"He's more dangerous than we thought."
"So? Do you think I didn't know that?"
Dominic's voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp.
"The reason I hired you wasn't to confirm that 'Vincent is dangerous,' but to eliminate him."
He picked up the photo again and threw it toward Gabriel.The photo slid across the desk and stopped.
"Yet you failed, meaning you're below my expectations."
Gabriel picked up the photo with his fingertips.He quietly stared at it.
The traces of the explosion that destroyed the vehicle
The bloodstains of the killed PMC agents
The CCTV capture of Vincent just before he disappeared
He took a short breath.
"That's right. I failed. But Vincent isn't perfect either. From this, I've learned a little more about his tactical style and limitations."
Dominic scoffed.
"You've figured him out, yet you still failed."
Gabriel raised his head.
"Then, I'll have to take matters into my own hands."
Emily chuckled from the side.
"You already took matters into your own hands. And still failed."
Gabriel glared at Emily.But she calmly continued to turn her tablet, unaffected.
"I'm just stating the facts. You've underestimated Vincent Kang. You thought you knew how to fight the strong."
"Shut up."
Dominic observed the two of them with a small smile.
He took a sip of wine and slowly leaned back in his chair.
"Interesting. So, in the end, it means you can't overpower Vincent with just 'personal skill.'"
He tapped his fingers on the desk.
"Then, 'a new approach' is necessary."
Target Vincent's weakness.
Approach him strategically, not emotionally.
Deploy a trustworthy new individual.
Dominic picked up the tablet and swiped through the screen.
There were profiles of new PMC agents.
Codename: 'Myers' – Former PMC operative with special operations experience
Codename: 'Lucas' – Expert in intelligence gathering and assassination
"This time, Gabriel, you're not going alone."
Gabriel furrowed his brow.
"I can handle this myself."
"Really?"
Dominic smiled meaningfully.
"If you 'handle it yourself' and fail, what's the next option?"
Gabriel bit his tongue.
"You're skilled. But Vincent is no mere soldier."
He slowly clasped his hands together.
"So, the method I've chosen is 'teamplay.'"
He slid the photos of Lucas and Myers toward Gabriel.
"You three are moving together now."
***
"It's Just a Lack of Money"
Location: Dominic Scott's private officeTime: 3:10 AM
Dominic sat on the sofa and took a sip of wine.Before him lay several documents and a tablet.
PMC agents' operational progress
Gabriel's failure report
Angelina's profile and her financial records
He slowly swiped through the tablet.His gaze paused on a specific piece of data.
Angelina, real name Angelina Spencer.
Multiple secret accounts scattered across the globe
A history of numerous financial frauds and information trades
Accounts that have been 'clean' since a specific time
Dominic smirked.
"People say they're not tempted by money? Ha-ha."
He put the tablet down and muttered.
"It's just that she's lacking money."
1. Dominic's new plan – Targeting 'Angelina'
He sat at his desk and instructed his assistant.
"Make contact with Angelina. In the form of an official offer."
The assistant immediately operated the tablet.
Offer:Dominic would offer Angelina not just money, but 'life-changing money.'Amount:Cash, stocks, and access to secure financial networks—immense funds.Conditions:Betray Vincent Kang and hand over 'the information he wants.'
The assistant looked up.
"How much should we offer?"
Dominic smiled.
"Enough for her to live without ever being pursued again."
The assistant nodded.
"I'll contact her immediately."
2. Gabriel – Trust in Dominic falters
Location: Secret meeting roomTime: 4:20 AM
Gabriel paced the room, suppressing his frustration.He didn't want to admit failure, but the reality was unavoidable.
Since his failure, Dominic had deployed new PMC agents.He had also instructed Gabriel to 'team up.'
But Gabriel realized.
"This isn't just support.""This is proof that I'm losing Dominic's trust."
He clenched his fists.Emily quietly watched him.
Emily: "Must be frustrating, huh?"Gabriel: "…Shut up."
She turned the tablet with a meaningful smile.
Emily: "You might want to consider that Dominic might drop you soon."Gabriel: "Drop me? I'm fighting for him."
Emily: "Yes, for now. But Dominic is a pragmatic person. If there are no results, he'll always look for a better alternative."
Gabriel quietly glared at her.But he couldn't deny it.
Just then, a radio transmission sounded.
Dominic: "Gabriel, you're now assigned to support Lucas and Myers."
Gabriel tightened his grip on the radio.
"Support?"
Dominic: "You've tried your best, but now we need a more careful approach."
That was, in fact, a message that meant "you can't do it alone."
Dominic: "From now on, we hunt Vincent in a 'different way.'"
3. Angelina – At the Crossroads of Betrayal
Location: Quiet caféTime: 2:00 PM
Angelina exhaled slowly as she drank her coffee.A man sat across from her.
"I've brought Dominic Scott's offer."
The man opened his briefcase.Inside were a contract and an offer of a large bonus.
Immediate large sum of money
Access to secure accounts and escape routes
The condition: Hand over Vincent.
The man spoke.
"Mr. Dominic doesn't think you're the 'type' to betray.He just thinks you haven't been offered enough money."
Angelina stared at him.
Then, she smiled and said.
"Interesting offer."
Her gaze was unwavering.But inwardly, she was thinking.
"How should I use this?"