Location: Dominic Scott's Private OfficeTime: 10:15 PM
Angie sat across from Dominic, watching him over the desk.His expression was calm, but beneath that lay an unmistakable air of power and certainty.
Dominic was a man who understood people.He knew exactly what words could sway someone, and what kind of pressure could break them.
Tonight, Angie had come to hear the proposal he was offering.
The First Offer – An Irresistible Amount"This will be the most money you've ever seen in your life."Dominic smiled as he pushed the contract across the table.
Angie looked at the number without blinking.But she could feel her heart quietly skip a beat.
The Second Offer – A New Identity"I can help you live the life you've always wanted.Erase your past, and build you a brand new name."
Feigning indifference, Angie asked,"Why would I need to throw away my identity?"
Dominic handed over several sheets of paper, still smiling.
The Third Offer – Her Weakness
Her past.The fact that government agencies were after her.The traces she had left behind, forged, altered, hidden.
Dominic said,"I'm a man who believes in trust. But trust needs confirmation."
"If I turn this in... you'd have no choice but to disappear."
After a long silence, Angie finally opened her mouth.
"…Alright."
She smiled faintly and placed her pen over the contract.
She had to betray Vincent's team.She had to turn over the information he carried.And take the money to begin a new life.
As her fingertips brushed against the paper,an uneasy chill crawled slowly up her neck.
But she ignored it.
"If you've decided—no regrets."
The First Realization – Dominic's True Nature
She worked alongside Dominic's people to carry out the mission.And the more she interacted with them, the more she realized something.
Dominic wasn't just a businessman.He was someone who needed to control everything.
Even those who were loyal to him were monitored.Anyone who sparked even a hint of suspicion—was eliminated.He trusted no one. Not truly.
Would she ever be free after all of this?
Vincent never tried to deceive her.He could manipulate people when necessary, but he never forced them.Most of all, he trusted her.
She remembered what Vincent once said:
"You can leave anytime. No one here's forcing you."
Dominic was not that kind of man.
"You signed the contract. You're mine now."
And that's when she began to question:Who was she really betraying?
The Third Realization – She Might Be the One Being Used
One night, Angie overheard a conversation among Dominic's operatives.
"What about Angie? Think she might turn?""She took the money, didn't she?""Yeah, but you think money buys loyalty?""That's why she's under surveillance. If needed, we'll deal with her."
Angie stood by the window, silently smoking a cigarette.
"Of course… this is what it really was."
She had signed the contract—but Dominic had never trusted her.
Could she really survive by swearing loyalty to someone like that?
She took a deep breath.
She looked at the hand that had signed the deal.
And quietly turned her gaze out the window.
Location: Dominic's OfficeTime: Late Night
Dominic received the report and smiled.
Angie had signed.Now she belonged to him.
But—
"Keep watching her," he said in a gentle tone.
His subordinate nodded."We already are."
Dominic sipped his wine.
"Good."
He narrowed his eyes.
"But watching isn't enough."
The subordinate tensed.
"Let's see if she really becomes mine...""Or if she's simply waiting for the moment to turn."
Dominic leaned forward and whispered,
"Maybe… we should betray her first."
****
The Augmented Soldier Project"
Location: Secret Department of Defense Research FacilityTime: 10:00 AM
Dominic arrived at the secret military research facility.His reason for being here was simple.
The PMC operation hadn't completely failed.
But Vincent Kang was a far more formidable opponent than expected.
Relying solely on mercenaries posed too great a risk.
"In that case, it's time to prepare a more decisive card."
A senior official from the Department of Defense greeted him with a smile and stood.
"What brings you to us today?"
Dominic smiled lightly and sat down.
"I'm a man who always prepares for the future."
The official chuckled and turned on a monitor, displaying data on a single subject.
Codename: Specter – A forcibly enhanced human.
A product of the government's experimental combat program.
Dominic examined the screen with interest.
"So, where is he now?"
"He's on standby here. We can deploy him at any time."
"If he took down Isaac, then he should be capable of handling Vincent Kang."
The official gave a short nod.
"There's no doubt about that."
Dominic fell into thought.If the PMC operation failed, this would be the next step.That was how Dominic operated—always a step ahead.
Location: Secret Military LabTime: 11:30 AM
Dominic faced Specter.
He looked the same but colder, more powerful.His body bore marks of experiments and battle scars.
"Did you kill Isaac?" Dominic asked.
Specter answered flatly,"He survived."Then smirked faintly."But if we fight again, the outcome will be the same."
Dominic nodded in satisfaction and asked,"Are you ready to fight for me?"
Specter stared at him for a long moment before replying,
"My goal is simple.To fight."
Location: Dominic's Mansion – Conference Hall CorridorTime: 1:00 PM
Dominic had gathered his top people for a meeting.He had summoned Angie as well—but made sure she'd arrive before the meeting ended.
As Angie approached the door, she paused.Dominic's voice could be heard from inside.
"We'll move the augmented soldier to the front lines."
She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but something about his tone made her wary.
"The PMC has failed. Vincent Kang was more troublesome than expected.But Specter is different. He'll resolve everything in one go."
Someone in the room asked,"An augmented soldier… but if we send Specter after Vincent, won't it be obvious we're involved?"
Dominic laughed softly."Vincent might come after us—but that's part of the calculation."
Angie's hand trembled slightly.
"They're really sending an enhanced soldier?"
Still, she didn't act immediately.This was critical information.
Then Dominic's voice lowered.
"There's one thing bothering me."
The room fell silent.
Dominic added,
"Information is leaking from the inside."
Angie froze for a moment.
"We believe someone on the inside is leaking it. The question is—who?"
She instinctively held her breath.
"Is he suspecting me?"
Location: Dominic's Mansion – Private LoungeTime: 2:00 PM
Dominic called Angie in.He was already prepared to test whether she was the traitor.
As she entered, he swirled the wine in his glass and said,
Dominic: "How have you been?"Angie (smiling): "Of course. But I've heard an interesting rumor recently."
Dominic looked at her with interest.
Dominic: "Oh? What kind of rumor?"
She took a sip of wine and answered calmly,
Angie: "Something about an augmented soldier project."
Dominic's gaze flickered—but his tone remained casual.
Dominic: "Where did you hear something like that?"
Angie tilted her head with a soft laugh.
Angie: "It's a rumor going around. But I prefer to confirm things myself.So, I'm reporting it directly."
She deliberately acted as though she was the one giving Dominic information—as though she were loyal, not betraying him.
Dominic studied her carefully.
"Is she trying to deceive me? Or is she really on my side?"
But because she had seemingly come forward first, Dominic's suspicion waned.
Dominic (smiling): "I like your initiative.So, tell me—do you think deploying an augmented soldier is the right move to deal with Vincent?"
Angie quickly calculated her answer.
If she agreed, she would gain Dominic's trust.
But it would endanger Vincent.
A careful response was required.
Angie (pretending to think):"Hmm… The PMC operation hasn't entirely failed yet.I think it's too early to make a final decision."
Dominic narrowed his eyes but nodded.
Dominic: "A reasonable point."
He was reassessing her again.But because she brought up the augmented soldier first and gave a logical opinion, his suspicion further lessened.
He snapped his fingers.
Two guards entered.
Dominic (smiling): "From now on, you're one of mine.Aren't you?"
Angie smiled back.
Angie: "Of course. That was my plan from the start."
From here on, Angie would have to play the role of a double agent more deeply.Dominic didn't fully trust her yet—but he was ready to use her.
Location: Vincent's SafehouseTime: 10:00 PM
Feynman spun his tablet and said,
Feynman: "Angie's acting weird."
Vincent looked at the screen.Her behavioral patterns were changing.
Feynman: "You think… she betrayed us?"Vincent: "Can't say yet. But we need to find out for sure—before we make our move."