Camella sifted through the files she had stolen from Lincoln's office, scanning every line until she found what she needed. With steady hands, she sent the current location to Oswald, who pressed the accelerator, guiding the car swiftly down the highway.
[Meanwhile]
, [Narators's POV, ]
the Air Force executive van surged at ninety kilometers per hour, carrying twelve of Lincoln's most prized young recruits—eight boys and four girls. Inside, laughter and idle chatter filled the cabin until Eshon leaned forward.
"I need a break," he told the driver.
"Of course," the chauffeur replied with a warm smile. Minutes later, the van slowed to a halt at the roadside.
That's when it happened.
From the shadows, a band of robbers swarmed the van. Guns gleamed. Voices barked. The driver's desperate attempt to call the police was cut short as their line went dead. Panic filled the vehicle—the boys raised their hands in surrender, while the girls screamed as if the end of the world had arrived.
"Out! Hands up!" one robber ordered coldly.
With no choice, the twelve filed out, kneeling on the gravel, hands trembling in the air.
Among the masked attackers was Oswald. Beneath his disguise, confusion twisted his expression. Why here? Why them? Of all people, why would Camilla choose to prank Lincoln's most valuable team? Still, he gave the order. Phones, wallets, and jewelry were stripped away.
Then, a new twist.
In a separate car nearby, Camilla leaned back, lips curved into a mischievous smile. She dialed a number, her voice steady with authority. "Give the phone to your leader," she commanded.
Oswald obeyed, handing the device to Mr. Jaro, the Echo team's strategist. The voice that poured from the speaker made his blood run cold—it was Mrs. Williams, CEO of Galaxy Treasures, Lincoln's fiercest rival.
"Mr. Jaro," the voice said. "Project 360 must proceed. No more delays. I now hold your Echo team in my hands. Refuse me, and their lives are forfeit."
Jaro froze. He remembered his last meeting with Mrs. Williams—the bitter argument, his warning that Project 360 would destroy half the region's vegetation and tarnish Echo's reputation forever. But Mrs. Williams had cared only for profit. She had vowed to continue the project with or without them.
Now her threat was real. To move forward, she needed the confidential blueprints locked in Jaro's possession.
His eyes flicked to the team kneeling helplessly on the ground. Their fate—and the reputation of Echo—hung in his hands.