6: Betrayal’s Echo From the of the alley, slow and deliberate. A figure cloaked in long the their face. As approached, the fell back, revealing Lisa’s face—pale, eyes wide with a mix of fear and regret. “Ava,” Lisa’s voice was a mere whisper, filled with trepidation. “You came. “I had to,” Ava voice steady but with hurt. “Why, Why you do it?” Lisa down, unable to meet piercing gaze. She took a as if summoning the speak. didn’t choice. eyes narrowed. “Didn’t have a You were my friend, Lisa. We grew up together. could betray me like that?” up in Lisa’s eyes. She step closer, but Ava recoiled. “Please, just listen,” Lisa pleaded. “It wasn’t what it seemed. Ava crossed her arms, her stance defensive. me understand. shoulders slumped, and she glanced around before speaking. “I was blackmailed, Ava. They threatened my family. They had dirt on me, on my brother. If didn’t do what they wanted, they ruined us. Ava’s expression but the anger still simmered the surface. “Who are ‘they’?” dropped to a whisper. “The Syndicate. They knew everything, Ava. They about our plans, about your weaknesses. They forced me to feed them information. Ava’s mind trying process the revelation. The Syndicate. The name sent chill down spine. They were more dangerous than she had realized. “Why you come to me?” she asked, voice cracking. “We could’ve figured something out together. “I was admitted, tears streaming her face now. “They my move. I couldn’t risk it. I thought if did what they wanted, maybe they’d let us go. Ava’s fists clenched. “And what about now? Why tell me this now?” Lisa wiped her away with of her hand. they keep their promise. They brother. And I can’t live this guilt anymore. need your help, Ava. the one who stop them. Ava stared at her former friend, of emotions churning inside her. anger, sorrow, and flicker of hope. “Tell everything,” she said finally. “If going to do this, I need to know it all. Lisa nodded, relief over her face. “Thank Ava. I I won’t let you again. on the cold, damp ground of the alley, Lisa recounted every detail—the threats, the blackmail, the information she had passed to the Syndicate. Ava listened intently, piecing together puzzle shattered her life. As the night wore on, resolve hardened. She would not let get with this. They manipulated and destroyed many lives. one question still burned in mind. “Who’s behind all of this, Lisa? Who’s the mastermind?” Lisa hesitated, fear flashing in her eyes. name is Vincent Blackwood,” she whispered. “He’s the one all the strings. name sent a shockwave through Ava. Vincent Blackwood. name had heard in hushed whispers, associated with power ruthlessness. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. This was bigger than she had imagined. “We need to be careful,” Ava said, her voice firm. “Vincent is dangerous. But we’ll a way stop him. Lisa nodded, her fear now mingled with a glimmer hope. A knock on the door startled her. She reached for knife kept hidden in the desk pounding. “Who is it?” she called to keep her voice steady. “It’s me,” came a familiar voice. “Jackson. Ava a breath she hadn’t she was holding and opened the door. Jackson stood there, his with concern. “I heard what he stepping inside. “Are you okay?” Ava nodded, but the tension in her shoulders betrayed her. “I’m fine. Just trying make sense of everything. Jackson down across her, gaze serious. “Lisa told you about Vincent, didn’t she?” Ava him sharply. Jackson sighed, a hand through his hair. “I suspected. Vincent’s name has come up in a lot of our investigations. a ghost, Ava. Hard to pin down, but always there, pulling the strings. Ava’s frustration over. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I didn’t have Jackson replied, his voice but firm. “And I didn’t want to put you in more danger without knowing for sure. But now we do, we need to act. took a deep breath, to calm the storm inside her. “What’s next move?” Jackson forward, his eyes locked hers. “We our the ones we can trust. We find out everything we can about Vincent’s operations. And then hit him where it hurts. Ava nodded, determination her resolve. “Let’s bring him down.