The room was still.
The gunshot echo slowly faded in the walls of the mansion.
On the floor, Raghav's body lay motionless.
Blood slowly spread across the marble tiles.
For a few seconds, Anaya Sen couldn't even breathe.
Her eyes were fixed on the scene in front of her.
Just minutes ago, Raghav had been standing there… talking… threatening them.
Now everything was over.
She slowly turned toward Aryan Malhotra.
His expression hadn't changed at all.
Calm.
Cold.
Like nothing unusual had happened.
"You knew…" Anaya said softly.
Aryan adjusted the cuff of his black shirt.
"Yes."
"How long?"
"A week."
Anaya stared at him in shock.
"You knew he would betray you and you still let him stay here?"
Aryan looked at her.
"In my world, traitors reveal themselves eventually."
Two guards entered the room and silently dragged Raghav's body away.
No emotion.
No questions.
Just routine.
That moment made Anaya realize something frightening.
Death was normal in Aryan's world.
Aryan walked toward the large glass window overlooking the forest surrounding the mansion.
Outside, dozens of guards were patrolling the area.
Searchlights moved across the dark trees.
The entire place looked like a military fortress.
Anaya crossed her arms.
"So Dragov has people inside your organization."
Aryan nodded slightly.
"He always does."
She walked closer to him.
"Then how can you be sure there aren't more traitors?"
Aryan's lips curved into a faint smile.
"There are."
Anaya blinked.
"What?"
Aryan turned toward her.
"But they don't know that I know."
Anaya shook her head.
"You're insane."
"Maybe."
He leaned slightly against the window.
"But insanity built this empire."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
The tension in the air was heavy.
Finally Anaya asked something that had been bothering her.
"What exactly is this chip Dragov wants?"
Aryan was silent for a few seconds.
Then he walked to the desk and opened a locked drawer.
From inside he took out a small metal case.
He placed it on the table.
Slowly he opened it.
Inside was a tiny black microchip.
Anaya leaned closer.
"That little thing started all this?"
Aryan nodded.
"Yes."
"What's inside it?"
Aryan's voice became serious.
"Everything."
"Dragov's bank accounts."
"His weapon supply routes."
"Names of politicians he controls."
"Locations of hidden weapon facilities."
Anaya's eyes widened.
"This could destroy his entire empire."
Aryan closed the case again.
"Exactly."
"Which is why he wants it back."
Anaya frowned.
"But if you already have the chip… why not just give it to the police?"
Aryan looked at her like she had asked something naive.
"Because the police are also inside his pocket."
Anaya slowly realized the truth.
"So the only way to stop him… is you."
Aryan didn't respond.
But his silence was enough.
Suddenly a guard rushed into the room.
"Boss!"
Aryan looked up.
"What is it?"
The guard looked tense.
"Dragov's convoy has entered the city."
The room suddenly felt colder.
Anaya's heart started beating faster.
"He's already here?"
The guard nodded.
"Yes boss."
Aryan asked calmly,
"Where?"
The guard answered,
"Near the harbor district."
Aryan walked toward the large digital map on the wall.
A red dot appeared on the screen.
Moving slowly through the city.
Anaya whispered,
"That's him…"
Aryan's eyes narrowed.
"Yes."
Then he said something unexpected.
"Prepare the cars."
The guard looked confused.
"For what, boss?"
Aryan picked up his coat.
"We're going to meet him."
Anaya stared at him.
"Are you crazy?!"
Aryan looked at her with a calm but dangerous expression.
"No."
"This war ends faster if the king steps onto the battlefield."
Anaya's heart raced.
"You're walking straight into his trap."
Aryan gave a faint smile.
"Maybe."
Then he opened the door.
"But sometimes the trap belongs to the hunter."
Outside the mansion engines started roaring.
Black armored cars lined up in the driveway.
The night was about to become very dangerous.
Because somewhere in the dark streets of the city—
Dragov was waiting.
And soon…
Two of the most dangerous men in the world would finally face each other.