Eli walked steadily toward the server room, his steps measured but his heart pounding hard in his chest. The deeper he went, the fewer people he encountered, and that only heightened his anxiety.
Security here was no joke. Heavily armed guards patrolled the halls, their eyes sharp, their presence suffocating. One wrong move and he could be riddled with bullets, turned into nothing more than swiss cheese.
Finally, he found the door Dex had directed him to. Eli checked the corridor carefully, ensuring no one was watching, then swiped the card. His brow furrowed as the reader flashed red.
"Fuck, it didn't work," Eli whispered into his earpiece, frustration creeping into his tone. "That guy might not have access to the server room."
In the dark, humid tunnel, Marcel's flashlight cut through the shadows. His voice was calm but firm. "We need to find someone with higher clearance. Lila."
"I got it," Lila replied smoothly, setting her champagne glass down.
Eli turned back, his steps quickening, nerves prickling at his skin. "How can she find someone like that?" Rhea muttered.
Lila's lips curved into a sly smile. "I have my ways."
She had already scouted her prey. In the ballroom, a man in a tailored suit lingered near the edge of the crowd. Unlike the stern-faced security, he looked like he wanted to be a part of the event but he had to work. His access card gleamed at his belt.
But what made him stand out was his lecherous behavior. His eyes followed the female waiters, lingering shamelessly, his hands brushing against them as they passed.
Her gaze sharpened, her fingers tightening around her champagne glass. Every fiber of her being wanted to beat the man senseless, to make sure he never dared lay a hand on a woman again. But she restrained herself. This wasn't the time.
Instead, she poured a little champagne onto her dress, letting the liquid soak into the fabric. Her steps grew unsteady, her posture loose, as she approached him with the perfect illusion of drunkenness.
The man stiffened when someone squeezed his arm, ready to bark in irritation. But when he turned and saw Lila's stunning face inches from his own, his anger melted into a lewd fascination.
"Ma'am," he said, his smile stiff, trying to mask the hunger flashing in his eyes.
"You… you work here, right?" Lila slurred, leaning closer, her breath carrying the scent of alcohol. Her voice was soft, vulnerable, perfectly played.
The man's pulse quickened. "Yes. Let me take you to clean up and rest a little."
The banquet's main guests had already arrived, most of the crowd gathered in the ballroom. He thought no one would notice his absence. And here was fresh prey, practically falling into his lap.
From across the room, Eli watched, his expression unreadable. He tsked softly, pitying the man. If only the man knew that he had hooked a viper. Would he still be so eager?
Eli followed at a distance, balancing an empty tray, his disguise flawless. To anyone watching, he was just another waiter fetching glasses. But his eyes never left Lila and her mark.
In the hallway, he plastered a foolish grin across his face, the kind of sycophantic smile meant to curry favor with a superior. "Sir, do you need help?" he asked, voice dripping with false eagerness.
The man, struggling to half-carry Lila, glanced at Eli. Seeing the obsequious look on his face, he nodded. For all his arrogance, the man hadn't expected the woman to be so heavy despite her small frame. Eli stepped in, half-supporting Lila while cursing the lecherous man silently in his heart. Sweat beaded at his temple as they made their way down the corridor.
Soon, they reached a room. The man opened the door, ushering Eli inside. "Place her on the bed," he ordered.
Eli gritted his teeth but forced a smile. "Okay." He laid Lila down gently, then straightened.
"Go guard the door," the man said pulling his belt.
Eli widened his eyes, feigning shock. "W-what are you going to do?"
The man's tone was sharp. "Do you want to get your pay for the day or not?"
Eli leaned into the act, rubbing his hands together nervously. "Boss, I can guard the door… but I will need at least twice the money."
The man scowled. "Fine fine. Just get out quickly."
"Yes, sir," Eli said, rushing out and closing the door behind him.
In the van, Dex's voice came through the comms. "Dead man walking."
Rhea chuckled darkly. "She's going to make him impotent."
Their chatter was cut short by the sudden screams of a grown man, echoing through the earpieces before dying down.
Marcel's voice was calm as he asked, "Passed out?"
Lila's reply was crisp. "Yep. And I crashed his balls. She stuff him in the walk-in closet, broke the knob, locked him in.
Dex whistled. "You have got a long list of victims. How many balls have you crushed to date?"
Lila smirked. "Do you want to add yourself to the list? I will do one better and make you a eunuch."
Dex chuckled through the comms. "No thanks."
Lila opened the door, her expression calm, and handed the card to Eli.
"Heading to the server room again," Eli muttered, sliding the card into his pocket.
"Be careful," Marcel warned from the tunnel.
But it wasn't Eli who needed to be careful. Just five steps deeper into the tunnel, a hiss echoed in the dark. A snake dropped suddenly, landing across Rhea's shoulders.
Her scream tore through the comms. "It's a snake! It's a fucking snake! Get it off me, get it off me!"
Marcel reacted instantly, grabbing the serpent and smashing it hard against the concrete wall. The body went limp, sliding to the ground.
The others clamored over the earpiece, voices overlapping.
Marcel pressed a hand over Rhea's mouth. "It's dead. See?"
Rhea's wide eyes fixed on the unmoving snake, but her body still trembled in fear.
Dex couldn't hold it in anymore. He burst out laughing, his voice wheezing.
"Stop laughing!" Rhea shouted, her voice shaking. "It almost bit me! I would be dead in minutes!"
Marcel shook his head. "It's not poisonous."
Dex laughed even harder, nearly choking.