That night, the investigation shifted direction.
If Li Wei wasn't the enemy—
Then the enemy was someone who learned from him.
Someone who studied him.
Someone who inherited his methods.
Emily sat across from Alexander in the strategy room.
Whiteboards filled with connections.
Names.
Dates.
Movements.
Everything led back to one conclusion.
"This isn't revenge," Emily said quietly.
Alexander nodded.
"It's succession."
Emily leaned forward.
"They're not trying to destroy you because of the past."
She pointed at the board.
"They're trying to replace you."
Silence.
Alexander looked at the data again.
Then at her.
"Yes."
The simplicity of that answer made it worse.
Because if that was true—
Then the attacks wouldn't stop.
Not until one side was gone.
Emily exhaled slowly.
"So what do we do?"
Alexander's voice dropped.
"We stop reacting."
Emily raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
"We become unpredictable."
That was new.
Emily studied him.
"You mean we break the pattern."
"Yes."
"How?"
Alexander's eyes met hers.
"We make the next move."