10:00 AM
High Commissioner's Luxury Residence – Elite District, Sector 1
Silent, heavily secured, and filled with expensive art pieces that contrast sharply with the squalor of Ironport.
While Sinclair was busy managing the chaos on the streets, there was one figure who held far greater control above him. His name was Den. Officially, he was a senior police official with immense political influence. But to Ren, Den was the man she presented as her "Adoptive Father" in public—a perfect shield that granted legitimacy to her presence among the elite.
The Adoptive Father
Den sat in his leather chair, his back to a massive window overlooking the entire city. Opposite him, Ren sat gracefully, sipping jasmine tea.
"Sinclair is starting to get suspicious," Den's voice was heavy and authoritative. "He feels there's a hand pulling the strings behind the minor faction attacks yesterday. He's even started questioning the background of the 'businesses' you run, Ren."
Ren smiled calmly. "Let him ask. As long as he sees you standing behind me, he won't dare go further than just asking."
Den swiveled his chair, looking at Ren with an expression that was hard to read—there was protection, but also a deep respect for the intelligence of the woman before him. Den wasn't a member of Nero Familia, at least not yet. However, he had decided to be the guardian for Rion and Ren within the highest ranks of the bureaucracy.
"Rion is too bold," Den muttered. "Recruiting a young officer like Marcel is a risky move. But I've already erased the traces of their meeting this morning."
The Invisible Shield
Den's reason for protecting them was simple: he saw Ironport as a sinking ship, and he believed Rion and Ren were the only ones who could build something new from the wreckage.
"If Sinclair tries to conduct a raid without my clearance, I'll make sure his warrants get stuck on the administrative desk for a week," Den continued. "I will guarantee your legal safety. But remember, if Rion makes a mistake that is too conspicuous, I cannot save you from public outrage."
"Rion doesn't make mistakes, Father," Ren replied, adding a slight playful tone to the last word. "He only makes strategic adjustments."
Change of Plans: Aborting the Attack
At the Sector 7 headquarters, Rion listened to the conversation through a hidden transmitter Ren was wearing. He stared at the holographic map of the Central Bank, which was still glowing.
"Nero Familia, listen up," Rion's voice echoed in the other members' earpieces. "Abort the Central Bank heist."
"What?! But we're ready, Boss!" Garry shouted from inside the van.
"Den just warned us through Ren. Sinclair has smelled our pattern. If we attack now, it's a trap," Rion explained. "We don't need the bank's cash if we can own its system. Mia, switch targets. Don't steal the money—steal the debt records of the officials held by the Central Bank. We'll destroy them with information, not bullets."