Two Weeks After the Police Headquarters Visit
Sector 1 Central District & Sector 7 Headquarters
Ironport appears superficially calm. Police patrols have decreased, the micro-economy is beginning to move, and Sinclair feels he has finally regained control of the situation.
Rion decided to pull all pieces off the board. No explosions, no major hacks, and no mysterious messages. He allowed Sinclair to enjoy a false victory for two weeks to let the man's mental state recover—only to crush him even deeper later on.
The "Safe" City and Date Invitations
Due to Den's influence and the aura of peace created by Nero Familia, Ren was now viewed as a socialite icon who brought good fortune. The sons of officials and wealthy businessmen in Sector 1 began competing for her attention.
Almost every night, a luxury car would pull up in front of Ren's residence to pick her up for a date.
"Miss Ren, would you be willing to accompany me to the opera tonight?" or "Dinner at the floating restaurant?" were messages that flooded in. Ren accepted a few of them—not out of interest, but to strengthen her network of informants among the elite.
Jealousy Behind the Monitors
At the Sector 7 Headquarters, the atmosphere was much colder than usual. Rion spent more time in front of the surveillance screens, monitoring Ren's every move via GPS and hidden microphones.
"Target (Ren) is currently at *L'Aurore* Restaurant with the son of the Finance Minister," Mia reported in an innocent tone, unaware of the rising tension in the room.
Rion didn't answer. He simply continued sharpening his tactical knife with movements that were too fast and forceful.
"Boss, you've been sharpening that blade for an hour. If you keep going, the knife will vanish," Garry teased with a smirk.
"Shut up, Garry," Rion snapped coldly. His eyes never left the screen showing Ren sharing a small laugh (a perfect fake laugh) as the man across from her tried to hold her hand.
Rion switched on his communicator. "Ren, you're getting too close to the target. Keep your distance."
"Oh? Am I?" Ren's voice drifted through Rion's earpiece, her tone laced with subtle provocation. *"I'm just doing my job, Rion. Weren't you the one who said we needed his father's debt records?"*
"Get the data and get out of there immediately," Rion ordered, his voice slightly heavier than usual.
Fire in the Silence
When Ren returned to the base that night, she found Rion still awake in the main room, alone in the darkness. The scent of a stranger's cologne still lingered slightly on Ren's dress.
"You're home late," Rion said without turning his head.
Ren walked closer, standing directly behind Rion's chair, and touched his shoulder. "You know, Rion... those men are incredibly boring. They talk about money as if it were everything."
She leaned down, whispering into Rion's ear. "Not one of them has the fire that you hide behind this cold face. Are you jealous?"
Rion caught Ren's wrist quickly, pulling her until she was forced to look into his eyes. "I don't have time for jealousy, Ren. I just don't like my best asset wasting time with fools."
Ren only gave a thin smile. She knew Rion was lying. Within Nero Familia, they might be partners in crime, but between the two of them, there was something far more dangerous than just business.