Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 226 The Ultimate Gambit

As Violeta spoke, her gaze swept around the room, spotting a staircase on the right leading to the second floor. "They're upstairs, aren't they?" she asked.

The man froze, his eyes losing their previous dismissiveness. Now he was scrutinising her, his hand moving subtly towards an alarm button under the table. At the slightest hint of trouble, he would alert the people upstairs.

"Who exactly are you?!"

"No need to be so tense."

The black market's vast information network was controlled by five people.

They were spread across the globe and only met once every two years.

The data they held maintained a delicate balance of power worldwide. Their separation ensured they couldn't all be captured at once.

The server for the Eye of Heaven information database was secured with three keys.

Every two years, these keys were handed over to the next set of guardians, with the five taking turns safeguarding them.

Today was the day they met to transfer the keys.

The location of this meeting was highly confidential, never to be leaked.

Who exactly was this woman?

She didn't seem like a regular bar patron.

Violeta tapped her fingers on the table, her tone intriguing. "Why don't you take a guess at who I am?"

The man's internal alarm bells rang loudly, and his gaze towards Violeta turned murderous.

games. I don't care who you are.

with a

didn't need to aim

However, Violeta moved faster.

having time to pull the trigger before he felt

small utility

of intense pain swept

out, or you'll start bleeding everywhere. You wouldn't want to make a mess here, would you?" The utility knife

behind her and glanced at her watch.

not to pull it

the stairs, taking two steps at

the second floor, she found only

knocked politely and introduced herself at the door, "Hello

door and

five men seated around a table with six glasses on it. Violeta scanned the

five middle-aged men looked at

from Hoiten, so she didn't

I'll get straight to the

Six you've

fell into stunned

"What?"

each other, confused about

this

Sinotian was visibly shocked

do you

I want you to cancel

our Eye of

Interpol inspector. In five minutes,