Chapter 4
Morning Briefing in the Conference Room
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking)
(Day three. If I can just make it through this week, I might actually survive here.)
Sophia (ML’s Younger Sister)
(placing a steaming cup of coffee in front of MC) You look like you need this more than me.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(gratefully) Thanks, Sophia.
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(entering the room, his tone sharp) Don’t get too comfortable. Boss expects results, not friendships.
Sophia (ML’s Younger Sister)
(rolling her eyes) And good morning to you too, Kai.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(arriving, his presence silencing the room) Let’s begin.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking) The air shifts the moment he steps in. How does he do that?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(glancing at Elena) Updates on last night’s shipment?
Elena (Underworld Broker)
(smirking) Vincent won’t be a problem anymore. But we need a better supplier. His replacements are sloppy.
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(gruffly) We can lean on Nikolai’s contacts.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(narrowing his eyes) Risky. Nikolai’s not exactly reliable.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(hesitant) Sir, what about the northern docks? I read in the reports that traffic there has been consistent.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(turning to him, amused) Reading between the lines already?
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(nervously) Just trying to find solutions, sir.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(pauses, then nods) Follow up with Elena. Let’s see if your theory holds water.
The Archives Room with Sophia
Sophia (ML’s Younger Sister)
(opening a drawer) Here are the northern dock records. Boring stuff, mostly.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(sifting through papers) Thanks, Sophia.
Sophia (ML’s Younger Sister)
(teasing) You’re surprisingly brave for someone who looks like he’d pass out at the first sign of trouble.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(laughs nervously) I’m just good at pretending.
Sophia (ML’s Younger Sister)
(leaning closer) Be careful with that. In this world, pretending can get you killed.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking) She says it so casually…
Sophia (ML’s Younger Sister)
(brightening) But don’t worry! You’ve got me on your side.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(smiling) Thanks, Sophia.
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(leaning against the wall) You’re awfully close to Sophia.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(startled) I—she’s helping me with the records.
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(coldly) Don’t get any ideas. The boss doesn’t tolerate mistakes, especially with her.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(frowning) I’m just doing my job.
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(steps closer, voice low) Good. Keep it that way.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(Thinking)
Why is he so protective of her?
Elena (Underworld Broker)
(lighting a cigarette) So, this is the famous northern docks. What do you think?
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(looking around) Quiet. Too quiet.
Elena (Underworld Broker)
(smirking) You’re learning. Silence in our world usually means someone’s plotting.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking) Why do I feel like I’m being watched?
Dock worker
(approaching warily) You’re not supposed to be here.
Elena (Underworld Broker)
(flicking her cigarette) We’re here on behalf of Mr. Liang. Do you want to explain why you’re skimming off his shipments?
Dock worker
(stammering) I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(notices a ledger sticking out of the worker’s pocket) Elena—there’s something in his pocket.
Elena (Underworld Broker)
(grinning) Good eye. Grabs the ledger and flips through it. Well, well. Looks like someone’s been double-dipping.
Dock worker
(panicking) I can explain!
Elena (Underworld Broker)
(pressing a knife to his throat) Start talking.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
Thinking)
( How is she so calm while doing that?)
Dock worker
(sobbing) I didn’t have a choice! Marco’s men threatened my family!
Elena (Underworld Broker)
(lowers the knife, her tone icy) Give me names. Now.
Dock worker
(shaking) T-they’re meeting at the warehouse tonight!
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking) Marco again? This guy’s everywhere.
Elena (Underworld Broker)
(to Jamie) Call the boss. He’ll want to hear this.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(listening to MC’s report) Marco’s men at the warehouse? Bold.
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(gritting his teeth) He’s testing us again.
Elena (Underworld Broker)
(casually) Should I pay him a visit?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(shaking his head) No. This time, we’ll send a message.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(hesitant) What kind of message?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(smirking) You’ll find out tonight.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking) Why does that sound ominous?
The Warehouse Confrontation
Marco's men
(surrounding the group, armed)
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(drawing his gun) You think you can outnumber us?
Elena (Underworld Broker)
(grinning) Cute.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking) Why does everyone look so calm?
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(stepping forward, his tone icy) Tell Marco he’s overstayed his welcome.
Marco's Lieutenant
(smirking) You don’t scare us, Liang.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(smirking back) I wasn’t trying to.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(ducking) What the—?!
Elena (Underworld Broker)
(laughing) Oh, I love fireworks.
Kai (Ml Right-Hand Man)
(gruffly) Move. Now.
Victor Alaric (Ml)
(calmly) Burn the rest of the shipment. Let Marco know this is what happens when he crosses me.
Jamie Reid(Mc)
(thinking) This isn’t just business. This is war.
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