Chapter 13 – Stealing from the Devil

Lyra stared at the sent message on her screen.

"Understood."

It was a simple word.

But it meant she had just crossed a line she could never go back from.

She wasn’t just playing Ethan Vaughn’s game anymore.

She was about to betray him.

Her mission was clear: Find out why Ethan had been hunting Red Phantom. Steal whatever files he had.

But breaking into Vaughn Industries' system from inside was dangerous. Too dangerous.

Because Ethan was watching her.

And if she got caught?

She wasn’t sure she’d survive it.

Lyra spent the next few days carefully studying Vaughn Industries' security system.

Every employee had clearance levels, and Ethan’s personal database was locked under the highest level of protection.

There were only two ways to get in.

Direct access from Ethan’s personal system.

An encrypted passcode known only to him.

In short, impossible.

Unless…

She got close enough to steal it.

Lyra exhaled slowly, pushing her laptop aside.

She was going to have to do the one thing she swore she’d never do.

She had to seduce the enemy.

The next morning, Lyra arrived at work dressed a little differently.

Her usual sharp, no-nonsense look was replaced with something softer—a fitted white blouse, sleek black skirt, and just enough perfume to linger in the air.

She wasn’t stupid.

Ethan Vaughn was a man who thrived on control—but also on temptation.

If he thought she was falling into his orbit, he would let his guard down.

And when he did?

She’d strike.

She walked into his office, calm and collected.

Ethan was behind his desk, eyes flicking up as she entered.

And for the first time—he hesitated.

Just for a fraction of a second.

Then his lips curled into a smirk.

"New look, Miss Xian?"

Lyra tilted her head. "I figured if I’m going to work under you, I might as well look the part."

A slow, dark amusement flickered in his eyes. "Careful. You almost sound like you’re enjoying this."

She stepped closer. "And what if I am?"

His gaze sharpened—assessing, intrigued.

Good.

Let him think she was slipping.

Let him think he was winning.

Because soon, she’d be the one taking everything from him.

That evening, Vaughn Industries was hosting a corporate gala—one of the biggest business events of the year.

Lyra knew Ethan would be distracted.

It was the perfect chance to make her move.

The plan was simple:

Get Ethan to drink.

Make sure his security team was occupied.

Steal his passcode.

She walked into the event like she belonged there—her black gown hugging her curves, her every movement calculated.

She didn’t have to search for Ethan.

Because the moment she stepped inside, his eyes were already on her.

She approached him, lips curving into a small smirk. "You clean up well, Mr. Vaughn."

Ethan chuckled, offering her a glass of wine. "You’re full of surprises, Miss Xian."

She clinked her glass against his.

"You have no idea."

He held her gaze as he drank.

And Lyra knew—

The game was officially on.

Two hours into the gala, Ethan was relaxed.

Not drunk—he was too careful for that.

But just enough that his attention wasn’t fully on her.

Perfect.

Lyra excused herself from the crowd, slipping away toward Ethan’s private office.

She had exactly five minutes before someone noticed she was gone.

She typed in a bypass code and slipped inside.

The room was dark, silent.

She went straight to his personal laptop.

One problem.

It was locked with a six-digit passcode.

Her fingers flew across the keyboard, trying to override it—

But a red warning flashed.

"ATTEMPT FAILED. SYSTEM ALERT SENT."

Her stomach dropped.

Shit.

She had just triggered an alarm.

Footsteps sounded behind her.

She turned sharply—

Only to come face-to-face with Ethan Vaughn himself.

And he did not look pleased.

Ethan didn’t speak immediately.

He simply closed the door behind him, sealing them inside.

Then, slowly, he stepped forward.

"You just made a very big mistake, Lyra."

Her pulse pounded.

But she didn’t flinch.

"Did I?" she asked smoothly, masking the panic creeping into her chest.

Ethan stopped just inches away, tilting his head.

"You’re bold, I’ll give you that," he murmured. "But tell me—were you actually planning on getting out of here?"

Her mind raced.

She needed an excuse. A way out.

Then, suddenly, she did the one thing Ethan didn’t expect.

She smirked.

And stepped even closer.

Her voice was soft, almost teasing. "Who said I was trying to leave?"

For the first time, Ethan hesitated.

And in that moment, Lyra knew—

She had just flipped the game back in her favor.

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End of Chapter 13

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