Chapter 16 – A Dangerous Reward

Lyra had barely sent the message before her phone buzzed.

Incoming Call: Ethan Vaughn.

She hesitated for a second, then picked up.

"Efficient work, Miss Xian."

Ethan’s voice was smooth, dark. Amused.

"Didn’t take you for someone who enjoys watching people burn," he continued.

Lyra smirked, leaning back in her chair. "You wanted results. I gave you results."

A low chuckle. "That you did."

There was a pause, and then—

"Come to my office. Now."

Click.

He hung up before she could respond.

Lyra exhaled slowly, gripping her phone tighter.

Something about his tone felt different this time.

Like he had just decided exactly what she was worth to him.

By the time she arrived at Ethan’s office, the tension in the air was thick.

He was waiting for her, leaning against his desk, watching her carefully.

Lyra shut the door behind her and crossed her arms. "You really like summoning people, don’t you?"

Ethan smirked. "Only when they intrigue me."

She ignored the way his words sent a thrill down her spine.

Instead, she focused on what mattered. "You called me here for a reason. Get to the point."

Ethan pushed off the desk and walked over to her, closer than usual.

Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he pulled a small USB drive from his pocket.

And held it out.

Lyra’s breath caught.

She didn’t have to ask what it was.

Red Phantom’s files.

"You wanted information," Ethan said smoothly. "You earned it."

Lyra stared at the USB for a moment.

This was what she had been waiting for.

So why did it feel too easy?

She took it, keeping her expression neutral.

"That’s it?" she asked. "No strings attached?"

Ethan’s lips curled slightly. "I don’t need strings. Because you’re already tangled in mine."

Her stomach tightened.

This man was too dangerous.

And worse?

He was right.

She was already too deep in his world.

But that didn’t mean she would let him win.

She forced a smirk. "Then I guess we’ll see who gets tangled first."

Ethan chuckled. "I look forward to it."

Their gazes held for a second too long.

Then, without another word, Lyra turned and walked out.

The moment the door shut behind her, she gripped the USB tightly.

She had what she needed.

But she wasn’t naive.

This wasn’t the end.

It was just the beginning.

And the real war with Ethan Vaughn?

Hadn’t even started yet.

Lyra plugged the USB into her secured laptop, her fingers tapping impatiently as the files decrypted.

Her heart pounded as the first document loaded.

And then—she froze.

Because the name at the top of the file wasn’t just Red Phantom.

It was hers.

LYRA XIAN – CLASSIFIED FILE

Her blood ran cold.

Ethan Vaughn had known all along.

Her identity. Her connection to Red Phantom. Everything.

And yet—he had given her this USB anyway.

Why?

A chill ran down her spine as a single thought hit her.

Because this wasn’t a reward.

It was a trap.

Her hands clenched into fists.

Fine.

If Ethan Vaughn wanted to play games?

Then she’d make sure he lost.

No matter the cost.

---

End of Chapter 16

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***