Chapter 17 – The Trap She Walked Into

Lyra stared at the screen, her pulse thudding against her ribs.

LYRA XIAN – CLASSIFIED FILE

Her name sat boldly at the top, mixed with Red Phantom’s data, alongside confidential reports—Ethan Vaughn’s private investigation into her life.

Her stomach twisted.

This wasn’t a reward.

This wasn’t him handing over information to gain her trust.

This was a warning.

He knew.

Maybe not everything. Maybe not that she was Shadow Ghost.

But he knew enough.

She clenched her fists. Damn him.

She should have expected this.

Ethan Vaughn never gave anything away for free.

And now?

Now, he was waiting for her to react.

Waiting to see if she’d panic.

If she’d slip up.

If she’d run.

But he had underestimated her.

She wouldn’t run.

She’d make him wish he never set his sights on her in the first place.

---

The Next Morning –

Lyra walked into Vaughn Industries with her usual calm.

She wasn’t sure how, but she felt his presence before she saw him.

And sure enough—Ethan was waiting for her by the elevators.

Dressed in his signature all-black suit, his sleeves rolled up slightly, revealing strong forearms, he looked relaxed—but his eyes told a different story.

He was watching her. Studying her.

She smirked, stepping inside the elevator as he did the same.

"Early morning stalking, Mr. Vaughn?" she mused, hitting the button for the executive floor.

Ethan chuckled, the sound low and knowing. "You wound me, Miss Xian. I was merely enjoying the morning view."

Their gazes locked in the reflection of the elevator doors.

She tilted her head. "And what do you see?"

His lips curled. "A very interesting game piece."

Her pulse spiked—but she didn’t show it.

She turned slightly, facing him fully. "You handed me classified files. I assume you wanted me to see them."

Ethan didn’t deny it.

Instead, he leaned in slightly.

"Tell me, Miss Xian," he murmured. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

Her fingers twitched. Careful, Lyra.

She held his gaze, never blinking.

"Not yet," she said smoothly. "But I have a feeling I will soon."

Ethan exhaled a soft chuckle, the heat in his gaze making it clear he wasn’t buying her act.

The elevator doors slid open.

But before she could step out, his hand shot out—gripping her wrist.

She froze.

Ethan leaned in, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

"Make sure you know what you’re playing with, Lyra."

A warning.

A promise.

Then, just as quickly, he released her, stepping out of the elevator like nothing had happened.

Leaving Lyra standing there, pulse hammering, knowing she had just crossed into even more dangerous territory.

---

That Night –

Lyra locked herself in her apartment, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

She had spent years staying hidden, avoiding anyone who could link her to her past.

But Ethan Vaughn had dug into her anyway.

And now?

It was her turn.

She hacked into his personal network, bypassing layers of encryption—digging for whatever secrets he was hiding.

And then—she found it.

A file.

"PROJECT PHANTOM."

Her stomach dropped.

This wasn’t just about her.

This wasn’t just about Ethan chasing Red Phantom.

This was something much bigger.

Something she wasn’t supposed to find.

Her phone buzzed violently.

A blocked number.

She hesitated, then answered.

Silence.

Then—

"You shouldn’t have done that."

The line went dead.

Lyra’s blood turned to ice.

Someone had just found out what she had done.

And now?

They were coming for her.

---

End of Chapter 17

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