Unlikely Allies

*Chapter 2: Unlikely Allies*

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The hum of the elevator was deafening as Vincenzo and Ji-ae stood in silence, staring at the descending numbers. Ji-ae’s eyes flicked to the man beside her, studying his calm demeanor. Vincenzo had always exuded confidence, but she knew that beneath that cool exterior was a man with a dangerous edge. She had no idea how far he was willing to go in this fight, and that made her nervous.

“So, what’s the plan?” Ji-ae finally asked, breaking the silence. Her voice was sharp, filled with curiosity and suspicion.

Vincenzo didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes fixed on the elevator doors as if the world around him didn’t matter. “First, we gather information. The Kangs are powerful, yes, but they are not invincible. Every empire has its weaknesses.”

Ji-ae frowned. “You’re not thinking about just tearing down their business empire, are you? This isn’t just about money, Vincenzo. It’s about power, corruption, and a lot of people who would stop at nothing to keep things the way they are.”

Vincenzo turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting hers. There was a cold glint in his eyes. “I know what they are capable of, Ji-ae. Trust me, I’ve seen worse. But if we strike fast and hard, we can disrupt their operations.”

Ji-ae didn’t respond immediately. She had heard rumors about Vincenzo’s ruthless nature, but hearing him speak about it so calmly unsettled her. Still, she had no choice but to trust him—for now. The Kangs had ruined her father’s life, and if aligning with Vincenzo was her best shot at bringing them down, she would follow this dangerous path.

The elevator pinged, signaling their arrival at the top floor. As the doors opened, they stepped out into the sleek, corporate environment of *Kang Industries*. Executives hustled in and out of their offices, unaware that a storm was about to hit.

“I’ll take care of gathering intel from inside,” Ji-ae said as they walked toward the conference room. “But don’t expect me to follow your every move. We’re not exactly partners.”

Vincenzo smirked, his steps purposeful. “Then consider this a business arrangement. You have your interests, and I have mine.”

Just as they reached the door, Ji-ae hesitated. “You’re not here for money or power, are you?”

Vincenzo didn’t break his stride. “No. I’m here for revenge.”

She didn’t ask more questions, but the weight of his words lingered in the air. For the first time, Ji-ae wondered if she was in way over her head.

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*Later that night:*

Vincenzo sat in the shadows of his private office, his fingers tracing the rim of a glass of scotch. The soft clink of ice was the only sound in the room. He had to admit, Ji-ae was more useful than he initially expected, but he couldn’t afford to let his guard down. She was just another pawn in this game—a game he had been playing for years.

His phone buzzed on the table. It was a message from an unknown number: *“Stay out of it, Vincenzo. The Kangs will destroy you.”*

Vincenzo’s eyes narrowed. He put the glass down and stood up, his mind racing. Whoever had sent this message knew too much.

The game had already begun, and he wasn’t about to back down now.

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*End of Chapter 2*

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