The soft beep from Clara's transmitter echoed faintly through the vault-like room.
Her pulse thundered in her ears.
She waited for him to turn fully — to grab her throat, to strike, to expose her.
But instead…
He simply looked at her with mild curiosity.
As if he'd heard nothing.
As if the beep had never happened.
He closed the briefcase, locking it neatly.
"Come along," he said casually. "We leave within the hour."
Clara stared, confused. He heard it. He must have. So why—
Then it hit her.
He's pretending.
Outside — In the Van
Daniel frowned. "The signal cut for a moment. Something's wrong."
Ryo stiffened. "You think she was discovered?"
Leo shook his head. "If she was caught, they would've ripped it off immediately. Instead… the signal is still transmitting. Just… weaker. Like it's being dampened."
Daniel's eyes hardened.
"This isn't a detection. It's a warning."
Ryo looked back. "Meaning?"
"Meaning," Daniel said grimly, "he knows we're listening. And he wants us to know… he knows."
Back to Clara
They exited the vault, walking toward the convoy of armored vehicles waiting in the courtyard.
Guards lined the pathway like silent statues.
Clara glanced sideways.
The mastermind's eyes met hers.
Still smiling.
Still calm.
He's not stopping me.He's not confronting me.He's… letting it happen.
Which meant only one thing:
She wasn't just a spy anymore. She was bait.
The Mastermind's Private Thoughts
He watched Clara walk slightly ahead, her shoulders tense despite her best attempt to appear composed.
A faint smirk formed on his lips.
"Run to him, little messenger," he mused silently."Lead him right to me."
His eyes gleamed with cold anticipation.
"After all… the fun isn't in the escape. It's in the welcome."