No matter how ridiculous Rajad's actions appeared, the reality was that he wielded considerable resources and occupied a high-ranking position. Having someone like that scheming against him in the shadows was a persistent problem for Castle.
According to the intelligence Jarvis had gathered, while Rajad wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, the resources at his disposal meant that dismissing him entirely could backfire. After all, there's a saying: "You can defend against a thousand days of thieves, but not a single day of theft."
It was precisely to avoid dealing with such relentless adversaries that Castle had reached out to Stan Aviation's senior leadership. In an open and honest discussion, he made it clear that the technology in his possession was beyond their reach. The goal was to deter any further attempts to exploit him.
Who would have thought that despite reaching an agreement with the top brass at Stan Aviation, someone like Rajad would still come after him?
And now, Rajad wasn't just plotting—he was planning to infiltrate Castle's estate to steal his technology.
"Does this idiot seriously think my estate is so easy to break into?" Castle muttered as he reviewed the information Jarvis had compiled. "Even Ethan Hunt and his 'Impossible Missions Force' couldn't pull it off. Where does Rajad get the confidence that his so-called 'master thieves' will succeed?"
Shaking his head, Castle picked up the phone and called Neal, who was on high alert due to the stock market's unusual fluctuations.
Castle's reason for contacting Neal was simple: based on Rajad's plans, there was a high probability he would approach Charlie Croker for the heist. Whether or not Charlie accepted, this posed a potential risk.
Coincidentally, Neal not only knew Charlie but had worked with him in Venice during a heist involving gold bars embossed with ballerinas. With Castle's intel, Neal had also helped thwart Charlie's partner Steve from betraying the team.
Castle's plan was to have Neal contact Charlie and persuade him to refuse Rajad's proposal. This would eliminate any chance of complications arising from the scheme.
Though Castle didn't know Charlie personally, he trusted Neal to handle the matter effectively. Neal's connections and persuasive skills made him the ideal intermediary to ensure Rajad's ambitions were thwarted at the root.
After explaining the situation to Neal, Castle received an assurance that he would immediately reach out to Charlie and warn him of the dangers involved.
Castle felt a sense of relief. Neal was reliable, and his intervention would likely be enough to foil Rajad's plan—for now. But the issue wasn't entirely resolved. Neal and Charlie were exceptional, but they weren't the only skilled thieves in the world.
As long as Rajad remained fixated on Castle's technology, it was only a matter of time before another attempt would be made.
For Castle, who often spent time away from New York, this lingering threat was far from ideal. He wanted to enjoy his life, pursue his personal projects, and occasionally play the role of a shadowy mastermind stirring up some excitement. Dealing with people like Rajad, who viewed him as an easy target, was a waste of time and energy.
The more Castle thought about it, the more frustrated he became. His rapid rise to prominence had made him a magnet for opportunists, each one more ambitious than the last.
Though Castle had strong ties to local law enforcement in New York, the police were powerless against the kind of corporate and state-backed forces that sought to exploit his technology. Even his relationships with America's top defense contractors were tenuous, built solely on the value of his innovations.
While Northrop Grumman might offer conditional support—having come to understand Castle's capabilities after a previous debacle with Japanese operatives—Lockheed Martin was a different story. They were opportunists at heart and would sooner exploit Castle's predicament than lend a helping hand.
Castle briefly considered turning to the White House for help. After all, he had invested in the current administration and had a friendly rapport with the President. But the idea of involving the President in such a personal matter felt absurd.
The only other option was to tap into his underground network—a resource Castle had intentionally distanced himself from. He wasn't about to start running to his "underground dad" every time he faced a problem. Besides, how could a criminal organization compete with state-backed enterprises like Stan Aviation?
Frustrated, Castle muttered, "Why do I keep attracting these fools who see me as an easy target?"
He continued brainstorming ways to handle Rajad while updating Neal about the situation. Neal promised to get in touch with Charlie immediately and dissuade him from getting involved, noting that he would emphasize the risks involved.
Castle trusted Neal, but he also knew that Rajad wouldn't give up easily. As long as the man harbored ambitions of acquiring Castle's technology, another scheme was bound to follow.
For now, Castle ordered Jarvis to monitor Rajad closely. His irritation was palpable as he realized how this distraction was preventing him from focusing on other matters.
Even so, Castle maintained his composure. He headed to his underground supercomputer lab, where Gianna and John Wick joined him. They were greeted by Ramsey and "Little Fat," who had already prepared real-time feeds tracking key players in the unfolding Miami drama.
On the screens were live updates from the Miami police, who had bolstered security after Castle's anonymous tip, as well as James Bond's current location and the whereabouts of Le Chiffre's operative tasked with sabotaging the Sky Aviation prototype.
Castle wasn't worried. The combination of heightened security, relentless pursuit by Bond, and Castle's own preparations made it nearly impossible for the saboteur to succeed.
Instead of his usual boisterous presence, Castle sat quietly in a chair, deep in thought. The question of how to deter Rajad lingered in his mind.
Sitting nearby, John Wick noticed Castle's unusual demeanor. "What's with Rick tonight?" he asked Gianna. "He's not acting like himself."
Gianna sighed. "He's got something on his mind. Probably that idiot Rajad."
John tilted his head. "The guy from India? He's really getting to him, huh?"
Gianna nodded. "More than you think."
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