The sound of gunfire, explosions, and fighting gradually subsided, and the chaos within the abandoned military base settled into silence. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder and blood; broken walls, twisted rebar, and scattered shell casings all bore witness to the fierce battle that had just taken place. John and Phyllis, both with varying degrees of injury, their tactical suits stained with dust and blood, nonetheless radiated an exceptionally bright and determined light—the unique glow of victors.
The "Shadow" organization's defense system had completely collapsed under Lynn's precise assault. Their communications and surveillance were cut, plunging them into disarray. The Yafei family's elite team surged in like a tide, quickly bringing the situation under control. Kevin, leading Black Panther and Blade, swiftly eliminated the remaining resistance with overwhelming force, while Black established a tight perimeter, ensuring no enemy could escape.
John and Phyllis walked side by side through the ravaged corridors, each step imbued with a heavy sense of purpose. Their destination was the deepest part of the base, the command center, where "Shadow"—the leader of the "Shadow" organization who had hidden behind the scenes for years—awaited them.
As they pushed open the heavy alloy door, they were met with a relatively intact space. On the massive screens, complex encrypted codes and global maps were frozen, showing the "Shadow" organization's once vast network. A figure in a black robe stood silently before the screens, their back to John and Phyllis, as if awaiting their fate.
"You've finally come, John Yafei," a low, hoarse voice broke the silence, carrying a hint of imperceptible weariness, yet still filled with sinister coldness and mockery. The figure slowly turned, revealing his true face. When Phyllis saw that face, her pupils constricted sharply, and her heart pounded. An unbelievable chill shot from her feet to the top of her head.
The face belonged to none other than... another elder of the Yafei family, who had once appeared neutral and wise in board meetings—Elizabeth Yafei's brother, Vincent Yafei!
"It's you?!" John's eyes instantly turned as cold as a blade, filled with betrayed fury and disbelief. He had believed Vincent was one of the few progressive thinkers in the family who supported his reforms, never imagining he was the leader of the "Shadow" organization!
"Yes, it's me." A twisted smile appeared on Vincent Yafei's face, his eyes filled with fanaticism and madness. "Five years ago, I used that accident to try and seize control of the Yafei family, but you survived and took everything from me! I exhausted every means to suppress your memory, to make you my puppet, but you still broke free! John, you truly are a monster!"
"Do you think you succeeded?" Phyllis cut in coldly, her eyes blazing with anger. "You exploited the family's trust, betrayed its interests. You are the true monster!" She recalled Vincent's seemingly progressive but secretly malicious proposals during board meetings, and his seemingly supportive but actually manipulative actions towards John; everything now made sense.
"The victor takes all!" Vincent Yafei burst into maniacal laughter. He suddenly pulled a remote control from his pocket, a desperate madness flashing in his eyes. "Even if I lose, I won't let you off easy! This base, and the entire underground network of City H, will perish with me!"
"Stop him!" John roared, he and Phyllis lunging forward almost simultaneously.
Phyllis was faster. Leveraging her agent's agility and precise judgment of vital points, she delivered a chop to Vincent Yafei's wrist. The remote control clattered to the floor with a crisp sound. John followed close behind, delivering a heavy punch to Vincent Yafei's abdomen. The latter instantly curled into a ball, letting out a muffled groan of pain.
"Lynn, deactivate all detonation devices!" John immediately commanded through his earpiece.
"Doing it, Boss! 'The Sage's' system has been completely breached by me, all detonation procedures are being disarmed!" Lynn's voice carried a hint of excitement and urgency.
A few seconds later, Lynn's voice rang out again, with the joy of victory: "Success! All detonation devices have been disarmed! Crisis averted!"
John and Phyllis exchanged glances, both letting out a sigh of relief. The crisis was finally over.
Vincent Yafei was taken away by the Yafei family's security team. What awaited him was severe legal punishment and complete expulsion from the family. This long-running conspiracy finally came to an end at this moment.
Sunlight streamed through the damaged cracks in the base's ceiling, casting a golden glow over John and Phyllis's weary figures. Both were injured—Phyllis had a gash on her arm, and blood seeped from John's side—but they paid no mind.
John held Phyllis tightly, pulling her slender yet resilient body fully into his embrace. His voice was hoarse and tired, but filled with an unprecedented sincerity and strength: "We did it, Phyllis. We won."
Phyllis buried her face in his chest, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart. That heartbeat was the melody she had longed for these past five years, now finally truly thumping in her ear. Her eyes were moist, her voice thick with emotion: "Yes... we won."
John gently stroked Phyllis's hair, feeling her soft strands intertwine around his fingers. His heart swelled with immense relief and contentment. The nightmare of five years ago, five years of pain and torment, completely dissipated at this moment. Phyllis, my Phyllis. You are the only sunlight in my life. All the pain, all the waiting, it was all worth it. From now on, he would never let her out of his sight again, but this time, it was true protection, not control. He felt Phyllis's real presence in his arms; that warmth and realness let him know that all his efforts, all his sacrifices, were for this moment.
Phyllis looked up, her tear-blurred eyes gazing at John. She knew her John had finally returned.