CHAPTER 20
The Masquerade Party — Night
The event was held in a luxurious hilltop estate—lights glittering against the Colombian skyline, violins playing beneath marble arches, and wealthy criminals blending with diplomats behind gold masks.
Xynra scanned their surroundings from Li's earpiece.
DISGUISES:
General Li Xuefang — disguised as a wealthy Colombian heiress with emerald jewelry, in a sleek navy suit and pants—elegantly bossy but hiding two weapons and zero mercy.
María — as the translator hired for the Ambassador Silva.
Ryan — black tux, gold accent chain, moving with loud confidence. Masquerading as an American billionaire who laughs too loudly.
Archive — disguised as a technician in the security room.
Dr. Stephanie — artsy European gallery curator persona.
Ryan: (whispering) Man, why I gotta wear shoes that hurt more than gunshots?
Archive: (Whispering) I'm so nervous.
General Li ignored those voices through the secretive earbud completely.
She scanned the crowd—cold, calculating.
Then Xynra's voice vibrated in her ear.
Xynra: Silent Case 1-4V detected. Ambassador Silva is approaching the negotiation chamber.
Inside the Negotiation Chamber
The negotiation chamber was a circular private room lined with mirrored walls—perfect for hiding cameras, terrible for hiding intentions. Ambassador Silva sat at the head of a glass table, the Silent Case 1-4V resting beside him like a loyal pet.
Xuefang's team filtered about with their disguises:
Silva began the meeting.
Ambassador Silva: Let's discuss final pricing—
María, seated beside him, quietly studied the case. Her expression never detectable. The team individually watched the meeting through Maria's contact lens.
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Ambassador Silva: (Ambitious laughter) Senhor Cortex, sua proposta despertou meu interesse.
Politician Cortex: 😆😆Я же говорил тебе, что я лучший партнер для тебя.
María: (To Mr Silva) Ele afirma ser o parceiro ideal.
Ambassador Silva: Claro, com certeza.
Mr Hukes: (With a bang on the table) ナンセンスだ.これは偏見だ💢!.
Other Dealers: (Agreed).
María: (To Mr Silva) Ele é contra a sua decisão.
Ambassador Silva: O quê?
TRANSLATION:
Ambassador Silva: (Ambitious laughter) Mr Cortex, your bid caught my interest.
Politician Cortex: Haha. I told you I was the best man to partner with.
María: He says that he is the best man to partner with.
Ambassador Silva: Of course, certainly so.
Mr Hukes: (With a bang on the table) Nonsense. This is partiality 💢!
Other dealers: (Agreed).
María: (To Mr Silva) He is against your decision.
Ambassador Silva: What?
Ambassador Silva gestured at the guards to handle Mr Hukes.
General Li: (Mumbled) Everyone on stand by.
Just as Mr Silva is about handling Silent Case 1-4V to Mr Hukes, Li Xuefang muttered...
General Li: Now.
Ryan reacted instantly.
Ryan: OH LAWD! Y'all tryna scam me? For real? 'Cause if you are— that is NOT finna fly wit' me! So what— y'all tryna get racist now, huh?!
Dealer: Sir, please calm down—
Ryan: Man, don't tell me to calm down! Don't— do NOT tell me to calm down! (To the gamblers) Ain't I just askin' to be treated right? I ain't wrong, right?
Fellow Gamblers: No.
Earbud (General Li): Diversion target passing by you, Cross.
Ryan: So explain to me… why I'm the one bein' cheated?! Matter fact— ain't NOBODY payin' no more!
He stumbled into Mr. Theodore, a popular influencer sending the glass of wine in his hand, all way crashing.
Ryan: Aye, my bad, bro. I ain't see you standin' there.
Mr. Theodore: This demonstrates that you Black men are animalistic and lack order 🧐 .
Ryan: …What you just say to me?
Mr. Theodore: I am certain you heard me.
Ryan: I'll— I'll— I'm 'boutta snatch yo' whole scalp off!!
He pounced on Mr. Theodore and chaos broke out.
Using the chance, Mr. Hukes broke free from the guards and lunged at Ambassador Silva. War erupted in the Negotiation Room. General Li barged in to assist María amidst the sudden gunfire.
Mr. Theodore grabbed Ryan by the collar.
Mr. Theodore: I'll kill you!
Ryan: (Screamed, but went serious) You ain't.
He knocked Mr. Theodore out with a clean strike.
Ryan: (Adjusting his sleeve cuff) Okay, playtime's over.
As he lifted his head, several men raised their guns at him from across the room.
Ryan: Aw heck nah—
They fired, and he barely took cover behind an overturned table.
Ryan: Archive, activate my weapon!
Archive: Give me some seconds.
Ryan: Give you—?! Yo' tryna get me killed?!
A bullet slammed into the pillar beside him.
Ryan: (Yelling at the shooters) Will you damn calm down?!!
In the Negotiation Room
One guard reached for his weapon.
Wrong move.
Xuefang's fingers slid across the guard's wrist—just once, lightly—
and suddenly he dropped the gun, screaming silently as his hand spasmed.
Another guard lunged.
Xuefang pivoted, grabbed his collar, and slammed him against the mirrored wall.
The mirror cracked.
The man didn't move again.
She moved like she had choreographed every motion hours ago.
A third guard rushed her with a Ion Blade.
She stepped aside, tapped his elbow, dislocated it, caught the falling blade, and pinned him to the floor with it—without even wrinkling her outfit.
Even Archive whispered,
Archive: Remind me never to annoy her…
Amid the chaos, María stepped forward with calm precision.
She crouched beside Silva and whispered,
María: Embaixador… pare de resistir. Você foi traído. O comprador lá fora pretende matá-lo após a transação.
Silva froze.
Ambassador Silva: O quê? Isso não é...
TRANSLATION:
María: Ambassador… stop resisting. You were betrayed. The buyer outside intends to kill you after the exchange.
Silva froze.
Ambassador Silva: What? That's not—
She gently touched his cheek, imitating concern.
María: You didn't know? Poor man… that case was never meant to leave you alive.
General Li: Neither do I intend to keep him alive.
She pointed her gun down at him. Her voice wrapped around him like soft poison.
He swallowed, shaking.
Ambassador Silva: O-O que você quer?
TRANSLATION :
Ambassador Silva: W-what do you want?
María: Simple. Hand me the case, and you might walk out breathing. (Smiled).
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EXTRA
Who is your favorite character so far?