Lines Blurred, Traces Found (Published Under Ukiyoto Publishing)

Chapter 14: Midnight Reckoning

Midnight Reckoning

Maya glided effortlessly through the crowded room, her charm and poise disarming even the most hardened individuals. She laughed and chatted with Leonid's allies, effortlessly building rapport. Nearby, Leonid's men watched, their expressions softening in her presence. Maya's ability to connect with others was a valuable asset, one Leonid had leveraged to further his interests.

As she mingled, Maya subtly probed for information, gathering intel on Leonid's operations. Her FBI handlers would appreciate the insight. "Vladimir, tell me about your work in Moscow," Maya said, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Vladimir, a burly man with a gruff demeanor, smiled, flattered by her attention. "We're expanding our influence, Ms. Anderson. Leonid's vision is revolutionary."

Maya's gaze locked onto his, her expression intent. "I'm fascinated. Do share more."

Vladimir leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "We're planning to infiltrate the Eastern European market, Maya. Leonid's negotiated a deal with a powerful Ukrainian oligarch."

Maya's eyes widened, her mind racing. This was significant intel. "But what about Champ's organization?" she asked, feigning concern.

Vladimir's expression turned cautious. "Let's just say... Champ's focus will be elsewhere." Maya's instincts flared. Was Leonid planning to betray Champ? Suddenly, Vladimir's eyes darted toward the entrance. "Excuse me, Ms. Anderson. I need to attend to something."

Maya turned to see a man approaching, his expression tense. This man's aura was distinctly different from the others; an air of quiet confidence surrounded him. His choice of tuxedo was stylish, perfectly accentuating his broad shoulders and chiseled posture. "What a shame, Gabriel," Maya said, her voice laced with sarcasm, "Whenever there are important negotiations, that's when you show up." She rolled her eyes, a hint of annoyance flickering across her face. Gabriel's timely appearances often signaled trouble.

"My dad informed me about this occasion," Gabriel said, his eyes locked onto Maya's. "He and my dad talk to each other, as you know. I'm not crashing this party uninvited; you should know that, Maya Anderson." He accepted a glass of wine from the approaching waiter and gulped it down, his gaze never wavering. "I thought you'd distanced yourself from our... extracurricular activities," Gabriel said, shaking his head in amusement. "Yet, here you are, mingling with Leonid's associates."

Maya's expression turned icy. "My presence here doesn't concern you, Gabriel."

Gabriel chuckled, his smile laced with sarcasm. "Oh, but it does. You see, our families' interests are intertwined. What affects one, affects the other."

Maya's eyes flashed, her frown deepening. "Excuse me?" she spat, her voice venomous, as if insulted by Gabriel's words. "If you weren't the son of the former syndicate leader, I would have killed you long ago."

Her hand instinctively went to her hip, where a dagger was concealed beneath her elegant gown. Gabriel didn't flinch, his gaze fixed on some distant point. "Then do it," he said, his tone detached, almost bored. "I can fight even in front of a lot of people; let's just see how far you can take it."

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as the two locked eyes, their animosity palpable. "Maya..." Gabriel's voice trailed off as someone suddenly interrupted their conversation. He turned to see a stunning woman, her beauty captivating in his eyes, though others might not share his opinion. Hyunjie's gaze met Gabriel's, but she remained silent, her focus on Maya.

Without a word, Hyunjie approached Maya, her expression urgent. "Champ needs you; he has something for you to do. He told me something that I have to do," she said, her voice low and mysterious. Maya didn't respond, her eyes still fixed on Gabriel, a silent warning lingering in her gaze. Then, she turned and walked away, leaving Gabriel and Hyunjie behind.