Chapter 38 - Uncovering the Network
Back in his office, Jack studies the data Mia gathered from Sophia. It's a tangled web of offshore accounts, dummy corporations, and suspicious transactions. Lisa has been busy – and not just with Derek.
"Look at this," Mia says, pointing to a series of payments. "These transactions are all linked to the same shell company – Trident Holdings."
"Trident Holdings?" Jack frowns. "Never heard of it."
"You wouldn't," Mia says. "It's a front. I traced it to a bank in the Cayman Islands. Guess who owns it?"
"Lisa?" Jack asks.
Mia shakes her head. "No. It's registered under the name 'Marcus Lin.'"
Jack's expression darkens. Marcus Lin – a notorious venture capitalist with a reputation for buying failing companies, gutting them, and selling off the parts for profit.
"Lisa's in bed with Marcus Lin?" Jack mutters, hands clenching into fists. "That explains how she's funding Derek's takeover."
[Mission Update: Uncover Derek's true backers. Progress: 80%]
"And there's more," Mia continues. "Sophia managed to get a meeting with one of her old contacts – a financial analyst who still works under Lisa. He's willing to talk, but he wants compensation."
"How much?" Jack asks.
"Fifty grand," Mia says. "He wants it wired to a numbered account before he talks."
Jack grimaces. That's a lot of money, especially with the café's cash flow already stretched thin. But he needs that information.
[New Mission Unlocked: Secure the Analyst's Testimony. Reward: Insider Trading Lv. 1.]
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Two hours later, Jack meets Chris at a high-end hotel bar. The place is dimly lit, with soft jazz playing in the background. Chris hands Jack a USB drive.
"What's this?" Jack asks.
"Information on Marcus Lin," Chris says. "I did some digging. The guy's dirty – money laundering, racketeering, even a few suspected arsons to collect insurance payouts."
Jack's eyes narrow. "And he's working with Lisa?"
"Looks that way," Chris says, leaning closer. "But here's the kicker – Marcus has a weakness. He's a compulsive gambler. He owes half a million to some very dangerous people in Macau."
Jack's lips curve into a slow, dangerous smile. "So, if we can squeeze him..."
"We might just get him to turn on Lisa," Chris finishes.
[Mission Update: Uncover Derek's true backers. Progress: 100%]
Jack pockets the USB drive, feeling a surge of adrenaline. The pieces are falling into place. Lisa and Derek think they're untouchable – but they're about to learn the hard way that no one crosses Jack Carter and gets away with it.