Chapter 41 - Collateral Damage
Jack leans back in his chair, eyes closed, as the city lights twinkle outside his office window. The PrimeTech deal was a success, but the tension in his gut refuses to dissipate. Lisa is not the type to back down quietly.
His phone buzzes. It's Chris.
"We've got a problem," Chris says, voice urgent. "Lisa just fired a dozen employees at Horizon Holdings – people she suspects were feeding us intel."
Jack's jaw tightens. "Any casualties?"
"Sophia's safe. But two of her friends were among those fired."
Jack curses under his breath. "What about Marcus?"
"Still in place, but he's getting paranoid. Lisa's bringing in her own enforcers – guys from the underworld. If Marcus slips up, he's done."
[Mission Unlocked: Protect Your Informants. Reward: Crisis Management Lv. 1.]
---
Jack leaves his office and drives to Marcus's penthouse. The streets are dark and empty, the city's nightlife a distant hum. When he arrives, he finds Marcus pacing in the living room, a glass of whiskey shaking in his hand.
"Lisa's onto me," Marcus says, eyes wild. "She's got muscle watching my every move. I can't do this, Jack."
Jack grabs Marcus by the shoulders, forcing him to meet his eyes. "Calm down. You're too valuable to her right now. She won't hurt you – yet."
Marcus swallows hard. "What do you want me to do?"
"Keep feeding her false intel," Jack says. "Make her believe you're still loyal. Meanwhile, I need you to gather everything you can on her enforcers – names, connections, weaknesses."
"And if they catch me?" Marcus asks, voice trembling.
"They won't," Jack says, eyes cold. "Because I won't let them."
[Mission Update: Protect Your Informants. Progress: 30%]
---
Back at the café, Emily is cleaning up for the night. Jack walks in, tension etched across his face.
"Rough night?" Emily asks, noticing his expression.
"You could say that," Jack mutters, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Lisa's starting to crack down."
"She's scared," Emily says, wiping down a table. "She knows you're coming for her."
Jack's eyes darken. "Not scared enough."
Just then, Mia rushes in, phone in hand. "Jack, you need to see this."
She shows him a live video feed – Lisa standing in front of a podium at a press conference. Derek is by her side, his smug grin infuriating.
"I want to assure the public that Horizon Holdings is stronger than ever," Lisa says into the microphone. "And to demonstrate our commitment to growth, we're announcing a major new partnership with none other than PrimeTech Logistics."
Jack's fists clench. "She's bluffing. PrimeTech is ours now."
"Maybe," Mia says, eyes narrowed. "But Lisa's not acting like a woman who just lost a deal."
"Which means she has another move planned," Jack says, his mind racing. "We need to find out what it is – and fast."
[Mission Update: Protect Your Informants. Progress: 60%]
Jack stares at the screen, heart pounding. The war with Lisa is far from over – and the next battle is about to begin.