Chapter 180: Calculated Risks-3
“We stage a cyberattack on Blackwood Enterprises’ Taiwan headquarters, while another hits the
Ashcroft Pavilion in Singapore.”
Nicholas exhaled sharply. “Wait-what? The Singapore Pavilion is one of our highest-operating
facilities.”
“And Taiwan is one of Blackwood’s most profitable,” Harper said calmly. “That’s the point.”
She leaned back in her chair. “Internally, the attacks are contained. Less than an hour of disruption. No permanent damage. No data loss.”
A pause, the weight of the plan settling over the room.
“Externally, she continued, voice steady, “it will look catastrophic.”
Damien’s eyes narrowed. Nicholas’s jaw tightened.
“Every minute those facilities are down costs millions,” Harper went on. “Losses that demand your
presence. Both of you. Publicly.”
Damien’s understanding clicked into place. His jaw set. “So we travel.”
“Yes,” Harper said. “But you don’t arrive.”
The screen shifted. The two men from earlier reappeared.
“They switch with you mid-route. They land in Taiwan and Singapore.” She looked up. “You don’t.”
Nicholas leaned forward. “Then where do we go?”
Harper met his gaze. “Here.”
Monroe stepped in, arms crossing. “From a distance, maybe. But up close?” His eyes sharpened.” And how about the airport security?”
Harper’s lips curved into a wide, unmistakably proud smile. “Already handled.”
The screen shifted-revealing an Al-rendered image of a human-like mask, eerily precise, down to pores, skin texture, even subtle asymmetry.
“These are high-grade biometric masks,” Harper said lightly. “Medical silicone layered with adaptive polymer. Heat-responsive. Expression-mapped.” She glanced around the room. “I’ve been working on this project for four years.”
Her smile sharpened. “Perfected it two nights ago. Timing, right?”
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She tapped again. The image morphed-one face becoming Damien Blackwood, the other
Nicholas Ashcroft.
“Once worn, those two men won’t just resemble you,” she said. “They’ll be you. Facial structure, micro-movements, voice sync-everything.”
Monroe frowned. “And the airport biometric scanners?”
Harper didn’t miss a beat. “Each mask is implanted with an identity chip. When scanned, it registers as Damien Blackwood and Nicholas Ashcroft.” She shrugged. “I already hacked their system. Passports, biometrics, travel logs-all clean. Already taken care of.”
Nicholas stared at the screen. “… That’s unsettling.”
Harper beamed. “Thank you.”
Damien exhaled slowly. “So the world sees us land.”
“Yes,” Harper said. “Just not you.”
A quiet settled over the room.
“As far as Volkov is concerned,” she continued, “your travel is validated. You boarded. You arrived. Because, as far as the world knows, you were attacked as well.”
Eleonor spoke softly, sharp as a blade. “Which creates the illusion that he isn’t the only one under fire.”
Harper nodded. “Exactly.”
She tapped again. Another marker appeared.
“I’ll stage a third incident-minor, but visible-at one of our allied locations. Enough to sell the narrative.”
Her gaze lifted, steady and unflinching. “Just like Grandma Eleonor said-we’ll create the illusion that all five families are targeted, not just him.”
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.