Chapter 68: Miami

"Yes, sir."

Elena's voice was cold and mechanical, completely different from her gentle tone during the day.

"Target confirmed. Leo slipped up tonight — he said they have a mole in the military."

"This means he's already picked up some intel."

"I recommend we relocate our asset in the military immediately."

A hoarse voice came from the other end of the line.

"Well done. Keep monitoring the Vanderbilt family."

"Yes."

"And..."

The voice paused.

"That Rhys — is he still useful?"

"Yes."

Elena's voice showed no emotion. "This idiot does whatever I say. I've already successfully driven a wedge between him and Sophia. Give me one more week, and I'll get him to hand over all of the Vanderbilt family's core intelligence."

"Good."

The voice said with satisfaction.

"But... Leo is in trouble."

"He was testing me all night."

Elena's tone grew serious. "This man is dangerous. I recommend we eliminate him as soon as possible."

"We will."

The voice gave a cold laugh. "Mourner is already making preparations. Soon, Leo will be gone."

"Understood. I'll continue the mission."

"Remember, don't blow your cover."

"Yes."

The call ended.

Through the earpiece came the sound of Elena letting out a long breath.

Then she muttered to herself:

"Idiot... you really think I'd fall for a loser like you?"

"When the mission's over, I'll kill you with my own hands."

Her voice was full of mockery and pure killing intent.

"Just like I killed the real Elena Mason..."

Inside the car, Rhys's hands trembled as the earpiece slipped from his grasp, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"No... impossible... this can't be..."

"Elena... she's not like that... she's so gentle, so kind..."

"Rhys."

Sophia reached out and gripped Rhys's shoulder, her voice more serious than ever.

"This is the truth."

"No..."

Rhys violently pushed away Sophia's hand, his voice becoming hysterical. "This must be a setup! You must have found someone to imitate her voice!"

"You just don't want me to be with her!"

"Enough!"

Sophia slammed her hand on the seat.

"How long are you going to keep fooling yourself?"

"I'm not!"

Rhys shouted, eyes blazing red. "Elena's not that kind of person! She's not!"

"Rhys Vanderbilt."

Leo suddenly spoke, his voice low and cold. "Do you know where the real Elena Mason is?"

"What?"

Rhys froze.

"Three months ago, the real Elena Mason went missing while traveling in Europe."

Leo turned his head, looking at Rhys with icy eyes.

"Her body was found in a valley in the Alps."

"Twenty-three stab wounds all over her body. Tortured to death."

"And your girlfriend..."

Leo paused, speaking deliberately.

"is the one who killed her."

"No... no..."

Rhys trembled all over, collapsing into his seat.

"She killed the real Elena, then stole her identity."

Leo continued. "Her student ID, social media accounts, even her daily habits... she copied everything perfectly."

"Then..."

A glint of coldness flashed in Leo's eyes.

"She got close to you to steal intelligence from the Vanderbilt family."

"From the very beginning, she was using you."

"Stop..."

Rhys covered his face, his shoulders shaking violently.

"Stop... don't say any more..."

Sophia watched Rhys break down, feeling terrible herself.

But she knew this was a reality Rhys had to face.

After a long while, Rhys finally lifted his head.

His eyes were red and swollen, his face covered in tears.

But in those eyes, the innocence from before was completely gone.

Replaced by deep despair and... hatred.

"She... what is she planning to do to us?"

Rhys's voice was hoarse.

"Get the intel, and then..."

Leo looked at him. "When the time is right, kill you."

Rhys closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"What should I do?"

He opened his eyes, looking at Leo.

"Tell me, what should I do?"

Leo was silent for a few seconds.

"Do you hate her?"

"Hate..."

Rhys gritted his teeth, his eyes full of hatred.

"I hate her so much I want to kill her myself."

"Good."

Leo nodded.

"Then keep dating her."

"What?"

Rhys and Sophia both exclaimed in shock.

"Act like you don't know anything."

Leo said calmly. "Tomorrow, call her. Tell her Sophia has you trapped at home."

"Say Sophia is against you two being together and won't let you leave."

"And then?"

Rhys asked, confused.

"Then..."

A cold smile curved Leo's lips.

"She'll definitely try to 'rescue' you. Or use this opportunity to extract more intelligence."

"And we..."

A cold light flashed in Leo's eyes.

"We'll go along with her plan and take down everyone behind her in one sweep."

Rhys was silent for a few seconds.

"I understand."

He wiped his tears and took a deep breath.

"I'll cooperate."

"Rhys..."

Sophia looked at Rhys with concern.

"Sophia, I'm fine."

Rhys forced a smile, but it looked worse than crying.

"I just... need a little time."

Sophia hugged Rhys with heartache.

"I'm sorry... It's my fault for not protecting you..."

"It's not your fault."

Rhys shook his head. "I was too stupid."

Leo said nothing, just took out his phone and sent an encrypted message to Olivia.

[Trace the source of that call. I want to know where they are.]

Less than five minutes later, his phone vibrated.

[Boss, we traced it. The call came from Miami.]

[They used an encrypted satellite phone, but we located the approximate position through signal tracking.]

[It's a luxury apartment building in Miami's South Beach area.]

[And...]

Olivia sent several photos.

The photos showed a white apartment building by the ocean.

There were also several surveillance screenshots showing men in black suits entering and leaving the apartment.

[These men are all former South American mercenaries. According to our intelligence network, they've worked with the Nightfall organization multiple times.]

[Initial assessment: this is one of Nightfall's contact points in the United States.]

Leo finished reading the messages, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

Finally...

He had a trail.

"Olivia."

Leo made a voice call.

"Here, boss."

"Gather the Shadow team immediately."

Leo's voice was cold as a blade.

"In three days, we're going to Miami."

"Yes!"

After hanging up, Leo turned to look at Rhys.

"Are you ready?"

Rhys took a deep breath, his eyes full of determination.

"I'm ready."

"Good."

Leo started the car.

"Then let's go home."

The Maybach started up in the night, heading toward the Vanderbilt Mansion.

And in Leo's mind, he was already planning the next operation.

Miami.

South American mercenaries.

Nightfall organization.

All the clues were slowly surfacing.