CHAPTER 296: CHAPTER 296 WALKING INTO THE LIONS DEN

Vanessa nodded sharply, her eyes burning with purpose. "Yes," she said. "Let’s get to work."

Liam tilted his head slightly, frowning. "Work?" he repeated. "What work are we talking about exactly?"

Vanessa smirked and tapped a finger against her temple like he was supposed to be reading her mind. "We’ve got a party to attend."

"A... party?" Liam echoed, his voice deadpan.

As the word hung in the air, his mind instantly flashed back, back to the last party he went to. Loud music. Heat. Neon lights. And then... Kelly. Her smooth mocha skin, the way she pulled him, the rush of that night. They barely knew each other, and yet they had crossed every line. That memory wasn’t exactly one he wanted to relive, especially not in front of Vanessa.

Vanessa narrowed her eyes at him, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Okay, what was that face just now?" she asked, stepping closer. "You looked like I just told you we’re going to your own funeral."

Liam coughed and glanced away, waving it off. "Nothing. Just... I’ve had weird experiences at parties."

Vanessa raised an eyebrow but didn’t press. "Weird how?"

"Not important," he said quickly, changing the subject. "Why are we going to a party anyway? This doesn’t sound like part of your genius-level plan."

Vanessa turned and grabbed her tablet again, pulling up an image, an elegant, sleek black invitation with crimson details and a symbol Liam immediately recognized: the Crimson Hand’s sigil.

"There’s a private event tonight," she said, her tone shifting to business. "Crimson Hand is hosting it. But it’s not just a party, it’s a meeting. A secret gathering for all of their major sponsors."

Liam’s face changed instantly. "Wait, what?"

Vanessa nodded. "Golden Bird reps. Corrupt cops. Rich dudes. Anyone who’s invested in what the Crimson Hand is building. It’s their way of reassuring their allies and showing off their latest progress."

Liam’s mind started racing. "And you want us to just... walk in there?"

She folded her arms. "Exactly."

He stood up from the chair. "Vanessa. No. Do you hear yourself? That place is going to be crawling with exogens, killers, and god knows what else. I can handle myself, sure but you? Your regeneration isn’t fast. You won’t have your suit. You—"

"Relax," Vanessa cut in, her voice calm. "You think I’d drag you into something without a plan?"

"Every time you say that," Liam muttered, "we almost get killed."

Vanessa smiled a little. "Fair. But listen, nobody’s going to recognize us. Not if we go in the right way."

"What do you mean?" Liam asked.

She walked over to her backpack and pulled out a small envelope. Inside were two elegantly printed invitations and a pair of ID cards. She tossed them on the table for Liam to see.

"Everyone attending this party values anonymity," she explained. "No real names. No real faces. That’s the whole point. The Crimson Hand doesn’t want their allies knowing who each other are, they’re paranoid. So everyone comes in wearing masks, new identities, altered appearances."

Liam looked down at the invite. The names printed were Caspian Maddox and Sierra Vale.

Vanessa leaned over and whispered, "We’ll be them for the night."

He slowly raised his eyes to her. "...You killed them?"

Vanessa laughed, a dry and tired sound. "No, Liam. Calm down. I hit them with a sedative cocktail—strong enough to knock them out for two days. They’re tucked away safe in a hotel, probably dreaming about spa days."

He still looked skeptical.

"I also took their invite and copied their ID chips," she added. "We’ll pass every scan."

Liam shook his head slowly. "That’s... actually kind of insane."

Vanessa tilted her head playfully. "Thanks."

Liam studied the picture of the couple, Caspian, a lean man with silver-streaked dark hair and an angular jawline; Sierra, a raven-haired beauty with sharp green eyes and flawless cheekbones. They looked like high-end socialites, the type who always had an ulterior motive behind their smiles.

"We don’t even look like them," he said.

"That’s why we’re changing that." Vanessa walked to a shelf nearby and picked up a small kit of dyes, brushes, and disguise tools.

She turned to Liam. "I’ll dye my hair black. Simple. As for you..."

She pulled a small vial of white dye and tossed it at him. "You’re getting silver streaks. Just a few strands. Trust me, you’ll look the part."

Liam caught the vial but looked unconvinced. "You want me to look like some kind of spoiled rich kid."

"Exactly," Vanessa said with a grin. "You’ll fit right in."

Liam exhaled and sat back down again. "This is getting out of hand."

"No, this is us finally being in the hand," she corrected. "We’re going to hear things tonight, Liam. See things. Maybe even spot the creator himself."

He glanced at the invitations again, then looked up at her.

"And if we do?"

Vanessa’s face turned serious. "Then we follow him.."

Liam nodded

Vanessa grabbed her bag and walked toward the rusted bathroom door at the edge of the factory. "I’m going to dye my hair. You start on yours."

Liam held up the dye vial with a sigh. "This better wash out."

Vanessa smirked before disappearing behind the door. "No promises."

——

9 hours later

Liam stood in front of the cracked mirror that hung unevenly from the wall. For a second, he just stared, his reflection felt like someone else entirely. His upper face was covered with a sleek, bone white masquerade mask trimmed in silver, hiding his eyes just enough to give him an air of mystery. Strands of his dark hair had been dyed pure white and slicked back on the sides, leaving the top tousled for flair. The dye was temporary, but the transformation felt far too real.

The white suit he wore fit him flawlessly. Tailored shoulders, clean lapels, no wrinkles in sight. A faint shimmer was woven into the fabric, giving it an expensive finish. His shirt underneath was black silk, unbuttoned just enough to show a teasing line of skin at the base of his throat. His shoes were pristine, polished white leather that glowed faintly under the dim overhead light. A vintage style walking stick rested casually in one of his hands, more accessory than necessity, but it completed the look.

He looked every bit like a spoiled rich heir... arrogant, untouchable, dangerous in the way wealth made people dangerous. Vanessa had nailed the aesthetic.

"Damn," he muttered under his breath. "I’d rob me."

He turned from the mirror, only to freeze in place.

Vanessa stood behind him.

And for the first time since they met, Liam couldn’t find the words.

She was dressed in a form-fitting, jet-black gown that hugged her curves like the dress had been stitched directly onto her skin. The fabric shimmered faintly like crushed velvet under moonlight, with a long slit that started high on her thigh and stopped somewhere dangerously close to her hip. But it wasn’t just the shape of the dress, it was what the dress couldn’t contain.

The top of her breasts pushed against the tight neckline, straining the fabric in a way that made it seem like any sudden movement might send it tearing apart. Soft, creamy skin spilled upward, unapologetic and sinful, framed by a low sweetheart cut that seemed one wrong breath away from scandal. It wasn’t just seductive, it was overwhelming.

Liam swallowed thickly, his gaze trailing lower before he could stop himself. Her waist was cinched perfectly, pulling in like a sculpted hourglass. Even from the front, he could see the way her hips curved, the subtle outline of her ass so clear through the fabric it may as well have been painted on.

He didn’t move. Couldn’t. He was frozen.

Vanessa caught his stare, and her face immediately turned a soft shade of red. She coughed awkwardly, crossing her arms beneath her chest, which only made the situation worse for Liam’s eyes.

"You’re staring," she said, her voice low and slightly embarrassed.

"I know," Liam said, still stunned. "I... damn, Vanessa. You look" He paused. The grin that tugged at his lips faded, replaced by something real. "You look... incredible. Not just hot. Like, you look like someone who walks into a room and makes everyone else forget why they’re there."

Vanessa’s face flushed deeper. Even with her mask on, it was impossible to miss. "You didn’t have to go that far..."

"I wasn’t trying to be smooth," Liam said honestly. "I mean it. You’re stunning."

She looked away fast, back stiff like she didn’t know what to do with the compliment. She reached for her earring unnecessarily, clearly trying to distract herself, and then cleared her throat again. "Right. Thanks. You, uh, don’t look bad yourself. Very... douchebag billionaire. Perfect."

Liam chuckled softly, watching her back as she turned around. "That’s exactly what I was going for."

They stood quietly for a few seconds. Vanessa kept glancing toward the clock that hung near the side of the warehouse entrance.

Liam glanced at his system’s HUD as it flickered into his vision. The digital clock ticked to 7:08 PM.

He groaned.

"I told him to start getting ready five hours ago," he said in disbelief. "Why the hell is he not here yet?"

As if on cue, the sound of an engine rumbled from outside low, expensive, and too smooth to be anything cheap. They both turned toward the entrance of the factory.

Liam raised an eyebrow. "No way."

He walked toward the massive rolling door and pulled it open.

A blinding white 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan was pulling into view, the headlights slicing through the dark like twin blades. The front grille gleamed, the Spirit of Ecstasy shimmering like a trophy. Everything about the car screamed wealth and audacity. The smooth purr of the engine faded as the vehicle came to a silent stop.

Liam watched with a slight smirk as the door swung open, and out stepped Dickson.

His usual unbothered attitude was still present, but this time it came with polish. He wore a crisp white tuxedo—double-breasted with a black lapel and a matching tie. The man had even slicked his hair back, adding a level of suave Liam didn’t know Dickson had in him.

"You got the white one," Liam said, trying not to laugh.

Dickson shrugged. "You said it needed to match your outfit. Figured I’d make it match literally."

Liam shook his head. "You spent five hundred grand of my money on this."

"And I look amazing," Dickson replied without a shred of guilt. "Best investment you’ve ever made."

Vanessa stepped out from behind Liam, her heels clicking against the concrete. When Dickson turned and saw her, he visibly stopped for half a second before composing himself.

"...Damn," he muttered. "You really going all out tonight."

Vanessa gave him a tired look. "Just try not to stare like he did," she said, nodding toward Liam.

Dickson smirked. "No promises."