The hacker swallowed hard as she stared at the open car door. She couldn''t yet see Mr. X''s face, but the mere thought of meeting him in person sent a strange mix of fear and excitement through her.

    Adrian watched her for a moment, analyzing her reaction before nodding toward the car.

    "Get in."

    She hesitated.

    "And if I refuse?"

    Adrian didn''t answer immediately. He calmly placed a hand on his earpiece and signaled one of the soldiers in the background. Within seconds, she understood that she didn''t really have a choice.

    "This is a polite invitation. But you can always test the less polite version if you want."

    She sighed, then raised her hands in surrender.

    "Alright, alright. No need to bring out the handcuffs."

    She stepped closer to the car, casting one last glance around her before slipping inside.

    The interior was spacious, luxurious yet understated, with dim lighting and a faint scent of new leather. The embedded technology was discreet but ever-present, from the holographic navigation system to the built-in screens on the walls. Everything here exuded efficiency without ostentation.

    And there, right in front of her, sitting in a relaxed manner, was Mr. X himself.

    Lassen watched her with an easygoing expression, an amused smile on his lips. He almost looked... pleased to have her there.

    "So, you''re the little rat that tried to mess with my security system?"

    She raised an eyebrow, masking her discomfort behind a facade of confidence.

    "Rat? That''s a bit harsh. I prefer the term ''independent investigator.''"

    Lassen burst out laughing.

    "Investigator, huh? And this ''investigation'' of yours led you to hack into an ultra-secret military installation right under Macro''s government''s nose? Impressive."

    She crossed her arms.

    "I wanted to see what you were hiding here. And clearly, it''s something big."

    Lassen studied her for a moment, his smile widening slightly.

    "You know what? I like your nerve. Not many people dare challenge my system. Even fewer manage to last as long as you did before getting caught."

    The Ghost of Macro.

    The man who held technologies capable of reshaping the world.

    She swallowed her surprise and regained her composure, trying not to let anything show.

    But deep inside, only one thought echoed:

    What have I gotten myself into?

    As silence filled the cabin, she felt her own heartbeat quicken. The car moved smoothly, but she knew that every passing second was an evaluation. Lassen was still watching her with that enigmatic smile, but beneath his apparent nonchalance, she sensed a razor-sharp mind analyzing her every move, every reaction.

    She licked her lips before speaking.

    "So, what happens now? Are you going to throw me into a cell and interrogate me until I break?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light.

    Lassen raised an amused eyebrow.

    "Oh, that would be so predictable. And boring. No, I prefer a more civilized approach. You''re intelligent,smart enough to try hacking me, smart enough to understand that, at this moment, your fate depends entirely on my goodwill."

    A chill ran down her spine.

    "And this is the part where you offer me a deal?"

    Lassen tilted his head, his smile widening slightly.

    "Let''s say I''m a curious man. I want to know who you really are. Why you took such a risk. And most of all... what you plan to do now that you''re here, facing me."

    She took a deep breath. She knew she had to choose her words carefully. One mistake, one wrong answer, and she might just disappear without a trace.

    She locked eyes with Lassen, a spark of defiance gleaming in her own.

    "You think I''m here just out of curiosity? Maybe I wanted to see if the legend was real. Maybe I wanted to test my limits. Or maybe..." She paused, letting the silence stretch. "Maybe I have something to offer."

    Lassen let out a sharp laugh, a genuine, almost delighted laugh.

    "I love this. People who think they''re smarter than me."

    He leaned back into his seat, crossing his arms.

    "Alright, impress me."

    And that was when she realized,she had just played the first card of the game.