Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 102: A Bitter Truth

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: A Bitter Truth

A chill began to seep into Ethan’s bones just as the warmth of victory had subsided. He and Lily had been fighting against opponents who were hiding in the shadows for months, tearing down Moreau’s empire one piece at a time. They had vanquished their adversaries, eliminated their dangers, and gained ownership of the city in ways they could never have predicted.

But even with the tranquility they had established for themselves, something wasn’t quite right.

Ethan’s thoughts were racing as he sat in his apartment and gazed out at the skyline. The triumphs came too quickly, and the parts fit too well. He had anticipated greater opposition—more reprisals—but none materialized.

As Lily walked into the room, she saw his eyes afar. "Ethan?"

His face was inscrutable as he turned to face her. "There is a problem."

She folded her arms. "Ethan, we prevailed. What may be the issue?

With a hand through his hair, he let out a breath. That’s exactly it. We prevailed too easily.

Lily scowled. We anticipated this, Ethan. We strategically demolished them.

Ethan gave a headshake. It doesn’t make sense. It took time for Moreau to establish his dominion. It was too deeply buried to fall that rapidly.

With a flash of worry on her face, Lily bit her lip. "You believe that someone else was in charge?"

He looked her in the eye. Only the males in front of the curtain, I believe, were removed. However, who is the true mastermind? They remain in existence.

Finding the Truth

Sitting next to him, Lily considered the alternatives. "Who would gain from Moreau’s demise if he didn’t come forward?"

Ethan’s mouth clenched. Someone more intelligent. Someone who is patient

Lily took a deep breath. "So we’re not finished, are we?"

It buzzed on Ethan’s phone. With furrowed brows, he took it up and read the message.

You believed it was finished. It’s just getting started. – J

He gripped the phone more tightly.

Lily bent forward. "J? Jacob?"

With his head spinning, Ethan nodded. By providing crucial intelligence at the appropriate times, Jacob had assisted them in overthrowing Moreau’s dominion. But suddenly there was a sinister weight to this message.

Lily reached for her jacket. "We’re headed to him."

Without hesitation, Ethan reached for his keys. They had to know immediately, before it was too late if there was more to this narrative.

The Conversation with Jacob

After Moreau was overthrown, Jacob fled, but Ethan’s resources allowed him to find him in a remote safe house outside of the city.

The smell of gasoline and damp wood filled the air as they reached the dilapidated structure. Twice Ethan knocked.

The door creaked open a second later. Jacob stood with a weary expression and empty eyes. "You received my message."

Lily followed closely after Ethan as he pushed by him. "Speak up."

With a groan, Jacob closed the door. "You believe you’ve won?" He laughed a dry laugh. "You didn’t even touch the surface."

Lily folded her arms. "Then let us know what we overlooked."

With a little trembling in his hands, Jacob poured himself a glass. Despite his might, Moreau wasn’t the real puppeteer. He was only a component of a larger game.

Ethan’s eyes became gloomy. "Who is actually responsible for this?"

After a moment of hesitation, Jacob said, "The Syndicate."

Lily felt her tummy tighten.

The Syndicate.

An organization so ingrained in crime that its members were invisible yet constantly present, a name that was only mentioned in whispers.

Ethan let out a loud sigh. "You mean to tell me that Moreau was employed by them?"

Jacob gave a nod. "And you’ve made room for them to take over now that you’ve destroyed his empire."

Lily took a gulp. "Why didn’t you inform us earlier?"

Jacob gave a sour laugh. "Had you paid attention?"

Ethan’s hands tightened. "So, what happens now?"

Jacob looked him in the eye. "Now? They are now pursuing you.

A New Conflict Starts

Lily took hold of Ethan’s arm. "We must depart. Right now.

But Ethan remained still. His thoughts were racing as he gazed at Jacob. "What are they seeking?"

Jacob’s face became serious. "Manage. Dominance is more important to them than retaliation. You are the sole obstacle in their path now that Moreau is gone.

Lily’s heart was racing. "Then we have to vanish."

Ethan gave a headshake. "There is no way to run."

Jacob laughed. "Then you had better prepare yourself for a war that is unlike any you have ever experienced."

Ethan looked across at Lily. Return to your penthouse. Bring as much as you can. We’ll decide what to do next.

Lily nodded after hesitating. "Take caution."

Jacob poured another glass as she walked away. "Are you certain you want to follow this path?"

Determination blazed in Ethan’s eyes. "As soon as they set eyes on me, they turned it into my road."

Jacob let out a sigh. "So you had best get ready. as this isn’t the end.

Ethan let out a breath, his thoughts already buzzing with plans.

It was the Syndicate.

And there would be no compassion this time.

A Course of Action

Lily had already packed the necessities when Ethan got back to the apartment. Her look was fixed, and a rifle lay on the table next to her.

She glanced at him. "We cannot remain here."

Ethan gave a nod. "We must move, but not mindlessly. We require leverage, resources, and intelligence.

Lily’s head cocked. "How can we obtain that?"

Ethan’s eyes became gloomy. "By identifying the weak point in the Syndicate."

Lily paused. "What if they’re without one?"

He grinned glumly. "Everyone is weak in some way."

She took a swallow. "I have a question for you, Ethan."

He noticed the hesitancy in her voice and glanced at her.

"If this doesn’t work out... Her voice faltered.

Ethan took her hands in his and moved closer. "We’ll."

She looked into his face. "What if we don’t?"

He let out a breath and kissed her forehead tenderly. "Then we fight to the end."

Lily nodded after closing her eyes for a time. "Companions?"

He clenched his fingers. "Always."

The city outside was still alive, oblivious to the impending clash.

The conflict with Moreau was one thing.

However, the conflict with the Syndicate?

That was a whole other animal.

Ethan Calloway was prepared as well.