Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 90: A Plan in Motion

Chapter 90: Chapter 90: A Plan in Motion

The hardwood floor was streaked with gold as the early sun streamed through the rooftop windows. Even though it was quiet outdoors, Ethan’s thoughts were everything but. Reviewing the information Jacob had given him the previous evening, he sat at the dining table. In front of him was a list of names, maps, and surveillance images—all of which were pieces of the puzzle that would ultimately lead to Moreau’s downfall.

Lily crossed her arms and watched him from the kitchen counter. She had slept very little since she was always thinking about the future. She refused to be abandoned, even though she knew Ethan was attempting to keep her safe. Now she had an interest in this. She wouldn’t watch helplessly while Ethan confronted Moreau alone because he had upended their lives.

She moved closer and set a coffee cup in front of him. "You should have something to eat," she remarked quietly.

Ethan looked up, his eyes displaying the shadow of fatigue. "Yes, I will. Later.

Sitting opposite him, Lily let out a breath. "Tell me what you’ve discovered."

He rubbed his temple while leaning back in his chair. Jacob was telling the truth. In order to ensure that I have no allies when Moreau makes his last move, he is cutting me off from them. I’ll be totally alone if I don’t take action right away.

Lily ran a finger along the table’s edge. "So, what’s the strategy?"

Ethan gestured toward the map before them. Although Moreau’s activities are dispersed among several locales, his most valuable assets—his cash and leverage—are connected to three sites: his private home, his primary supply channels, and his offshore accounts. If we can interfere with even one of those, he will have to respond. At that point, we will attack.

Lily looked at the map. "And how can we strike him without becoming the target of his wrath?"

Ethan grinned. "We are already under attack. Through is the only way out.

Knowing he was correct, she let out a sigh. "So, what should we strike first?"

Ethan tapped a spot on the map that was highlighted in red. "His accounts abroad." Jacob provided me with the identities of Moreau’s financial managers, but the majority of his money is routed through a network of shell corporations. We take away his authority if we stop giving him money.

Lily gave a nod. "All right. How can we accomplish that?

A knowing smile curved Ethan’s lips. "That’s where you can help."

Lily’s eyebrow went up. "Me?"

"Don’t you have contacts in the financial industry from your previous life?" Ethan bent over. "You must investigate these accounts for me. Look for weaknesses. Make use of them.

Lily paused. "It’s been a while since I did that kind of work."

Ethan grabbed her hand from across the table. "Lily, I have faith in you. You are the only one who can accomplish this.

Squeezing his hand back, she gulped. "All right. Let me see what I can locate.

Examining Moreau’s Financial Situation

Lily’s fingers flew across the keys as she worked on her laptop for the next few hours. Digging into bank data, tracking down hidden accounts, and identifying weak points was an adrenaline rush she hadn’t had in years. Though complex, Moreau’s financial network was not unbreakable.

She pulled up a marked transaction and hesitated, biting her lip. She yelled out, "Ethan."

He raised his head from his phone. "What is it?"

She swiveled the laptop in his direction. "Moreau uses a private Swiss bank to transfer substantial amounts of money. The hitch, though, is that the system has a security flaw. We can freeze his accounts before he even recognizes what’s happening if we time it correctly.

Ethan grinned. "That is precisely what we require."

Lily paused. However, doing so puts my name in the crossfire. If Moreau discovers I’m responsible—

Ethan moved to stand next to her. "We’ll ensure that he doesn’t." Gently, he cupped her cheek. "I will not allow you to suffer any harm."

She trusted him and nodded.

She made a few more keystrokes and began the first part of their strategy. A few of Moreau’s accounts displayed limited access in a matter of minutes. Even though it wasn’t a complete shutdown, he became alarmed.

Ethan gazed at the television. "We are now awaiting his response."

The Initial Hit

It took very little time.

Ethan’s phone buzzed an hour later. His brows narrowed at the caller ID as he took it up. He had a suspicion that he knew who it was, even if the number was unknown.

He replied. "Calloway."

The sentence echoed with a slow, derisive laugh. "Ethan, you move quickly. Just not quickly enough.

Ethan’s hold became more firm. "Moreau."

"You believe that freezing a few accounts will cripple me?" Moreau made fun of it. Adorable. However, let me remind you that power comes from more than just money.

Ethan tightened his jaw. Then, when I take away everything else from you, we’ll see what happens.

Moreau let out a sigh. "You were always obstinate. However, you have now included the female in this. A mistake you will come to regret.

The blood in Ethan ran cold. "If you come in contact with her—"

"Calm down," Moreau said. "I don’t want the game to finish so quickly. However, how about we up the ante?

In the background, Ethan heard a rustling noise followed by a muffled voice. His gut churned.

"Do you know that voice?" "What?" Moreau inquired.

Ethan did. Jacob was the one.

Moreau laughed. He believed he could turn on me and get away with it. Regretfully for him, I don’t put up with betrayal.

Ethan felt his heart race. "What are you looking for?"

Moreau lowered his voice to a deadly murmur. "A transaction. For Lily, Jacob

Ethan’s body tensed up. "Not taking place."

"Then Jacob passes away."

There was silence between them.

Lily stroked Ethan’s arm after listening. "We cannot simply let Jacob perish."

Ethan looked into her eyes, his thoughts racing.

Moreau let out a sigh. "Ethan, tick tock. Twenty-four hours are all yours. The line died.

Ethan put down his phone and combed through his hair. "Fuck it."

Lily let out a breath. "What are we going to do?"

Ethan’s eyes became gloomy. "We don’t follow his guidelines."

Lily scowled. "What is meant by that?"

"It means we do something he doesn’t anticipate."

She looked at him. "What move is that, too?"

Ethan’s sly smile reappeared, this time with a menacing edge. "We put ourselves in a trap."

The Catch

For the next few hours, they planned. Everything has to be flawless. Moreau would receive a trade if he desired one, but not in the manner he had anticipated.

By evening, Ethan and Lily were standing next to each other, reviewing the last details of their strategy.

"Are you certain of this?" Lily inquired.

Ethan looked into her eyes, unflinching. "More than before."

She took his hand and nodded. "So let’s get this over with."

They were convinced of one thing as they left the house—

This was not the end of the conflict. But whatever occurred next, they were prepared.