When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 207: Seas of Deception - Scene 12

Chapter 207: Seas of Deception - Scene 12

Victor’s lips curled into a sinister smile. "I’m counting on that. Let them think they’ve won. By the time they realize I’m back, it’ll be too late."

The Broker handed him a file. "These are some of the best mercenaries and operatives available. Pick your team carefully. I’ll also provide a location for your new base of operations."

Victor flipped through the file, his mind racing. Each page contained profiles of skilled individuals with dark pasts—mercenaries, hackers, and former intelligence agents.

"This will do," Victor said, his voice filled with determination. "It’s time to remind Agent Daniel who he’s dealing with."

---

As Victor began assembling his new team, Daniel and his crew prepared for the possibility of Victor’s return. The hunt was far from over, and both men knew it. While Victor plotted his revenge, Daniel vowed to stop him once and for all.

The storm they had survived at sea was nothing compared to the storm brewing between them now.

---

One Month Later

Victor’s new team was assembled in an abandoned factory far from prying eyes. The room smelled of oil and rust, dimly lit by a few hanging bulbs. Each member was seated around a table strewn with maps, blueprints, and surveillance photos.

Victor stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding and cold. His team consisted of five highly skilled individuals, each an expert in their field:

Riko, an ex-military demolitions expert with a penchant for destruction.

Layla, a sharp-tongued hacker who could break into any system.

Dante, a sniper with unmatched precision and a history of high-profile assassinations.

Marek, a former smuggler who knew the sea better than anyone.

Inez, a master of disguise and infiltration.

Victor tapped a photo of Daniel on the table.

"This man," he began, his voice calm but filled with venom. "Agent Daniel. He humiliated me, destroyed my operation, and thought he could walk away unscathed."

Riko smirked. "So, what’s the plan, boss? You want him dead or just broken?"

Victor’s lips curled into a sinister smile. "Both. But first, we’ll make him suffer."

He pointed at a map of the Pacific Ocean, where a shipping route was marked.

"This route is critical for the agency he works for. We’ll intercept their cargo, disrupt their operations, and send a message. When he comes to investigate, we’ll be waiting."

Layla leaned back in her chair, twirling a pen. "I can plant false intel to lure him exactly where we want. He won’t even see it coming."

Victor nodded. "Do it. And make sure it’s convincing."

---

Meanwhile, in the Agency Headquarters

Daniel sat in the operations room, reviewing recent intelligence reports. The sea had been quiet since their last mission, but it was an uneasy silence. Victor’s absence felt like a shadow hanging over him.

Alex entered the room, a mug of coffee in hand. She placed it on the table beside him.

"You’ve been staring at that screen for hours, Daniel," she said. "If Victor’s alive, we’ll find him. But you need to rest."

Daniel shook his head. "I can’t shake the feeling that he’s planning something. He doesn’t just disappear. He strikes back."

Ethan walked in, holding a tablet. "You might be right about that, boss. I just intercepted some chatter about a high-value shipment being targeted. It’s on the Pacific route."

Daniel’s eyes narrowed. "Victor’s style?"

Ethan nodded. "Looks like it. And the timing feels too perfect."

Captain Harding joined them, his expression grim. "If it’s him, we need to act fast. What’s the plan?"

Daniel stood, his resolve firm. "We take the bait. But this time, we end it."

---

On the Open Seas

Victor’s crew set their plan into motion. Marek piloted a sleek, unregistered vessel that moved silently through the waters. Riko and Dante prepared weapons and explosives, while Layla monitored communications from below deck.

"The shipment’s coming into range," Layla announced through her earpiece. "No signs of trouble yet."

Victor stood on the deck, the wind whipping his coat. "Good. Let’s make our move before they even realize we’re here."

The crew intercepted the cargo ship with surgical precision. Marek maneuvered their vessel alongside it, while Riko and Dante boarded. The ship’s crew barely had time to react before they were subdued.

Victor stepped onto the deck, surveying the operation with satisfaction. He glanced at the ship’s cargo containers and smiled.

"Let’s see what our dear Agent Daniel values so much," he murmured.

---

Hours later, Daniel and his team arrived at the scene aboard their own vessel. The cargo ship was adrift, its crew tied up but unharmed.

Alex inspected the damage. "They hit us hard and fast. This was a message."

Ethan scanned the ship’s systems. "They wiped everything—navigation, logs, even the emergency beacons. Whoever did this knows their tech."

Daniel’s jaw tightened. "It’s him. Victor."

Captain Harding surveyed the horizon. "If he’s this bold, he won’t stop here. He’s escalating."

Ethan held up his tablet. "I managed to recover a fragment of their transmission. It’s encrypted, but I can work on it."

Daniel nodded. "Do it. And alert the agency—we’re going after him."

---

In his hidden base, Victor watched the live feed from a drone circling the cargo ship. He saw Daniel and his team investigating and smiled darkly.

"Right where I want you," he said softly.

He turned to Layla. "Activate Phase Two. Let’s see how they handle the storm I’m about to unleash."

Layla grinned. "Consider it done."

---

The night was still, the ocean calm, but the tension among Daniel’s crew was palpable. Back at their headquarters, Ethan worked tirelessly on decrypting the fragment of Victor’s transmission, his screen flickering with lines of code.

Finally, a breakthrough. Ethan slammed his hand on the desk, startling Alex and Captain Harding.

"I’ve got it!" Ethan exclaimed. "The coordinates—they point to an island in the middle of nowhere. But it’s not just any island. It used to house an abandoned military facility."

Daniel leaned over the screen, studying the map. "That’s where Victor’s hiding. He’s luring us into his territory."