At three o'clock in the morning, in Manhattan, except for the occasional taxi passing by, there are only garbage bags swaying under the dim street lights.
Adam stood downstairs in Evelyn's clinic, the suitcase in his hand so heavy that his arm sore.
It contained two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in cash.
Ben shrank behind him, constantly looking around.
"Brother, wouldn't it be too abrupt to go to her at this time?"
Adam rang the doorbell.
The crisp sound was particularly harsh in the silent night.
A few seconds later, Evelyn's voice came from the walkie-talkie.
She didn't sound like she was woken up at all, and her voice was so clear that it made one suspect she wasn't asleep at all.
"Mr. White, your concept of time needs to be improved."
"Dr. Reed, I think we need to talk."
There was silence in the walkie-talkie for a few seconds.
Then there was the sound of the electronic lock opening.
The lights in the clinic are still soft, and the flames in the fireplace are still jumping.
Evelyn wore a dark blue silk dressing gown, with blonde hair casually draped over her shoulders.
She didn't look embarrassed at all, but had a lazy elegance.
"Two men visiting in the middle of the night always make people think of some unpleasant possibilities."
Her eyes fell on the suitcase in Adam's hand.
"But it seems that you are here to send money."
Adam placed the suitcase on the coffee table and opened it.
The neatly stacked banknotes glow green in the light.
Ben's Adam's apple rolled a little.
Even though he had already seen it once, the money still made his heart beat faster.
Evelyn's expression didn't change at all.
She didn't even look at the money, she just picked up the teacup and took a sip.
"$250,000."
Adam's voice echoed through the room.
"As a second consultation fee."
"Consultation fee?"
Evelyn put down her teacup and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.
"Mr. White, what you want is not treatment, are you?"
Adam sat down on the couch with his hands crossed on his knees.
"I need a ghost."
His eyes were fixed on Evelin.
"A ghost that can move freely through the financial world without leaving a trace."
"An offshore fund."
Evelyn smiled.
That smile is light, but with obvious interest.
She stood up and walked to the bookshelf.
Pull out a cort-bound book from inside.
The sound of the pages turning was clearly audible in the silent room.
"Do you know the operating mechanism of this city?"
Her fingers slide across the pages.
"On the surface, Wall Street is a glamorous financial center."
"But in the shadow of those skyscrapers, there is another world."
She closed the book and turned to face Adam.
"A shadow world composed of 'service providers' like me."
"We handle the dirty work for the top players, provide shelter, and transmit intelligence."
"Let those transactions that are inconvenient to appear in the sun be completed smoothly."
Ben was stunned by what he heard.
He never thought that this gentle-looking female doctor would have such an identity.
Evelyn sat back in her chair, her slender legs folded on top of each other.
"But Mr. White, why should I help you?"
Her voice suddenly became cold.
"Your enemy is Richard Sterling."
"Being an enemy of him is not good for me."
The air in the room instantly became solemn.
The flames in the fireplace crackle slightly.
Adam did not answer immediately.
He stood up and walked to the window.
Through the gaps in the blinds, you can see that several windows across the street are still lit.
"Because Sterling represents the old order."
He turned to face Evelyn.
"And I will bring a new order."
There was a kind of palpitating light burning in his eyes.
"Investing in the future is always more valuable than guarding the past."
"Moreover, the value I can create for you will be far more than this mere two million."
Evelin looked at him quietly.
A few seconds of silence made Ben's palms sweat.
Suddenly, she picked up the phone on the table and dialed a number.
After the phone was connected, she said a few words in a language that Adam didn't understand.
It sounded like German, but mixed with other accents.
The call was short and ended in less than a minute.
Evelyn hung up the phone and looked back at Adam.
"Wait."
Her voice returned to its previous gentleness.
Three minutes later, Ben's phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID, it was an unfamiliar number.
"Take it."
Evelyn motioned for him to answer.
Ben pressed the answer button, and an English voice with a strong Swiss accent came from the phone.
"Mr. Carter, your Cayman Islands shell company has been registered."
"Company name: Alpha Investment Management Co., Ltd."
"A Swiss bank account has also been opened and the account number will be sent to you by encrypted mail."
"All fees have been paid by Ms. Reed."
Ben almost dropped his phone on the ground.
He stared at Evelyn with wide eyes.
The voice on the other end of the phone continued:
"Your company has full legal status to carry out any legal investment activity."
"Board member and beneficiary information has been kept confidential in accordance with Ms. Reed's instructions."
"I wish you good luck with your investment."
The phone hung up.
The room was so quiet that only the sound of burning wood in the fireplace could be heard.
Ben looked at the phone screen, and the expression on his face was indescribably complicated.
Shock, excitement, fear, all kinds of emotions are intertwined.
Adam's heart was beating faster.
But he tried to keep his facial expressions calm.
Evelyn's efficiency and connections far exceeded his expectations.
She is not only a psychiatrist, but also the hub of a huge underground network.
"Now we can negotiate the terms."
Evelyn's voice broke the silence.
She took a document from a drawer and placed it on the coffee table.
"I provide access and shelter to get 30% of the fund's future earnings."
The document is a cooperation agreement, available in English and German.
Adam picked up the document and took a quick look.
The terms are written in detail and cover every possible scenario.
"In addition."
Evelin's voice sounded again.
"I need you to do something for me."
Her eyes suddenly became sharp.
"As a letter of nomination."
Adam looked up at her.
"What's the matter?"
"Keep it a secret for now."
Evelin said with a smile.
"But not beyond your capabilities."
"Moreover, this matter will also help you in your revenge plan."
Adam weighed it quickly in his mind.
The score of thirty points is indeed a bit high.
But considering the shelter and convenience that Evelyn can provide, the price is worth it.
Moreover, now he doesn't have much choice.
"Deal."
He picked up the pen on the table and signed his name on the document.
Evelyn also signed the documents.
Her handwriting is neat, exuding a European aristocratic elegance.
"Welcome to the table, Mr. White."
She stood up and held out her hand.
"But remember, every chip here may be stained with blood."
Adam held her hand.
The woman's hands are cool, but the grip is strong.
"I'm ready."
At this moment, there was a slight sound of footsteps upstairs.
Emily walked down the stairs in her pink pajamas.
Her hair was a little messy, and her eyes were sleepy.
"Mom, I heard a voice..."
She saw the three people in the living room and stopped.
His eyes swept over Adam and himself, and finally landed on the open suitcase on the coffee table.
Those bills stand out in the light.
Evelin immediately walked over and stroked her daughter's hair.
"It's okay, Emily."
Her voice became gentle.
"It's just some work things."
"You go back to your room to sleep."
Emily nodded, but before turning upstairs, she glanced at Adam again.
There was obvious curiosity in those bright eyes.
"Good night, gentlemen."
Her voice is crisp and has the innocence unique to a girl.
When her daughter's footsteps disappeared upstairs, Evelyn's expression became serious again.
"Now, let's talk about your first mission."
She pulled a photo out of the folder.
The photo shows a middle-aged man wearing an expensive suit with gloomy eyes.
"Thomas Webb, New York State Attorney."
She pushed the photo towards Adam.
"On the surface, he is the embodiment of justice."
"In fact, he took a lot of money that he shouldn't have collected."
"Including Sterling's money."
Adam took the photo and looked at it carefully.
Webb looks about fifty years old and has meticulously combed hair.
But there was an uncomfortable greed in his eyes.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Destroy him."
Evelyn's voice was flat as if she was discussing the weather.
"Webb is an important umbrella for Sterling."
"Without this prosecutor, Sterling will lose his legal protection."
She took out a USB stick from the drawer.
"This is evidence that Weber accepted bribes."
"Including bank transfer records, call recordings, and a few interesting photos."
Adam took the USB stick.
The small storage device is warm in the palm of your hand.
"What am I going to do?"
"Tomorrow night, Webb will attend a charity dinner at the Conrad Hotel."
A sneer appeared on the corner of Evelyn's mouth.
"You want to make sure that this evidence gets to the right people, in the right way."
"For example, the investigative reporter of the New York Times."
Ben was terrified when he heard it on the side.
This is no longer a simple business competition.
It's a real political game.
A wrong decision can make them doomed.
But there was no fear in Adam's eyes.
On the contrary, there is a kind of excitement that is eager to try.
"What preparation do I need?"
"Identity, invitation, and a suitable evening dress."
Evelyn pulled out an envelope from another drawer.
"I'm ready for all of this."
"Your identity tomorrow is Alexander Black, an investment consultant from London."
"The invitation is real, the dress is handmade and customized."
"No one will doubt your identity."
Adam opens the envelope.
Inside is a gilded invitation, a British passport, and a black card.
The photo in the passport is his, but the name is Alexander Black.
It is very well made and there are almost no flaws to be seen.
"These things..."
"Don't ask the source."
Evelyn interrupted him.
"You just need to know that they are absolutely reliable."
She stood up and walked to the window.
"Webb's downfall is only the first step."
"Sterling's forces are intertwined, and we need to break them one by one."
"Start from the periphery first, then attack the core."
Adam reloaded everything into the envelope.
"So, when do we start?"
"Start now."
Evelyn turned to face him.
"From the moment you signed that agreement, you've stepped into the game."
"There is no turning back."
Meanwhile, in a luxury apartment in Midtown Manhattan.
Victoria Vance stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window with a glass of red wine in her hand.
The wine has a deep red color in the light.
Her face was terribly gloomy.
"Three people, deal with a madman who has just been released from a mental hospital."
Her voice was low, but her anger was clear.
"As a result, let him run away?"
Standing in front of her were three burly men.
They all lowered their heads, not daring to look Victoria in the eye.
"Ms. Vance, that kid is very cunning..."
"I don't want to listen to excuses."
Victoria interrupted him.
She turned to face the three of them, and the murderous intent in her eyes made the air solemn.
"Now, the reward has been increased to one million."
"Five hundred thousand live, one million dead."
"I want the whole underworld to know the news."
She placed the wine glass heavily on the coffee table.
The glass and marble collide to make a crisp sound.
"Also, check me about the Morningstar Technology deal."
"Two million dollars of leverage, precise entry timing."
"It's not luck, it's someone manipulating it behind your back."
One of the men nodded.
"We are already investigating."
"That transaction used an overseas account, which was a bit difficult to trace."
"But we'll find clues."
Victoria picked up the glass again, but didn't drink it.
She just looked at the red wine in the glass, her eyes deepened.
"This son of John is more dangerous than we think."
She whispered to herself.
"Not only did he come back alive, but he also had the funds and means."
"If he is allowed to develop..."
She didn't finish her words.
But everyone understood what she meant.
On the other side, in the top floor office of Sterling Capital.
Richard Stirling sat behind a huge desk with a report in his hand.
The cover of the report reads "Morningstar Technology Abnormal Transaction Analysis".
Julian stood at his desk with a solemn face.
"Boss, this deal is really suspicious."
"The timing is perfect, buy at the lowest point of the stock price and sell at the highest point."
"And it uses ten times leverage."
"This kind of operation requires a very high level of professionalism and inside information."
Sterling put down the report and tapped his fingers on the tabletop.
"Will it be that kid?"
"Very likely."
Julian nodded.
"Although we have no direct evidence, the timing is too coincidental."
"The same day we tracked him down, the deal came up."
Sterling stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.
The night view of the city unfolds beneath your feet, with lights flickering.
"If it's really him..."
Sterling's voice was soft, but with a clear killing intent.
"Then this son of John is more threatening than I expected."
He turned to face Julian.
"Increase the search efforts."
"Use all resources at any cost."
"I want him to disappear within 24 hours."
Julian nodded straight.
"Understood."
He turned to leave, but stopped at the door.
"Boss, there's one more thing."
"Say."
"We heard some rumors in the underworld."
Julian turned to face Sterling.
"Someone is asking us about the details."
"Moreover, Prosecutor Webb has been a little nervous lately."
"He asked for increased security forces."
Sterling's brows furrowed.
Weber was an important political ally of his.
If something goes wrong with the prosecutor, it is a huge threat to the entire interest group.
"Send someone to protect Webb."
His voice became serious.
"24-hour personal protection."
"Don't let him have any accidents."
Julian nodded again and left the office.
Sterling sat back in his chair and picked up the whiskey on the table.
The amber liquid sways gently in the wine glass.
Adam's face came to his mind.
The young man's eyes reminded him of John White back then.
The same firmness, the same danger.
"John, your son is indeed very much like you."
He whispered to himself.
"But this time, I won't make the same mistake again."
He took a sip of the wine in his toast.
The spiciness of the liquid made his throat slightly hot.
Outside the window, the night of the city is still deep.
But beneath this surface of tranquility, a dark war has been fully launched.
[System prompt: Get Evelyn's asylum, get the offshore fund platform, the first mission has been released: Destroy Thomas Webb]
In Evelyn's clinic, the flame of the fireplace gradually faded.
But the cooperation between the three people has just begun to burn.
Adam lifted the suitcase with the remaining cash, his eyes shining with some kind of danger.
Tomorrow's charity dinner will be his first official attack on the road to revenge.