Dawn was breaking as David Yang stood before a strategy board filled with photos, documents, and a web of colorful connecting lines. His eyes were red from lack of sleep, but his mind remained sharp. Robert entered with the latest report.
"They're hiding her at Grant's old villa in the hills. The place is like a fortress, Boss," Robert reported with a serious expression.
David didn't look up from the map in front of him. "I don't want a direct assault. Grant is expecting that."
"Then what's our plan?"
"We'll hit him where it hurts. Freeze all of Grant's liquid assets. I want his company to die a slow death." David finally looked at Robert. "And prepare my offer for his company directors. Whoever defects from Grant will get a stake in this company."
Meanwhile, in the remote villa, Elara woke up in a luxurious room that made her feel like she was in a gilded cage. Grant had treated her well—good food, a nice room—but every door was locked and the windows were barred.
Grant visited her during breakfast, sitting across from her with a thin smile. "David is trying to freeze my assets. He thinks money is everything."
Elara put down her spoon. "You don't know David like I do. He won't stop."
"That's exactly what I'm waiting for," Grant replied. "I want to see how far he'll fall for you."
On another occasion, when her guards were careless, Elara managed to take a small fork from the dining table. Carefully, she scratched a specific pattern behind the headboard—a code only she and David knew from their past.
A few days later, David got a breakthrough. A young director from Grant's company, who felt undervalued, came to him with important information.
"Grant often talks about 'Project Helios'," the young director said. "I don't know the details, but it's something huge."
David immediately ordered his team to investigate. It turned out Helios was Grant's secret project to build a new technology center—a project that could let him dominate the market for the coming decade.
"This is the weak spot," David murmured. "Robert, I want all the details on this project. And prepare a team to infiltrate."
When night fell, Elara heard noises outside her villa. She walked to the window and saw several new cars arriving. One of the guards was talking loudly about "speeding up the project" and "a new team from Tokyo."
She quickly memorized this information. The next day, when Grant visited her again, Elara casually mentioned "speeding up the project" and "the Tokyo team."
Grant's face turned pale. "Who told you that?"
Elara just smiled. "You think you're the only one with eyes and ears everywhere?"
Grant's fear was proof that this information was important. Elara knew she had to get it to David.
Using some leftover jewelry she had hidden, Elara bribed the youngest and most vulnerable-looking guard. "Deliver this message to David Yang, and you'll get ten times what I'm giving you."
Meanwhile, David had found another weakness—Clara. The woman was beginning to panic as the situation developed. David went to see her directly.
"Grant is using you, Clara. Once he achieves his goal, you'll be the next victim," David said convincingly.
Clara looked hesitant. "But—"
"I'm offering protection. For you and Bimo. But I need information about Grant's real plans."
Clara cried. She knew David was right. "He... he has a plan to trap you. He wants you to attack his villa so he can capture you."
David smiled. "I thought so."
Back at the villa, Elara successfully obtained a phone from the bribed guard. She sent a short message to David: "Helios is bait. Don't attack. I'm safe."
A few minutes later, a reply came: "Already knew. Wait for instructions. Tomorrow night."
David watched the sunset from his office, a perfect plan beginning to form in his mind. Grant thought he was the hunter, but he was the one being hunted. And Elara, who was supposed to be a captive, had instead become his best spy. The game of cat and mouse had changed—now the mouse was leading the cat into a trap.