In the heart of the city, a neon sign reading The Cooperation Club glowed softly through the evening haze. Electronic music echoed inside, lights shifting lazily across the crowded room.
Damon Vale, a calm yet sharp-eyed young man, stepped into the club. Unlike other guests, he moved with quiet purpose, unaffected by the noise and the energy around him.
At the far end of the VIP lounge, behind thick black curtains, a man lounged comfortably on a leather sofa. His smile was subtle, his eyes holding a sense of ownership and control.
He was Cassian Vale, Damon's older brother—
Owner of The Cooperation, and someone who liked pulling strings from the shadows.
"You don't visit my place often," Cassian said, lifting his drink with a lazy grin.
"You still look as tense as ever."
Damon remained standing for a moment before finally taking a seat.
"I'm not here to relax."
Cassian raised an eyebrow, as if he had already predicted that.
"Of course. You only come when you have business."
Damon met his gaze, steady and unwavering.
"I'm here about one thing. The company meeting tomorrow. Father wants me to help present the new project."
Cassian's smile sharpened, almost unreadable.
"Of course he asked you. You're his favorite." He leaned forward slightly. "But remember, I'll be taking part in that event too."
Damon exhaled slowly, voice calm yet edged with caution.
"I know. That's why I came. I want everything to go smoothly… without complications."
Cassian chuckled—quiet, satisfied.
"Alright… I'll play along," he said, then pointed at Damon with a teasing gesture.
"But keep this a secret from Father, okay? He doesn't need to know anything about my plans."
Damon hesitated, weighing the consequences behind his brother's words.
"I'll keep it secret. For now."
Cassian's grin widened—
A sign that his newest game had just begun.
Damon rose from the sofa.
"I'll go now. We'll talk again at the meeting tomorrow."
He turned to leave, but Cassian stopped him with a light tap on the armrest.
"Damon…"
Cassian's voice dropped, calm but filled with pressure.
"Don't forget about that person… the honest police officer who keeps interfering with our operations. Father must never know, but his presence could ruin the company's plans."
Damon glanced back slightly, expression unreadable.
"The obstacle, you mean?"
Cassian smirked faintly.
"Yes. We just need to make sure he doesn't slow us down. That's all."
There were no harsh threats, only the usual coded language Cassian liked to use—yet Damon understood perfectly.
He nodded once.
"I know. But we do things properly. No reckless moves."
Cassian narrowed his eyes but didn't argue.
"Fine. Go, then."
Damon finally stepped out of the VIP room, leaving Cassian alone with his thoughts—dangerous, calculating, and very satisfied.
Meanwhile
Late evening settled over the Carter house.
Inside his room, Alex sat at his desk, staring at his textbook without really seeing it. His hand held a pencil, but the page remained empty.
His mind kept replaying what happened at school—the argument at the gate, the broken window, the strange laughter from below.
Something about the whole situation felt… wrong.
The door to his room opened a little.
"Alex?"
Nancy peeked in, her face a mix of concern and curiosity.
"What's going on?" she asked, stepping inside and sitting on his bed. "You've been quiet ever since we got home. Something bothering you?"
Alex let out a long breath.
"I'm just… thinking. Something doesn't feel right."
Nancy studied her brother, waiting for him to explain more.
Alex was about to answer Nancy when their mother's voice echoed from downstairs.
"Alex, Nancy! Come down for a moment!"
The two siblings traded a confused glance.
They headed downstairs, and as soon as they reached the living room, they froze.
Their father was already there, sitting on the sofa with several boxes of expensive takeout from a city restaurant.
He gave a small, awkward smile.
"I'm not a bad father, right?" he joked lightly—though it came out more like a defensive plea.
Nancy's expression stayed cold. She only nodded faintly, keeping her distance.
Alex noticed and looked at her before turning back to their father.
"How's… things going with that woman?" Alex asked honestly—no anger, just a direct question.
It was enough to make their father stiffen.
From the kitchen, their mother glanced over briefly, pretending to stay busy.
Their father inhaled, ready to answer, but—
BRRRR— His phone rang.
He pulled it out quickly.
On the other end, a voice spoke over a noisy background—almost like a protest or a busy crowd.
"Can you meet me at the usual place? I've got a job for you," the voice said—fast, urgent—before hanging up.
Their father went silent for a moment, then stood up.
"I need to go. Something came up at the company," he said, grabbing his jacket.
He didn't wait for a reaction.
The door closed behind him, leaving an atmosphere filled with unfinished tension.
Nancy stared at the door for a long moment.
"Why does it feel like… he's hiding something?" she muttered softly.
Alex didn't answer.
But the uneasy feeling inside him—
was growing stronger.
The living room fell quiet after their father left.
Nancy kept staring at the door, while Alex looked like he was trying to solve a puzzle inside his head.
A moment later, their mother appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Come on, let's eat," she said gently but firmly. "You two have school tomorrow, right? So after dinner, straight to bed. No staying up late."
Nancy nodded and walked to the dining table.
Alex followed, though his mind was still drifting, replaying the strange phone call their father had received.
Their mother placed the dishes on the table, clearly trying to keep the evening normal.
But Alex could sense something else—something she wasn't saying.
A quiet worry behind her soft smile.
As they ate, the clinking of plates was the only sound.
No one really talked.
And behind his mother's calm expression, Alex noticed a flicker of concern—like she, too, knew something wasn't right with their father.