Chapter 221: The Storm Beneath The Surface

The dimly lit chamber of the Osborn Underground Headquarters pulsed with life, a low hum emanating from servers and glowing monitors.

Translucent holoscreens flickered to life, casting ghostly blue light that danced across polished walls and illuminated the figures gathered within.

At the head of the war room stood Arthur, his presence commanding and unwavering.

Clad in his signature midnight-black trench coat, his expression was inscrutable, like a statue carved from obsidian.

Leaning against a reinforced steel table was Malik, arms crossed, radiating an energy charged with anticipation.

Nearby, Selene’s ash-blonde hair was neatly braided, her eyes sparkling with a fierce determination.

Jax Krayne, ever the enforcer, lounged against the wall, casually cleaning under his fingernails with the edge of a sleek matte-black combat knife.

Before them hovered dozens of holoscreens displaying vital intel: schematics, dossiers, satellite scans, bank ledgers, all glowing ominously in cold blue light.

“Evolon,” Arthur began lightly but with an edge of authority in his voice. “Bring up information on the individual behind this kidnapping incident.”

From a focused pulse emerged Evolon’s spectral form above the central control module.

“Target identified: Edrin Halvorth, Patriarch of the Halvorth Industrial Group, one of Neo-Luminara’s elite families. Coordinates acquired; motive confirmed: retaliation for loss of assets.”

Arthur’s voice dropped to a cold whisper. “I want the full file.”

With a crisp sound, the room transformed. Evolon flooded the air with a torrent of intel, name after name, file after file, photo after photo.

Edrin’s entire family tree unfolded on the screen: five legal wives, three known mistresses, eleven children, four legitimate businesses, seven offshore accounts, and even a covert private military arm masquerading as a security firm.

Arthur stood with his hands clasped behind his back, an amused glint in his eye. “So this is the rat who dared to lay a finger on my brother?”

Evolon confirmed with chilling precision. “Surveillance indicates he financed the abduction of Billy and Kaia through funds routed via a shell company registered in Frostara.”

Malik scoffed in disdain. “What a sloppy bastard.”

Arthur’s gaze sharpened like diamond as he smiled casually. “I think he believed I’d hesitate, that I’d negotiate as long as he had Billy. That’s where he made his mistake.”

He chuckled softly, shaking his head in amusement before turning to face the trio before him.

“Selene, Jax, Malik, this is your assignment.”

Instantly serious expressions replaced their casual demeanor; especially Malik and Selene felt the weight of this being their first assignment from Arthur. They knew they had to impress him.

“Selene,” Arthur instructed firmly, “you’ll handle the financial collapse. Strip every account tied to the Halvorth name, every credit line, every asset, every dummy corporation. I want them begging for bread by dawn.”

Selene nodded with icy calmness. “Understood, I’ll make it look like the Federation Central Tax Bureau froze everything; no traces left behind.”

Arthur took a moment to gather his thoughts before addressing Selene.

“It might be tough for you to handle this alone, but Evolon is here to assist. He’ll provide pointers, but ultimately, the execution is up to you.”

Selene paused, slightly taken aback. She tilted her head and met Evolon’s emotionless blue gaze, then nodded in understanding.

Turning his attention to Jax, Arthur’s voice sharpened. “Jax, I need you to track down every security detail associated with Halvorth. If they resist? Break their arms. And burn every warehouse, depot, bunker, any fallback point they have.”

Jax caught his knife mid-air with a smooth flick of his wrist. “When I’m done, they won’t even have a pistol left.”

Finally, he faced Malik. “You know what I need from you.”

The old warhound grinned grimly. “Give me three days; in three days’ time, he’ll vanish from Panterra’s surface.”

“Not just him,” Arthur’s voice turned icy as he continued.

“Anyone connected by blood: mistresses, cousins running his logistics firm, the smug lawyer cousin managing the family trust. If they’ve breathed the same air as Edrin Halvorth… make sure they disappear too.”

Evolon chimed in with calculated precision. “Collateral risk assessment complete: seventy-three related parties identified, thirty-two core associates and thirty-three business branches across three continents. Confirm directives?”

Arthur didn’t blink as he replied firmly, “Wipe them clean.”

Malik nodded curtly. “Consider it done.”

Evolon’s interface pulsed with activity. “Commencing packet transfers to operative teams across Aurelia, Ignis, and Zephyria. Vanguard Units Omega, Echo, and Wraith are mobilizing for Operation Ashfall.”

“Good,” Arthur said decisively as he looked at Malik. “You’ll be in charge of these units, make it clean.”

“Yes boss!” Malik stood straight and responded loudly; excitement tinged his voice.

Arthur stepped forward into the sea of glowing data and tapped on the holoscreen displaying Edrin’s portrait, a frozen smirk that infuriated him.

“Let this serve as an eternal lesson to anyone else who dares cross my family,” he declared.

He glared at Edrin’s image before adding ominously, “When you play games with my family… you don’t just lose; you get erased from the board.” With a sharp swipe of his hand, Edrin’s face vanished.

Selene turned to leave first. “I’ll start tracking those offshore accounts.”

Jax cracked his knuckles with anticipation. “Time to sharpen my blades.”

Malik smirked darkly as he followed suit. “Let’s make some ghosts.”

All of them quickly left the underground room with various expressions on their faces but ultimately none of them wants t9 fail Arthur.

Arthur stood at the heart of the room, a silent sentinel as he watched them leave.

The air was thick with tension, and he could feel the weight of what was to come.

“Evolon, after this, send the footage of Edrin’s capture along with the downfall of the Halvorth Industrial Group to everyone, to the others” Arthur commanded, his voice steady and calm.

“Yes, Sir!” Evolon responded promptly, ready to execute the order without hesitation.

Beneath the surface of Panterra, a war had been declared, though this time it would unfold unseen.

As for the Halvorths, they will be nothing more than echoes in the shadows.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep