Levi's voice was cold as he asked, "Where's my room key?"
Marseille hesitated before replying, "I already gave the key to your intern."
Levi's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Intern? I don't have an intern."
"I heard it from you during your phone call," Marseille said, trying to stay calm but visibly tense.
Levi's jaw clenched as he leaned forward, voice low and threatening. "Who gave you that idea?"
Marseille swallowed hard, sensing the storm about to break.
Mr. Levi and his two assistants hurried through the hotel lobby, their footsteps echoing against the marble floor. The tension was thick in the air as Levi's sharp eyes scanned every face they passed. Suddenly, he collided with a figure moving quickly past him.
"Watch where you're going!" Levi snapped, but as his gaze fell on the woman, he hesitated.
She was dressed entirely in black—tight pants, a fitted top, boots—and her hoodie was pulled low over her face. She moved with practiced ease, slipping past him before he could get a better look.
"Wait—" Levi started, but she was already gone, blending seamlessly into the crowd.
The receptionists glanced at each other, confused. Marseille, the one who'd handed over the key earlier, barely recognized the woman in the sleek black outfit. The Ivy she had seen before was different—more casual, more innocent. This woman was a shadow.
Levi frowned, exchanging a look with his assistants. "Did you see her?" he asked.
"No, sir," one assistant replied. "Too fast."
Levi's jaw tightened. Whatever was going on, he knew trouble was brewing—and fast
~ Reign Dynamics – Lucian's Office ~
Lucian stood by the window, sleeves rolled up, a glass of whiskey untouched beside his laptop. The skyline stretched endlessly, but his gaze was fixed and unreadable.
The door opened quietly. Victor stepped in, tablet in hand. "We have a situation."
Lucian didn't turn. "From who?"
"Levi Anderson."
That made Lucian glance over, eyes sharp.
Victor continued, "Apparently, someone broke into his hotel suite this morning. A woman. Claimed to be his intern. Got past the front desk using his name—voice verification. The receptionist swore it was Levi on the call."
Lucian gave a cold chuckle. "Levi's still sloppy with his tech, I see."
Victor smirked slightly. "He's blaming us. Thinks we sent someone."
Lucian's expression darkened. "Of course he does. That snake's been waiting for an excuse."
Victor hesitated. "Should I reach out? Or let him sweat?"
Lucian turned, voice low and deliberate. "Let him sweat. But keep eyes on whoever that girl was. Anyone who can fake a call like that... isn't ordinary."
Victor nodded. "Already on it.
~ abandoned garage 9:10pm~
The sky is painted in dying gold as Ivy stands on a quiet rooftop, the hum of the city far below. She wears a hooded coat, calm and unreadable.
Rico steps out from the shadows, smug. "Took you long enough," he says, hands in pockets.
Ivy tosses a small black chip in a protective case toward him. "Here's your precious chip. Don't break it."
Rico catches it. "Always so dramatic."
Ivy smirks. "Try not to get killed with it."
She walks past him, disappearing down the stairs. Rico stays, looking at the chip.
~ few days later – Rico's tech company HQ~
Alarms blare. Agents scramble. Rico stares at a screen, the chip open and decoded—blank.
"She duped us," he mutters. "That wasn't the chip."
One of the analysts adds, "She wiped our system too—her logs are clean."
Rico clenches his jaw. "She played us."
~ meanwhile....
Ivy walks through a luxury apartment, sipping wine, flipping the real chip in her fingers with a wicked grin.