“Really?” Pete was surprised. When he first heard the women from the bomb shelter had been rescued, he considered many possibilities, but Felicia hadn't been among them.

“How did she get involved?” Pete’s expression hardened, then softened as he sipped his wine. A smirk touched his lips. “Interesting. No wonder Mr. Russell has his eye on her. She’s certainly…different.”

“Forget different! My plan is urgent! We can’t afford delays! Besides, she’s not alone; she has a whole group protecting her. I barely escaped today!” The hooded man’s voice crackled with fury. He’d always been untouchable, yet today… this disgraceful retreat. His eyes gleamed coldly. “We need to act fast. No more stalling!”

Pete nodded. “Understood. I’ll have someone lure Felicia out. Once she’s within reach, you can use the bronze bell to control her. She’ll be ready for new commands when she loses consciousness.”

“The sooner, the better,” the hooded man said, his anger subsiding, though his gaze remained wary. “Is he really going along with this…or scheming?” Suspicion flickered in his eyes. “What exactly is your plan?”

Pete chuckled, setting down his glass. “No need to be tense, sir. Aren’t we in this together?” He clapped his hands, a knowing smile spreading across his face. “I even prepared a little surprise for you. Why don’t you take a look?”

Footsteps echoed from behind a screen. A delicate shadow appeared, then a beautiful young woman stepped into view. She was undeniably attractive, yet her expression was tense, her presence sharp.

The hooded man glanced at her, then back at Pete. “What’s this supposed to mean?”

Pete’s tone remained light, though his words held a chilling undercurrent. “This is my plan. This is Johanna. I brought her from the Russell residence. Once we control Felicia, Johanna will take her place. What do you think, sir?”

The hooded man narrowed his eyes, then muttered, “You really think this will work?”

“With you involved, it will,” Pete replied humbly. Only the hooded man could wield the bronze bell; its power to control people, to turn even the strongest will into a mindless puppet, was beyond imagination. And in his hands, it had another function – hypnosis.

Flattered, the hooded man said nothing more. He entered a nearby room, closing the door behind him. “Call me when you need me.”

“Of course,” Pete nodded.

The door clicked shut. Pete turned to Johanna. He knew her mind was made up, but he felt compelled to reiterate, “I want you to kill Stephan. No matter what.”