Building The Strongest Family
Chapter 144: A Web Of Shadows

"Not just turn," Arthur emphasized, his eyes locked onto Raven's image displayed on the screen. "I want to make her their worst nightmare. But we have to be surgical about it."

Evolon projected data between them, outlining three key pressure points in Raven's psychological profile:

The Jade Dominion Sector 7 reactor meltdown that claimed her parents' lives

Her forced recruitment and conditioning

Her younger sister's ongoing "protective custody"

Arthur pointed decisively at the third point. "This is our fulcrum. The Consortium's grip on her hinges on her sister. If we can break that hold,while making it look like their decision,we can leverage it."

"A three-phase psychologicaloperation then?" Evolon's voice took on a tactical tone. "Phase One: Seed doubt about her sister's wellbeing?"

"Exactly," Arthur replied as he moved to his desk and activated a blank holodisplay with a flourish.

"We start small, a corrupted medical file 'accidentally' sent to her secure terminal. Nothing overtly alarming, just enough to plant a seed of doubt."

Evolon expanded the schematic further, suggesting, "I can fabricate neural degradation markers in her sister's medical records, subtle signs at first: mood swings and memory lapses that escalate into more concerning symptoms."

Arthur nodded thoughtfully. "And we'll intercept real communications from her sister, altering the tone so they feel... off,like someone else is dictating them."

"Simple text analysis will reveal linguistic patterns," Evolon noted before pausing for effect. "Should we imply that the sister knows something dangerous?"

Arthur's smile turned razor-sharp as he leaned forward eagerly. "Perfect! A half-deleted sentence hinting at 'what they did to the other children' in the facility will let Raven's imagination do all the heavy lifting."

The screen flickered again as Evolon added another layer of complexity: "We could introduce security logs showing Renshu accessing her sister's files at odd hours, followed by a termination order with an obscured signature."

"Make her work for it," Arthur agreed enthusiastically. "The evidence should require decryption; she needs to feel like she's uncovering this herself."

They both fell silent, the weight of their plan settling heavily in the air.

The rich aroma of whiskey wafted between them, smoky and complex, much like the intricate scheme they were devising.

"Phase Two is going to require us to cut her off from Consortium support systems," Evolon finally broke the silence, his voice steady. "I can create simulated security breaches at her safehouses using stolen access codes from the Consortium."

Arthur swirled his drink thoughtfully. "And we'll have the Iron Serpents along with a few enemies from the Eastern Consortium spreading whispers in the underground. Rumors that Raven has fallen out of favor, that she's being set up to take the fall for recent failures."

Evolon nodded, his expression serious. "The psychological pressure will escalate when her usual extraction team is mysteriously unavailable during a critical moment."

He projected a timeline on a nearby screen: "A staged ambush where Consortium forces should have backed her up..."

"But don't," Arthur interjected, finishing Evolon's thought. "Leave her to fight alone. That's when we move to Phase Three."

The hologram flickered and shifted, revealing a blueprint of a black-site medical facility.

"The salvation gambit," Evolon confirmed with an air of excitement. "She uncovers records of an Osborn-funded black site, one equipped to treat her sister's 'condition.'"

Arthur leaned forward, intrigued. "But here's where it gets clever: when she breaks in to steal that information, she discovers two shocking things: First, that her sister has been moved to another facility; second, that the only escape route forces her through a Consortium security checkpoint."

"Forcing her hand," Evolon synthesized with satisfaction. "She'll have no choice but to battle through Consortium forces to escape, solidifying her status as a rogue agent."

The pieces hung in the air between them, a delicate web of manipulation and misdirection waiting to ensnare its target.

Outside, a neon advertisement flickered rhythmically, casting Arthur's face in alternating shades of crimson and cobalt.

"How long do you think this will take?" Arthur finally asked.

"With optimal execution? Six months to establish our pattern without raising any alarms," Evolon replied confidently.

Arthur downed the last of his whiskey; the ice cubes clinked together like a countdown ticking away their time.

"Then let's get started!"

-------------

Three Days Later - Aurelian Prime - Campbell Family Private Boardroom

The Campbell Family's private boardroom was more than just a meeting space; it was a testament to the unyielding grip of generational power.

Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the breathtaking skyline of Aurelian Prime,the Federation's first capital,where ancient stone spires from Old Panterra

architecture stood proudly alongside sleek, shimmering orbital towers that seemed to pierce the clouds.

The centerpiece of the room, a table carved from a single slab of black marble veined with gold, reflected the faces of twelve individuals who wielded immense influence within the Campbell dynasty.

At the head of this powerful assembly sat Kingston Campbell.

With ice-blue eyes that scanned the latest financial reports projected above him, he exuded an air of effortless superiority that only someone who has never heard "no" could possess.

At just twenty-eight years old, his platinum-blond hair swept back in an immaculate wave and his tailored suit,a fortune in itself,spoke volumes about his status.

"We're finalizing the Nebula Financial Consortium acquisition by week's end," he announced, his voice slicing through the murmurs like a knife. "Any objections?"

A momentary silence fell over the room as everyone exchanged glances before shaking their heads in unison.

Just then, his phone vibrated with urgency, a priority alert, encrypted and unmistakably important.

Kingston frowned. Only three people had access to this channel: his father, the family's head of security, and...Christopher.

He tapped on the notification. Suddenly, a holographic screen flickered to life above the table, hijacked by an incoming transmission. Gasps echoed through the room as grainy security footage began to play:

Christopher's office during a power outage; a shadowy figure emerging from darkness; and then, the chilling flash of monofilament wire slicing open his brother's throat.

The video concluded with a stark message:

[ "The Viper always strikes twice." –EC ]

Silence enveloped them like a heavy fog; even breathing became audible in its intensity. Then chaos erupted.

Kingston remained motionless,didn't blink or breathe, as fury coursed through him like wildfire.

His fingers curled into fists so tight that his knuckles turned white while shouts filled the room around him.

Christopher was dead, his little brother, once arrogant and reckless but still family,was gone.

And someone had dared to send him this footage like it was some twisted trophy.

"Kingston!" His uncle's voice finally broke through his haze. "What on Earth is happening?!"

In one swift motion, Kingston stood up abruptly; his chair screeched against marble as he declared coldly, "Meeting adjourned."

He stormed out before anyone could protest.

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