[T/N: From Chapter 211, the raws had issues. All the lines got jumbled, so I have been trying to understand what the flow is, separating the scenes, etc. But it is getting more difficult. I will edit the chapters later if needed.]
[Chapter 214: Intimidated]
The area where Piero was shot was a vast open beach, stretching as far as the eye could see. The nearest cover or obstruction was about 1.5 kilometers away, indicating that the assassin had fired from at least that distance.
More shockingly, when Piero was shot, he was playing tag on the beach with several women -- moving unpredictably. To land a headshot under such conditions from such a long distance...
Bro-Arwick gasped when he reviewed the scene.
"To hit a moving target in the head, from 1.5 kilometers away, while the target is engaged in erratic movement... this kind of precision only exists among the world's top-tier assassins," he muttered. "Fewer than five people worldwide could pull this off."
Even a president's security detail wouldn't guarantee survival if targeted by such a figure.
"To send someone of that caliber to eliminate a failed infiltrator... In broad daylight, with a single shot to the head?" He shivered. "This isn't just an execution -- this is a message."
But why? Why use such an elite, expensive assassin for someone as minor as Piero?
"No. This kind of person... is untouchable. If we provoke them further, our entire faction could be wiped out."
---
Later, Bro-Arwick held a private meeting with his inner circle.
"So what?" one subordinate said. "We can still infiltrate slowly."
"We'll investigate further," Bro-Arwick replied. "We're still strong. No need to create a powerful enemy."
They reviewed the details again. Piero had been enjoying himself with several young men and women on the beach when he was gunned down. There were no nearby obstacles. The shot came from extreme range.
"There are probably fewer than eight such assassins worldwide. Just hiring one of them probably cost over a million dollars," someone whispered.
"Intimidation. A warning," Bro-Arwick said. "They let him leave the Thunder Base. But then they showed us what they're capable of... by executing one of our own in public. We need to change strategies -- use business means from now on."
"Understood, boss."
The faction leaders began discussing broader concerns. Though the Jewish hardliner faction hadn't fully taken over Hollywood, Jewish managers were steadily advancing, gaining low-level control in many film and talent agencies.
Bro-Arwick dismissed the group and made a confidential call: "Ma'am, I need to report this in person."
"You're sure this couldn't be handled by phone?"
"No, ma'am. This is serious."
---
At a quiet estate on Long Island, Bro-Arwick met with his superior -- Hillary Douglas, the young boss of the Douglas family.
The Douglas family in New York -- the hardliner faction's backbone -- also led the Middle East reunification movement and held limited media shares. Still, their ambitions were vast.
"Did he really come personally?" Hillary asked.
"There's no confirmation. But you understand -- we can't afford to provoke someone of that level."
"Miami and Hawaii police found nothing?" Hillary pressed.
"Not even a bullet casing. No trajectory data. It's as if the shooter vanished into thin air. We're dealing with a ghost."
"FBI involved?"
"Not yet. And I doubt they could help. The level of this operation is beyond them."
Hillary was silent for a moment, then spoke with conviction: "This is not just about an assassin. It's a declaration. If we keep pushing, they will escalate."
Bro-Arwick nodded. "Even if there's no direct conflict, the risk of antagonizing such a force is too high."
"Did you arrange Piero's infiltration?"
Bro-Arwick hesitated. "Yes... but he was eliminated quickly. Due to 'value misalignment.'"
"You understand what this means?" Hillary said coldly. "If they find out it was us, and respond again with this level of force -- we're not safe. Neither you, nor I."
"I understand. For now, we'll stop. I will delete all infiltration records and wait for new orders."
Hillary agreed. "This wasn't a warning for Piero's faction. It was directed at us. Telling us not to interfere further -- or face annihilation."
Bro-Arwick wiped his brow. "You mean... our faction might have provoked something too powerful?"
"Yes. We underestimated them."
---
That same day, Golden Stone Security's external consulting firm also analyzed the Miami shooting scene.
"Still no evidence," they reported. "No bullet, no shell casing. Just a corpse with a perfect kill shot from over 1.8 kilometers away."
"What about the FBI?" someone asked.
"They won't help. Even if they got involved, they wouldn't find anything."
"Then we're vulnerable."
"Yes," Bro-Arwick said. "If we keep interfering, we escalate conflict we can't control."
He made one final call to Washington: "All infiltration plans are suspended. We're pulling back. This is bigger than we imagined."
*****
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