Chapter 37 - Counter Moves
Jack exits the restaurant with Chris and Mia by his side. The alliance with Alex Grant is a step forward, but it's not enough. Derek and Lisa still have the upper hand, and the clock is ticking.
"We need more leverage," Jack mutters as they walk toward the car. "Alex's support is valuable, but we need someone with deeper connections – someone who can get us inside Horizon Holdings."
Mia pauses. "I might know someone."
Jack turns to her. "Who?"
"Sophia Wu," Mia says. "She was Lisa's personal assistant when Lisa first joined Horizon. They were close – until Lisa threw her under the bus to cover up a scandal. Sophia got fired and blacklisted. Last I heard, she was working in a small accounting firm downtown."
Jack's eyes light up. "Perfect. Reach out to her. Set up a meeting as soon as possible."
[New Mission Unlocked: Recruit Sophia Wu. Reward: Inside Information Lv. 1.]
---
Two hours later, Jack and Mia sit in a dingy café in the outskirts of the city. The place is nearly empty, the air thick with the scent of stale coffee. Sophia Wu enters, looking around nervously. She's thin, with dark circles under her eyes and a wary expression.
"Jack Carter?" she asks, sliding into the booth.
"Sophia," Jack says, offering a polite nod. "Thank you for meeting us."
"I don't know why I'm here," Sophia says, her voice tight. "If Lisa finds out I'm talking to you –"
"Lisa won't find out," Jack interrupts, leaning forward. "I need your help, Sophia. Lisa and Derek are plotting a hostile takeover. I need to know what Horizon is planning."
Sophia laughs bitterly. "You think I still have contacts in Horizon? Lisa made sure no one would touch me after she framed me."
"You may not have contacts," Jack says, sliding a folder across the table. "But you have information."
Sophia flips open the folder, eyes widening. Inside are financial statements, transaction records, and internal memos – all indicating that Lisa is funneling money through offshore accounts to fund Derek's takeover attempt.
"How did you get these?" Sophia whispers.
"Does it matter?" Jack replies. "What matters is that we can use them to take Lisa down – and clear your name in the process."
Sophia hesitates, her eyes darting around the café. "What do you want me to do?"
"I need you to reconnect with your old contacts at Horizon," Jack says. "Find out exactly how Lisa is moving her money and who else is backing her."
"And what do I get in return?" Sophia asks, folding her arms.
"Protection," Jack says. "And a chance to get your life back."
Sophia takes a deep breath, then nods. "I'm in."
[Mission Update: Recruit Sophia Wu. Progress: 100%]
As Sophia leaves, Mia turns to Jack. "Do you think she'll really help us?"
"She doesn't have a choice," Jack says, eyes hardening. "Lisa ruined her life. Now it's time for payback."