Max, Ellie, and Nicholas again convened at Max's apartment, city lights burning late into the night casting nervous anticipation shadows across their faces. Nicholas quickly to work, stacking a row of laptops and monitors on Max's messy desk, cables cascading over the wood like veins full of critical data.
"Alright, let's see what we've got," Nicholas growled, fingers flying across the keyboard with practiced ease. Data flowed across the screens, lines of code flashing in his glasses. Ellie and Max stood silently at attention, eyes on the digital maze unfolding before them.
"Seriously, can you trace it?" Ellie asked, hope and skepticism mingled.
"There's always a trail," Nicholas asserted. "The question is how to read it."
Max's gaze was fixed on Nicholas, the computers humming in the silence. His own mind spun with possibilities and horrors. Whoever had arranged for him to be set up was no amateur-they would have to be ready to be followed.
After a heart-stopping half-hour, Nicholas relaxed back with a satisfied grin. "Got it. The trades were made from an offshore account, very heavily encrypted. Cayman Islands, classic setup."
Max's eyes became black. "Can we trace it back to someone directly?"
Not so readily. But there's something here that's intriguing," Nicholas continued, pointing to a line of figures. "These accounts were set up some months ago, drawn up in advance specifically for this operation. That suggests that it wasn't an ad hoc decision. This had been planned, worked out a long time ahead."
Ellie frowned, crossing her arms nervously. "But how can we determine who is behind it?
Nicholas smiled knowingly. "They may have covered their tracks digitally, but there's always a weak link—people. Someone had to authorize the transfer of funds initially, which leaves a financial trail. Follow the money, find the culprit."
Max nodded slowly, determination steeling his nerves. "We'll need someone on the inside, someone who can quietly investigate without raising suspicion."
Ellie shifted uncomfortably, eyes clashing with Max's with reluctant resolve. "That means going back to the company, doesn't it?"
"Yes," Max confirmed bluntly. "But we can't send you alone. It's not safe. Nicholas, can you help Ellie over the computer?"
Nicholas nodded, already typing commands into his keyboard. "I'll set up a secure line, untraceable communication. Ellie, you'll be my eyes and ears."
Ellie released a sharp breath, bracing her shoulders. "All right. Let's do it.".
As they prepared for the risky mission, Max could not rid himself of a sense of urgency. He realized that this was only the beginning—a war within a war. But he was ready. Whoever had betrayed him would soon see they had made the wrong decision. Max Rothchild would not fade away into the night.