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On other side...
High above the sprawling metropolis, in the sleek, obsidian-and-glass corner office of Vanguard Global's headquarters, the undisputed queen of the city's underworld was currently rubbing her temples in profound, agonizing defeat.
Kaya stared at the printed document resting on her polished mahogany desk as if it were a highly venomous snake.
"Arthur," Kaya muttered, her voice muffled behind her hands. "Please tell me this is a typographical error. Please tell me it's a lie."
Standing perfectly still on the other side of the desk was Arthur, her middle-aged, bespectacled executive secretary. Before Vanguard Global became a legitimate corporate monopoly, Arthur had been the chief quartermaster and quartermaster for a highly illegal underground mercenary syndicate. He had traded his tactical vests for tailored suits, but he had retained his absolute, unwavering lack of fear when it came to his Commander.
