?Chapter 1177:


    Meanwhile, in an old chapel in Wront, rainwater ran in steady streams from the eaves, while the indoor lights glowed far too warmly.


    After hanging up, Raegan set her phone face down on the table and let out a long sigh. She hadn’t lied—she just hadn’t told him the whole story.


    She had even hidden the death of Faceless, the fourth-ranked man in The Mask.


    But every move she made was meant to use the organization’s power… to eliminate Maia, her rival for the leader’s attention.


    With that thought in mind, Raegan tucked her hair behind her ear, a gleam of anticipation shing across her face. She felt one step closer to iming the leader’s favor.


    A few momentster, she rose and pushed the door open. Outside, the room was already filled with assembled members of the organization.


    Raegan straightened, making sure she looked perfectly at ease.


    She lifted her gaze and, with a carefully measured expression, said, “Everyone, listen up. Here’s what the leader wants us to do…”


    After some time had passed, Raegan ryed the leader’s message to the group. “That concludes the leader’s orders,” she said, her voice firm and low.


    She swept her gaze across the room before speaking again. “Are there any questions?”


    Before her words could settle, a man seated near the back lifted his hand. His mask, carved from dark walnut, caught the dim light.


    Raegan frowned slightly. “What is your question?” she asked, her tone edged with displeasure.


    The rest of the group turned to look at him, their attention fixed. But he remained calm, adjusting his mask with deliberate care, as though afraid it might slip and reveal who he truly was. Once he was sure it was secure, he spoke in an unhurried tone.


    “Ma’am, I was wondering about the reasoning behind our target. Why Maia Watson? From what I know, she has no connection to the Cooper Group. Of course, I’m only asking out of curiosity. It won’t change what I have to do.”


    Though his voice was quiet, it carried through the silence and drew whispers from the others.


    “He’s got a point. The Mask’s missions are meant to stay hidden, but going after her in public could blow our cover…”


    “Now that the charity g’s guest list has been posted across the inte, any exposed member could drag The Mask into the light. That would be reckless.”


    “Ma’am, would you walk us through the reasoning for this?”


    As the voices rose, Raegan lifted a hand deliberately.


    At once, the room fell into careful silence.


    Meeting his gaze, she nodded in approval and asked, “That was a sharp question. Tell me, then—what is your codename?”


    Walnut inclined his head and replied evenly, “My mask is carved from walnut, so people call me Walnut. That is the name I go by.” He added, “If I sounded presumptuous, I apologize. As vicemander, you may decline to answer.”


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