?Chapter 1573:


    Suddenly, on the central airspace monitoring radar, two yellow dots blinked into existence.


    The duty major froze for half a second, then zoomed in rapidly, fingers dancing across the console. He shot to his feet and crossed to themand desk in two strides.


    “General—radar has picked up unidentified aircraft over Wront airspace. All flight reports have been checked and confirmed: these are not ours, nor are they civilian or police.”


    Dominic sat in themand chair, reviewing ssified files on Cooper Group. At the report, he slowly lifted his head. His eyes—honed by years of war—showed no rm, only the calm assurance of a man who had seen far worse.


    “What’s their altitude?” he asked.


    “Flying low—hugging the terrain to avoid standard radar coverage.”


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    “How many?”


    “Two confirmed, holding tight formation and steady distance.”


    Dominic rose smoothly and moved to therge screen. Hands sped behind his back, he studied the two advancing dots. Their path cut through the forested outskirts of Wront—precise, controlled, purposeful.


    His gaze darkened slightly. Then the corner of his mouth lifted in a faint, dangerous smile.


    “Interesting,” he murmured. “Right under our noses, and another armed force rolls in with this level of equipment?”


    Beside him, his adjutant’s hand hovered over the red alert button. “General—should we intercept?”


    “No,” Dominic said, eyes narrowing. “Don’t spook them yet. Deploy the rapid-response mobile unit and special forces teams immediately.” He waved a decisive hand. “I want to know exactly who they are. How deep does Cooper Group’s reach really go in Wront? Tonight, I intend to rip it out by the roots.”


    The wind screamed through the darkness.


    On the deste highway north of Wront, a sleek ck sedan glided through the night. Maia reclined in the passenger seat, eyes closed, drifting into a light sleep.


    Suddenly, a shrill screech of brakes ripped the silence apart.


    The car lurched violently to the right under crushing centrifugal force. The seatbelt dug painfully into Maia’s chest as inertia mmed her against the door. Tires howled against the asphalt, filling the air with the acrid stench of burning rubber.


    The sedan spun nearly a full circle before skidding to a stop on the gravel shoulder. Maia snapped awake, pulse thundering, and gripped the overhead handle to steady herself.


    “What’s wrong?” she asked, whipping her head toward the driver.


    Siena clutched the wheel with white-knuckled hands, one arm instinctively outstretched to shield Maia. Her face was pale, her breath ragged.


    “Damn lunatics!” Siena snarled. “A police car just barreled out of that side road—no lights, no siren, going the wrong way. If I’d reacted a secondter, we’d be scrap metal.”


    Maia frowned, concern etching her features. “You alright, Siena?”


    “Yeah… yeah, I’m good,” Siena muttered, still visibly shaken.


    Maia nodded, but her eyes scanned the ck void ahead where the police car had vanished. Only distant trees swayed in the wind. A chill of unease settled over her.


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