The only light in Arga’s office came from one corner of the room, casting a warm circle in the middle of the dark night. Outside the window, Jakarta’s sky was wrapped in shades of gray, with a fine drizzle still faithfully falling.

“If we take this route,” Arga said, swiveling his laptop screen toward Vania, “we can cut off Devandra’s access to the suppliers. Without supplies, his plans will be delayed.”

Vania tilted her head, her eyes locked on the tables and charts on the screen. “It’s risky. If he catches on, he’ll change his strategy overnight.”

“That’s why,” Arga replied, a faint smile on his lips, “we have to...