"What do you gain from destroying Rachel?" Gwen added.

Ethan glanced at Gwen briefly, and for the first time, his mask seemed to crack. There was a flash of something darker, deeper—hatred. "Rachel has ruined other people's lives. Now, it's time for her to pay."

Gwen held her breath, her suspicions slowly forming. But before she could voice her thoughts, Ethan straightened up again, his expression calm once more. "Trust me, this will work. And when the time comes, she won't even see it coming."

Dominic nodded, though Gwen knew he still harbored doubts. But in this secret war, Ethan was their best—and only—weapon. The game had begun, and it...