CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE – THE FINAL SHOWDOWN

Karl was an imposing figure, his presence filling the room. His eyes, cold and calculating, seemed to pierce right through them. "So," he said, his voice deceptively soft, "you claim to have turned against your former allies. Why should I believe you?" Cassie stepped forward, playing her role to perfection. "Because we know we're on the losing side," she said, injecting her voice with just the right amount of desperation. "The Moonlight Alliance is falling apart. Internal conflicts, lack of resources... It's only a matter of time before it collapses completely." Florian nodded in agreement. "We want to be on the winning side," he added. "And we have information that can help you crush them once and for all." Karl studied them intently, his expression unreadable. For a heart-stopping moment, Cassie was certain he had seen through their deception. But then he smiled, a cold, predatory expression that didn't reach his eyes. "Very well," he said. "You'll be kept under close observation