Episode 3: The Cost of Ambition
Cillian’s new role in Ethan’s secret operations wasn’t without its perks. The “bonuses” Ethan promised came swiftly—an unmarked envelope with cash delivered every Friday. Cillian moved into a better apartment, replaced his outdated laptop, and even treated himself to tailored suits. He was no longer the wide-eyed newcomer; he was Ethan’s trusted shadow.
But shadows have a way of catching the wrong kind of attention.
The Mistake
It started with an account linked to a high-profile client, a real estate mogul known for his aggressive tactics and dubious dealings. Ethan handed Cillian the project—a routine data scrub to erase records of financial irregularities.
“You’ve got three days,” Ethan said. “The client doesn’t like delays.”
Cillian worked quickly, pulling late nights in the server room. Everything seemed straightforward until the final step. The mogul’s records had a spiderweb of connections to other clients—politicians, celebrities, and even offshore accounts Ethan had warned him not to touch.
Something felt off. Ethan hadn’t mentioned the scope of this data. Was he testing Cillian’s loyalty—or setting him up to fail? Against his better judgment, Cillian left a backup of the mogul’s data on his private USB drive.
By the time the records were erased from the firm’s servers, Cillian thought he’d gotten away with it. But the next morning, Ethan stormed into the office, his face a mask of fury.
“Who else had access to the Johnson servers last night?” Ethan barked at the team.
Cillian’s stomach twisted. Someone had traced a failed transaction to the missing records. Ethan didn’t know it was Cillian yet, but it was only a matter of time.
A New Player Enters
That night, as Cillian left the office, he noticed a man leaning against a sleek black car parked near the entrance. The man was tall, with graying hair and a sharp suit that looked more expensive than Cillian’s entire wardrobe.
“Cillian Murphy?” the man asked, his voice calm but cold.
Cillian froze. He hadn’t told anyone at work his full name. “Who’s asking?”
The man smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Let’s just say I represent certain… interests tied to your recent work. Get in the car.”
Cillian hesitated but knew refusing wasn’t an option. He slid into the back seat, his pulse pounding.
The man joined him, closing the door. “You’ve been a busy man, haven’t you? Cleaning up messes for Ethan while building your own little archive on the side.”
Cillian’s mouth went dry. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The man leaned closer, his tone sharp. “Don’t insult me. I know about the backup. You’re playing a dangerous game, and you’ve caught the attention of people who don’t like being watched.”
The Warning
The car stopped at an empty parking garage. The man opened the door and gestured for Cillian to follow. On the top floor, a group of men stood in a loose circle. At the center was a briefcase and a baseball bat.
“This is your chance to walk away,” the man said. “Hand over the backup and forget whatever plans you had. Otherwise…” He nodded toward the group, who began cracking their knuckles.
Cillian stared at the briefcase, understanding what it represented—hush money to keep him quiet. He could take it, start over, and leave Ethan and the firm behind. But that would mean giving up everything he’d worked for.
He clenched his fists. “I can’t do that.”
The man sighed, disappointed. “I thought you’d say that.”
The First Move
What happened next was a blur. The group closed in, but Cillian wasn’t defenseless. He’d grown up fighting in the back alleys of Dublin, and survival had always been his strong suit. He took a hit to the ribs but managed to grab the bat, swinging it with desperate precision.
By the time the dust settled, Cillian stood over three groaning men, blood dripping from a cut on his forehead. The man in the suit watched, unfazed.
“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that,” he said. “But guts won’t get you far in this world. You’ve just made your first enemy—and believe me, he’s not someone you want to cross.”
Cillian wiped the blood from his mouth and smirked. “Then he should’ve sent better men.”
The man nodded, almost impressed. “We’ll see how long you last.” He turned and walked away, leaving Cillian alone in the garage.
The Rise Begins
Back in his apartment, Cillian nursed his wounds and stared at the USB drive. The man’s warning rang in his ears, but it didn’t deter him. If anything, it strengthened his resolve.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number he hadn’t used before—one of the clients from Ethan’s hidden list. When the line connected, Cillian spoke calmly.
“I have something you might find valuable. But it’ll cost you.”
This wasn’t just about survival anymore. Cillian was done being a pawn. He was ready to play the game his way—even if it meant putting himself in the crosshairs of powerful enemies.
End of Episode 3
Next Episode: Cillian’s bold gamble pays off, but his growing influence draws Ethan’s suspicion—and forces him into a dangerous confrontation.
