Episode 4: Smoke and Mirrors
The deal Cillian made with Ethan’s client—a bold gamble—paid off in ways he couldn’t have imagined. The client, desperate to keep their secrets buried, wired a six-figure sum to a hidden offshore account Cillian had set up. But it wasn’t just the money that mattered; it was the shift in power.
Cillian had proven to himself—and to the world—that he could play the game.
A Growing Shadow
Cillian’s rise didn’t go unnoticed. Ethan’s keen eyes missed nothing, and he started to notice subtle changes in his protégé. Cillian was no longer just a quiet workhorse; he was confident, strategic, and had access to clients Ethan hadn’t explicitly assigned to him.
One evening, Ethan called him into his office. The blinds were drawn, and the faint smell of cigar smoke lingered in the air.
“Cillian,” Ethan began, his voice calm but laced with suspicion. “You’ve been doing some impressive work lately. Too impressive.”
Cillian forced a smile. “Just trying to live up to your expectations.”
Ethan leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Spare me the flattery. I know you’ve been making moves on the side. Deals with my clients. Care to explain?”
Cillian’s mind raced. He couldn’t deny the truth outright—Ethan likely had evidence. Instead, he opted for a half-truth.
“I saw an opportunity to make us more money,” Cillian said evenly. “Your client was panicking, and I stepped in to clean it up before it became a bigger problem.”
Ethan studied him for a moment before leaning back. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. But don’t forget who brought you into this. Step out of line again, and I’ll make sure you regret it.”
Cillian nodded, outwardly submissive, but inside, he seethed. Ethan’s warning only confirmed what Cillian already knew: the two of them couldn’t coexist for long.
The Plan
Cillian spent the next few weeks carefully orchestrating his next move. He knew he couldn’t confront Ethan directly—not yet. Instead, he focused on building alliances.
He started with Ethan’s most important clients, subtly inserting himself into their operations. He offered them solutions Ethan hadn’t thought of, cleaned up their messes faster than Ethan ever could, and most importantly, kept their secrets safer.
One by one, they began to trust Cillian more than they trusted Ethan.
A Dangerous Partnership
In the midst of his maneuvering, Cillian crossed paths with a woman named Valeria. She was a fixer for one of Manhattan’s most notorious crime families, known for her ruthless efficiency and icy demeanor.
They met at a private club, introduced by one of Ethan’s clients who owed both of them favors. Valeria sized him up with cold, calculating eyes.
“I’ve heard about you,” she said, sipping a glass of red wine. “The Irishman who’s been stirring the pot.”
Cillian smirked. “Just trying to make a name for myself.”
Valeria leaned closer. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Cillian. Ethan’s no saint, but he’s well-connected. If you’re planning to take him down, you’ll need help.”
Cillian hesitated. Trusting someone like Valeria was a risk, but he knew he couldn’t do this alone. “What’s your price?”
She smiled faintly. “When the time comes, I’ll let you know.”
The Confrontation
Cillian’s growing influence finally pushed Ethan over the edge. Late one night, Ethan burst into the office, his face red with rage. He slammed a folder onto Cillian’s desk, scattering its contents—printouts of emails, transaction logs, and client notes.
“You think I’m stupid?” Ethan snarled. “I know you’ve been undermining me. Stealing my clients, cutting me out of deals. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?”
Cillian stood, meeting Ethan’s glare without flinching. “I’ve been fixing your messes. If I hadn’t stepped in, half your clients would’ve walked away.”
Ethan’s lips curled into a sneer. “You’ve got some nerve, kid. But you’re in way over your head. You think these people are loyal to you? They’re using you, just like I did.”
Cillian took a step closer, his voice low and steady. “Maybe. But here’s the difference between us, Ethan: I’m building something. You’re just clinging to what little power you have left.”
For a moment, the office was silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Then Ethan laughed—a bitter, hollow sound.
“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that,” he said, echoing his earlier words. “But guts won’t save you when the wolves come knocking.”
The Turning Point
That night, Cillian received a call from Valeria.
“It’s time,” she said simply.
She sent him an address—a high-rise building in downtown Manhattan. When he arrived, she was waiting in a private suite with two men who looked like they could snap Cillian in half without breaking a sweat.
“This is how it works,” Valeria said. “We take Ethan out of the picture, and you take over his clients. In return, you’ll handle a few… special projects for us.”
Cillian hesitated. He knew what she was asking—this wasn’t just a business deal. It was a pact with the devil.
But as he looked out over the city lights, he realized there was no turning back.
“Deal,” he said.
Valeria smiled, a predator’s grin. “Good. Ethan won’t know what hit him.”
End of Episode 4
Next Episode: As Ethan’s empire crumbles, Cillian learns the true cost of power—and discovers that Valeria’s “special projects” are far more dangerous than he anticipated.
