Two Weeks Later

  The neon lights of the Cloche Casino flickered against the cold January sky, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the soggy pavement. Inside, the air buzzed with the clatter of chips, the hum of slot machines, and the occasional cheer of a lucky gambler.

  Talon Cloche stood on the mezzanine, his sharp gaze sweeping the floor below. The casino was more than just a business venture; it was a symbol of his growing empire. And now, with the untraceable digital chips, the possibilities were endless.

  Talon’s personal assistant, Victor Garcia, stood across from him and reported, “The platform is live. Customers are using it, but for legit transactions.”

  Talon’s beady eyes narrowed. “We’ve got to get the word out to the right people: those who need untraceable services. Privately, of course.”

  Victor inclined his head. “We’ve already started reaching out to our contacts in the shipping and logistics sectors. They’re interested, but cautious. They want to see how it works before committing.”

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  Talon’s lips curled into a sly smirk. “Let them test it. Once they see how seamless it is, they’ll come running. This isn’t something we openly promote; be discreet.”

  Victor hesitated for a moment before asking, “What about the casino? The clientele is a whole different ballgame here.”

  Talon peered at the expansive floor below, calculating. “Yes, but we can still keep it on the down-low. Quietly start positioning it as a convenience for high rollers and loyalty members. In due course, those who need the other services will know how to find us.”

  For some reason, talking about this brought a pang of longing to Talon’s chest, thoughts of Wendy surfacing. He’d never been attached to any woman. But Wendy was a breath of fresh air. She was young and energetic, mentally and emotionally sharp. The only exception was when...

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