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Chapter 37: Shadow of a phantom

Alyssa, seated beside him, flipped through the files on her tablet. "There\'s something about The Catalyst that doesn\'t add up. We\'ve been targeting their operatives, shutting down their operations, but we still haven\'t uncovered any solid leads on their leader. How does someone this powerful remain invisible?"

Dominic stood near the cockpit, staring out at the dark horizon. "Because they want to be invisible. They\'ve built their empire in the shadows, and they\'ve mastered the art of deception. But we\'re getting closer."

Eleanor sat at the small table in the middle of the cabin, spreading out a series of dossiers. "I\'ve been analyzing their operational patterns. The Catalyst works with precision, always staying a step ahead. But there\'s one thing they can\'t hide money. Their operations need funding, and I\'ve traced several large, suspicious transfers across shell companies to one source."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "And?"

Eleanor slid a file across the table. "There\'s one name that keeps coming up: Valentina Azarov."

Dominic\'s head snapped toward Eleanor. The name was familiar, Azarov, a notorious Russian oligarch with vast influence across Europe and Asia. Valentina had a reputation for being ruthless, controlling a network of arms dealers, private security firms, and black-market traders.

"If Azarov is connected to The Catalyst..." Alyssa\'s voice trailed off, the implications sinking in.

"She\'s more than connected," Eleanor said. "I think she might be the key to everything."

The plane touched down in Moscow under the cover of night. The city was a maze of shadows and secrets, perfect for someone like Valentina Azarov to hide in plain sight. Dominic\'s team moved quickly, blending into the bustling city as they began their search.

"I pulled some strings," Eleanor said, handing out ear-pieces. "We have access to one of Azarov\'s private clubs in the city. It\'s exclusive, but I\'ve managed to get us on the guest list under assumed identities."

"Good," Dominic replied, sliding his weapon into the holster hidden beneath his jacket. "We\'ll go in quietly. If Azarov is part of The Catalyst, we\'ll need to get her to talk."

As they approached the club, the streets were alive with people, but there was an underlying tension in the air. Moscow had always been a city of power struggles where political elites, oligarchs, and underworld figures mingled in a precarious balance. The club they were about to enter was the nexus of that world.

The interior of the club was just as they expected opulent and exclusive, with dim lighting casting long shadows across the room. The elite of Moscow society moved in the darkness, their conversations guarded, their eyes watchful.

Dominic, Alyssa, Marcus, and Eleanor entered in pairs, posing as wealthy investors. They knew Azarov wouldn\'t be easily approachable, but if they could find someone in her circle, it might lead them to her.

As they spread out across the club, Marcus\'s voice came through the earpiece. "I\'ve got a possible lead. A man at the bar, Yuri Vlasov he\'s known to be one of Azarov\'s business partners. He might know where she is."

Dominic nodded, making his way toward the bar. Yuri was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a rough demeanor. His face was hard and lined, the kind of man who had seen more than his fair share of backroom deals and violent encounters.

"Yuri Vlasov," Dominic said, taking a seat beside him. "I hear you\'re a man with connections."

Yuri turned his head slowly, sizing Dominic up. "Depends on who\'s asking."

"I\'m someone who needs to speak with Valentina Azarov," Dominic replied, keeping his tone calm but firm.

Yuri\'s eyes narrowed, and he leaned in slightly. "Valentina doesn\'t meet with strangers. Especially not ones who think they can waltz into her world and ask for favors."

Dominic didn\'t blink. "This isn\'t a favor. It\'s business."

Yuri chuckled, but there was no warmth in it. "What kind of business?"

"The kind that involves global stakes," Dominic said, his voice lowering. "I know about The Catalyst. I know she\'s involved."

At the mention of The Catalyst, Yuri\'s expression hardened. He glanced around the room, making sure no one was listening. "You don\'t know what you\'re talking about."

"I think I do," Dominic said. "And if you want to avoid being caught in the fallout, you\'ll tell me where to find her."

Yuri stared at Dominic for a long moment before he finally spoke. "You\'re playing a dangerous game, my friend. Valentina doesn\'t take kindly to threats."

Dominic leaned in, his voice ice cold. "It\'s not a threat. It\'s a warning."

Yuri had given them the location an abandoned mansion on the outskirts of Moscow, where Valentina Azarov was rumored to be conducting her most secretive meetings. It was the kind of place that had once been beautiful, but now stood decayed and forgotten a perfect metaphor for the crumbling empires of the oligarchs who clung to power.

The team approached the mansion cautiously, the night enveloping them in darkness. The wind howled through the trees as they moved silently, their eyes scanning for any signs of movement.

Inside, the mansion was eerily quiet, but they could feel the weight of eyes watching them. They moved room by room, clearing each space as they made their way deeper into the mansion.

Finally, they reached a large, dimly lit room, where a single figure stood at the far end. Valentina Azarov.

She was as imposing as the legends suggested; tall, elegant, and cold. Her gaze was piercing as she looked at them, a small smile playing on her lips.

"So," Valentina said, her voice smooth and unhurried. "You\'ve finally found me."

Dominic stepped forward, his eyes locked on hers. "We know you\'re connected to The Catalyst. You\'ve been funding them, supporting their operations."

Valentina\'s smile widened. "And what if I am? Do you think you can stop what\'s already in motion?"

"You\'ll tell us who\'s behind it," Dominic said, his voice sharp. "Or we\'ll make sure you\'re the one who takes the fall."

Valentina laughed softly. "You really think you understand what\'s happening, don\'t you? But you\'re wrong. The Catalyst is more than just a group. It\'s an idea. A revolution. And it can\'t be stopped."

Dominic took another step closer. "We\'ll see about that."

But before he could say another word, the room filled with the sound of footsteps dozens of armed guards emerged from the shadows, surrounding them.

Valentina\'s smile never faltered. "Welcome to the endgame, Dominic. You\'ve stepped right into it."