Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

Chapter 110: Poking a hornet's nest

In the end, Derek couldn't do much at all. He made inquiries to the police and to the main GTG office about what was going on, but got no satisfactory answers from either side.

Unlike Tristan, who got his information from Vargas via a phone call only a couple of hours after their conversation.

"My police contact says that someone brought an anonymous letter to one of the LAPD divisions. That went up the food chain, and now something big is brewing. But it's all kept under wraps, on a need-to-know basis. From what he heard, picking up your guys was only a part of the plan."

"I see. This was all you got, Mr. Vargas?"

"Yes. My advice–look behind your back. That's where the traitors usually stand."

Tristan scowled. This confirmed his suspicions.

"Thank you. I will speak to you about our other agreements soon, but I have to deal with something else first."

"I understand," Vargas chuckled. "Good luck rat hunting."

There was a traitor—a rat—in the King Lion Gang who gave information about Tristan's operation to the police.

There were enough people who envied his quick rise, but few of them had the means for something like this.

'I have to find that person and prove his fault to the gang—then I can lie low until the police give up on whatever it tries to do. But just sending a virus to the suspects probably won't work. After the Cuatro Angulos fight, when they became aware of how much hackers can do, everybody high up takes special care with computer security.'

Bypassing increased security was not impossible, but would take time Tristan didn't have at the moment. Enjoy exclusive content from m-v l'-novelhall.net

'Perhaps I won't have to do much, though. I didn't rise in ranks to do all the work myself!'

With that thought, Tristan called Kevin and gave his deputy a new task. A pretty simple one.

Kevin will explain to Leon Clavon and all his underbosses what had happened, but pass news that Tristan was proceeding fine with his task, anyway, and will be able to show the first results soon.

"Yes, Mr. Hayes. This will make a hornet nest out of the council..."

"This is the entire point, Kevin."

'Everybody will want to find the traitor, at least publicly! And after finding out that I'm still on my way to success, he will have to act more directly. That's where I or someone else will catch him.'

Kevin, of course, reported all that happened to Tristan posthaste.

The retelling made Tristan huff.

"An investigation like that?.. I wonder what comes out of it. It's not like Leon has actual detectives in his employ! Now that would've been interesting. Either way, the hornets are buzzing, so things are doing well. You just keep your normal work, Kevin."

"Gladly, Mr. Hayes. But what if the investigator comes to us?.."

"Show him everything. I have nothing to hide."

Anything to hide in that city. Los Angeles was another story.

"Understood."

***

Two days later.

Things were quiet. Suspiciously quiet, if Tristan had a say.

Things also were moving along regardless of his suspicions, so that morning Derek woke Tristan and Nel early (although Tristan, of course, was already awake).

"The 'Under Wrong Sky' opening ceremony is this evening, which means that you must start preparing now. I already arranged your costumes, and the stylist will come for you a bit later, so—"

"So, um, Mr," Nel yawned, "Mr. Derek, maybe start with a coffee and breakfast, please?"

Derek's posture softened immediately.

"Of course. But what I actually meant to say that you will start with going to a beauty salon for a spa. Your appointment is an hour and a half, and with the LA traffic... I suggest you should eat quickly."

Nel winced.

Tristan patted him on the shoulder.

'Sometimes I miss sleeping properly and seeing dreams... But I sure not miss having to wake up!'