Story Chapter 32: The Key to the Next Move

The moment the footsteps outside faded into the corridor, Red Mirage finally allowed herself to breathe. She remained still for a few seconds, listening carefully for any sign that the guard might return. When the hallway stayed quiet, the tension gradually left her shoulders. “That was closer than I would have liked,” she murmured, adjusting one of her long black gloves. A faint, self-assured smile returned as she glanced toward the unconscious man lying across the hotel bed. Her red dress shimmered beneath the warm bedside lighting as she approached him, her earlier nervousness replaced by focused determination. “You certainly made this more complicated than necessary, darling,” she whispered, looking him over. The guard's unexpected visit had nearly interrupted everything, but the target was still unconscious and the room was finally secure. Mirage knelt beside the bed and began checking his suit, carefully searching the inside pockets and waistband for anything that might contain the access pass. She knew the key card was her next priority: without it, the locked rear entrance at the facility would remain inaccessible. After checking one pocket without success, she moved to another, her expression growing more intent. “Come on… where did you put it?” she muttered. Her fingers finally found something firm inside his jacket. Mirage paused, drew it out slightly, and examined the object in her hand, wondering whether she had just found the key to the next stage of her mission.