Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Threads of Deception 

The night air in Belgrade was thick with tension as Sophia and Ethan continued their surveillance at The Inferno. The club pulsed with energy, the music loud enough to drown out any whisper of danger. Yet, amidst the chaos, Sophia's instincts remained razor-sharp. They were close to uncovering the Collective's next move, but one misstep could compromise everything.

Ethan, stationed in a secluded corner, kept his eyes on the target, a man they identified as **Ivan Petrov**, a rising figure within the remnants of the Shadow Collective. His movements were calculated, and his conversations cryptic, filled with double meanings and hidden agendas.

"Ivan's meeting someone tonight," Ethan relayed through their secure comms. "Looks like a big deal. We need to find out who he's talking to."