Ethan stared at Linh, trying to gauge her intentions. There was something about her—something unreadable. He could tell she wasn't just some bystander who happened to find him on the street. She was too calm, too prepared.
As he took another spoonful of porridge, Linh watched him with quiet amusement.
"You're not going to ask how I know about the gang?" she finally said.
Ethan set his spoon down. "I was getting there."
She smirked. "I know because I've been watching you."
His muscles tensed. "Watching me?"
Linh nodded, crossing her arms. "For a while now. You're not exactly subtle, Ethan. Running around Hanoi, getting into fights, asking the wrong people the wrong questions."
Ethan's grip tightened around the bowl. "And who exactly do you work for?"
She leaned in slightly. "A group that deals with people like them—the ones who think they own this city, the ones who exploit, manipulate, and destroy lives without consequences."
Ethan's mind raced. He had been searching for answers, trying to uncover the truth about the syndicate that had nearly killed him. And now, sitting across from him was someone who apparently already knew everything.
"You're a spy," he said. It wasn't a question.
Linh tilted her head. "I prefer operative."
Ethan exhaled slowly. "So what do you want from me?"
Linh pushed the empty bowl aside and met his gaze. "I want you to join us."
Ethan blinked. "Join you?"
"You're skilled, but more importantly, you've got a reason to fight." She leaned forward. "I've seen what they did to you. I know why you're after them. You want justice, don't you?"
Ethan looked down at his bandaged hands. Justice. That was the word he had told himself over and over again. But deep down, he knew it was something more. Revenge.
"I don't work for anyone," he muttered.
Linh smirked. "Neither do I. Not in the way you think."
Silence stretched between them. Outside, the faint hum of the city waking up drifted through the window.
Then Linh stood up. "I'm not forcing you, Ethan. But think about it." She walked to the door and paused. "If you really want to stop them, you won't do it alone."
She glanced back, her eyes unreadable. "I'll be waiting."
And with that, she was gone.
Ethan sat in the quiet room, heart pounding.
He had spent so long searching for answers, for allies. And now, one had just walked through the door.
The question was—could he trust her?