Tom then continued with a certain edge, "There's a kill order on me as we speak, courtesy of Ray. He'll die immediately after I do, having served his purpose. From then on, he's not just a hindrance to your Pinnacle inheritance but a threat to your siblings, especially Celeste. So, Amelia, I ask, where do your priorities lie? Tending to a dried-up garden or securing the young ones from looming threats?"

Amelia, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and confusion, responded, "Who are you really? This... This isn't the Tommy I knew. Why are you saying all this? On what basis do you conclude Ray is going to die? What are you blabbering about?" Her eyes, widened with shock, conveyed a profound sense of emotional turmoil as she grappled with the sudden and shocking choices laid before her. The revelation hung in the air like an unresolved chord, waiting for some semblance of harmony or understanding.

Tom replied with a cold certainty, "I guess we each harbor a concealed darkness that's veiled from plain sight."

His firm gaze pierced through the room as he asked, "Amelia, are you with us or against us? The choice is yours – your innocent siblings or your vile lover. But, before you decide, remember, he's also holding your younger sister captive."

Amelia's eyes widened as a sudden realization struck her, choosing to remember the dark deeds orchestrated by Ray, including the ruthless blackmail of Harold over certain ports for Celeste's life. Every evil act she had ignored in the name of love now weighed heavily on her conscience. After a contemplative moment, she spoke with resolute determination.

"I'll accept your offer, for Ethan and Celeste," her tone unwavering, "and because I know he murdered Dad, which is unforgivable even for him."

Her eyes narrowing with determination, pressed on, "Now, tell me the truth, or I'll walk out that door and handle everything my way. Who are you? And how do you know Ray is going to die?" The intensity in her voice reflected the urgency of her demand.

Tom, his voice cutting through the air with chilling resolve, responded to Amelia's questions, "I am Thomas Leon Kruger III, a man on a mission. As to how I know Ray is going to die, well, because I decided that." His sinister smile conveyed a calculated confidence. He added, "He'll die in four days' time by this hour, 6:45 AM. The cause will be suicide by hanging—a very, very slow and painful one. So, Amelia, darling, don't you ask me that question or threaten me again. Just shut the f**k up and learn."

Amelia, confronted with the chilling revelation, felt her breath catch in her throat. Shock and disbelief played on her features as she grappled with the ominous certainty in Tom's words. The room, once an opulent sanctuary, now echoed with an unsettling silence as the weight of the impending events settled over her. A shiver ran down her spine, and the reality of the situation began to sink in, casting shadows of fear across her face. In that moment, the cold truth unfolded before her, leaving her speechless, lost in the ominous narrative laid out by the man she once thought she knew.

In a low, remorseful tone, Amelia whispered, "I'm sorry." She then quietly resumed her seat on the bed, bracing herself for whatever unsettling revelations might follow from Tom. The room, tainted by the weight of their conversation, seemed to hold its breath as they both lingered on the precipice of an uncertain future.

‘Oh Amelia, darling. My apologies if I frightened you. But, believe me, this is a necessary path.’

‘Perhaps I should tone it down a bit and befriend her. It will definitely make things easier.’

He approached Amelia, easing into a seat beside her on the bed. With a composed demeanor, he gently spoke, "Look, Amelia, let's set that aside for now and concentrate on the mission. What I'm doing is necessary. The more you delve into this book, the clearer it will become. Now, let's pick up where we left off."

Amelia's breath hitched slightly, her emotions in turmoil. After Tom urged her to focus on the mission, she took a moment to compose herself, nodding silently, signaling him to continue.

Tom affirmed his resolve with a decisive nod, unraveling the intricacies of his plan. "Our ultimate objective is to force Viktor Eusepio out of the shadows. He's the puppeteer behind Ray's malevolent actions and Celeste's captivity."

"Leveraging Ray, I've set in motion a sequence that will draw Viktor into the fray. He's the one who will order the hit on me, believing my demise will clear the way for their sinister plans. However, I won't meet my end. Instead, I'll eliminate Ray."

Turning to Amelia, he sought her comprehension. "Are you following so far?" A bewildered nod urged him to proceed.

"The next act involves orchestrating Ray's suicide, sparking Viktor's curiosity about the abrupt end to his ambitions. The trail of questions will inevitably lead Viktor to you, I will make sure of that. When he seeks answers, you'll be a specter, elusive and untraceable," he detailed.

Checking if Amelia had queries, her silent response prompted him to elaborate further. "Viktor will attempt to unearth connections to both Ray and you, but he'll be met with a resounding silence. No harm will befall those connected; they're essential pieces in this intricate game. Faced with dwindling options, Viktor will focus on attending their funerals, and that's where you'll take center stage."

Flipping open the book, Tom guided her to a script meticulously crafted for versatility. "I'll be a phantom presence at the funeral through you. Amelia, memorize this script; it's a roadmap for varied scenarios, emotions, and potential dialogues. It outlines the nuances of your appearance, gait, and precise responses to navigate Viktor's potential queries. While I've structured it, the true artistry lies in your execution," he explained with strategic finesse.

"Once we navigate this phase, we'll delve into the subsequent layers of the plan. Comprende?" he concluded, the tone echoing with authority and purpose, as the plot unfolded with strategic brilliance.

Amelia, still caught in the whirlwind of the intricate plan, responded with a dumbfounded nod. Seizing the momentum, Tom continued, "On my end, I'll ignite a conflict between Viktor's brother and boss and another crime lord, with the assistance of a trusted ally. While you engage Viktor, and I distract Patryk, I will stealthily retrieve Celeste. This action will trigger my safeguards, with Patryk placing the blame on the rival crime lord. And so, the intricate dance begins."

As the initial shock settled, Amelia's gaze intensified with a newfound focus.

"Tommy, I have quite a few questions," she began, her tone reflective. "Let's start with specifics on timing. How can we guarantee precision in every aspect?"

Tom, his demeanor unwavering, responded, "Timing is crucial here. I'll orchestrate a network of informants and tech experts. Cutting-edge technology and human intelligence synchronize every event seamlessly. Precision is our advantage, and every moment will be calibrated to perfection."

Nodding thoughtfully, Amelia pressed on, "Alright, and what about Patryk? How do we divert his attention without underestimating his cunning?"

"Patryk won't see through our moves," Tom assured her. "I'll initiate a misinformation campaign, exploiting his trust in Viktor. It's a psychological chess game where I'll have anticipated every move. The information he receives will be a strategically manipulated narrative, keeping him off our real actions."

Considering the plan, Amelia questioned, "Okay, based on what I've heard from Ray, Viktor is meticulous. How do we manipulate his reactions and keep him focused on the staged events?"

Tom delved into the details, saying, "Delving into Viktor's behavior patterns is key. By controlling the information he receives, we can guide his reactions. The orchestrated chaos at the funeral will divert his attention from our true actions. It's about manipulating his focus to serve our objectives."

Expressing concern, Amelia sought reassurance about Celeste's safety. "And Celeste's safety? How can we ensure she's protected throughout this operation?"

"Celeste is our top priority," Tom reassured her. "A skilled team, experts in stealth and extraction, will move swiftly and undetected. The operation will undergo meticulous rehearsals, eliminating any potential risks. Trust that every measure has been taken to ensure her safety."

Addressing communication concerns, Amelia inquired, "Alright, in case of unforeseen issues, do we have backup plans?"

Tom, exuding confidence, replied, "Flexibility is our strength. I've devised multiple contingency plans for every conceivable scenario. Our team will be adept at adapting on the fly, and we will have fail-safes in place. We will leave nothing to chance, navigating challenges as they arise."

Amelia took time to ponder then popped out another question enthusiastically, "How can we stay connected without leaving any digital traces?"

"Our communication will be encrypted and routed through secure channels," Tom explained. "I'll establish a system ensuring we stay connected without digital footprints. Real-time updates on a secure device will be available for immediate adjustments."

...

As the night unfolded, their dialogue transformed into a curious exchange. Amelia, with an inquisitive tone, fired questions at Tom from various angles, and he responded with enthusiasm, providing detailed solutions and reassurances. The hours ticked away, and in this intense exchange, a subtle familiarity emerged between them. The questions and answers wove a connection that had eluded them for most of their lives, a bond formed in the crucible of a shared purpose and the intricacies of their unfolding plan.

Amelia, amidst a moment of laughter and banter that had evolved during their extensive Q&A session, leaned back and looked at Tom.

"One last question, Tommy. Your plan is so detailed; it must've taken you a lot of time to come up with and refine, no?"

Tom, with a smirk, "Yes, it did. It took away 6 hours worth of sleep."

Amelia almost immediately burst into laughter when Tom mentioned sacrificing six hours of sleep.

Amelia, chuckling stated, "You're joking, right? Six hours? Come on, Tommy."

Amelia's laughter faded as she looked at Tom, realizing he wasn't joking about sacrificing six hours of sleep for the plan.

Amelia, with a mix of surprise and concern, "Wait, seriously? just Six hours of sleep?"

Tom, maintaining a composed demeanor, "Dead serious. Amelia, in the currency of high-stakes endeavors, the coin of sleep holds the rarest value."

Amelia's amusement and amazement lingered as Tom made light of the few hours he used to create such a broad foolproof. She opted to keep her thoughts to herself, absorbing the weight of their impending mission.

Standing up, Tom collected the bag and gestured towards the door. "It's time for me to expose myself to the public so they can find and kill me," he declared with a solemnity that matched the gravity of their situation. "You can find your way out."

As Amelia neared the exit, the room echoed with the finality of his words. Yet, just as she was about to step into the corridor, Tom's voice sliced through the air, calling her back.

"Amelia," he said, urgency saturating his tone. "You have forty-eight hours to memorize the book word for word. Our mission begins the moment I step outside this hotel."

He added, "This might be the last time we meet face to face for a while. You won't be able to contact me directly, but if anything comes up, I'll reach out to you. In case you encounter a problem or need assistance, visit the last ten pages of the guidebook. There might be something there. If not, I'll find out and get in touch."

The complexity of his last statement left her puzzled, but she chose not to ask. A part of her believed she could trust her fate to him without a second thought. In response, she raised the book and walked out.