Paul raised his eyes and saw that there were quite a few surveillance cameras installed on both sides of the corridor on this floor. The small red lights were flashing, constantly recording the movements here.
At the end of the corridor were heavy access control doors, each equipped with complex electronic locks. There were also card-swiping and fingerprint recognition devices beside them.
"Paul, look, the security measures on this floor are no ordinary matter. Every corner is within the monitoring range. Without the corresponding authority, it's impossible to enter any of the rooms."
As Townsend spoke, he walked towards one of the doors. After swiping his card and pressing his fingerprint, the door opened with a "beep".
Paul followed him in and saw that there were small compartments inside. Each compartment looked like a temporary detention room. Although the furnishings were simple, the thick walls and sturdy doors and windows made it clear at a glance that it would be very difficult to escape from inside.
Paul had some vague guesses in his heart, but he didn't dare to be sure. He just felt an even stronger chill in this place.
"Townsend, what are you doing with all these...?" Paul couldn't help but ask.
Townsend smiled but didn't answer. Instead, he led Paul towards the staircase leading to the second basement floor.
When they reached the second basement floor, the atmosphere was even more oppressive, and the lighting was dimmer.
Townsend led Paul through the corridor, pointing at some seemingly ordinary rooms from time to time and introducing them:
"These rooms may seem ordinary on the surface, but in fact, there are hidden mysteries inside. Some places are equipped with soundproofing devices, and some have special ventilation ducts, making it convenient to control the situation inside."
As Paul listened to Townsend's words, he became increasingly shocked. He realized that what Townsend was planning was definitely not a small matter. He was torn between fear and the allure of great benefits, feeling extremely conflicted.
Finally, they arrived at the third basement floor. Here, hardly any sound from the outside world could be heard, and the silence made people feel a bit uneasy.
The layout of the entire space was even more complex. There were some strange devices placed in the corners, and Paul couldn't figure out what they were used for.
At the very deepest part, there was an exceptionally large secret room. The door of the secret room looked extremely thick, and there were various wires all around it, as if it was connected to some important control system.
Townsend walked up to the door of the secret room, his eyes filled with greed and calculation. He gently patted the door and turned to Paul, saying:
"Paul, this is the place I've specially prepared for our target. Here, it will be the cage that traps him, and also the starting point of our new life."
Paul's eyes widened, and his voice trembled as he asked:
"Townsend, who exactly is our target...?"
Townsend leaned closer to Paul and said in a low voice, slowly uttering a name:
"Crook, that extremely wealthy guy. Once we trap him here, everything he has will belong to us."
Upon hearing this, Paul took a sharp intake of breath. He was all too familiar with the name Crook, who was a renowned and powerful businessman in the business world!
He had never expected that Townsend's plan was aimed at him. For a moment, Paul's mind was in chaos, not knowing what to do.
Townsend was someone Paul had met on the street. To be honest, with Townsend's status, Paul didn't know why he had approached him. Now, Townsend had finally revealed his true purpose!
He thought about it for a long time. Plastic surgery and substitution!?
What if it failed? What if he was discovered? What if he couldn't do it well?
However, in the end, he still agreed to Townsend's plan!
He had no money, no women, and nothing at all!
So, why not give it a try!
Townsend knew Paul too well. It seemed that Paul didn't have many choices in his situation!
They collected information about Crook, his voice, and filmed his gestures, speaking habits, and daily behaviors!
There was plastic surgery and altering his vocal cords!
There was training!
They had to ensure that after the plastic surgery, Paul would be exactly like Crook in every way, in terms of his voice and movements!
Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner!
During this period, Paul looked at his unfamiliar face and listened to his completely changed voice!
There were many times when he wanted to give up!
When he looked at himself in the mirror!
When he heard his own voice!
When he realized that he had been trained to be just like Crook!
...
A year later.
Crook was sitting in the back seat of his luxurious car, looking at the street scenes flashing by outside the window, thinking about his meeting with Townsend today.
Townsend had been his friend for many years. Although he had always felt that Townsend was a bit scheming, their friendship was still there. So, when Townsend invited him, he didn't think much of it and just regarded it as an ordinary get-together or perhaps a discussion about some business cooperation.
The car slowly drove into the underground parking lot of Townsend's office building. Crook adjusted his suit and pushed open the car door to get out.
He walked towards the elevator with steady steps, exuding the confidence typical of a successful person.
The elevator went up all the way and soon reached the floor where Townsend was located.
Crook walked towards Townsend's office, greeting several familiar staff members with a nod along the way.
When he arrived at the office door, Crook knocked gently. Townsend's warm voice immediately came from inside: "Crook, come on in!"
Crook pushed the door open and walked in with a smile. Seeing Townsend standing by the window waiting for him, he joked, "Hey, why did you suddenly invite me to your lair today? Is there some great news?"
Townsend smiled and greeted him, saying, "Crook, we haven't had a good chat for a long time. I just happen to have some new ideas about business and want to discuss them with you. Let's talk as we go."
As he spoke, he led Crook towards the hidden door.
Although Crook was a bit puzzled, he didn't ask any more questions and followed Townsend into the hidden stairwell.
As they walked down the stairs, they casually chatted about the recent business trends. Crook didn't notice at all that danger was approaching step by step.
Soon, they arrived at the third basement floor and walked into the reception room that had been set up as a trap.
As soon as Crook entered, he felt that something was wrong with the atmosphere. It was too quiet all around, and the seemingly ordinary staff members standing in the corners had an odd look in their eyes.
"Townsend, this place feels kind of strange. What's going on?" Crook frowned and asked.
The smile on Townsend's face disappeared instantly, replaced by a cold expression. He didn't answer Crook's question but just raised his hand slightly.
Crook felt a bit dizzy!
Townsend had put drugs in the water! Townsend then showed an evil smile!
Crook was both shocked and angry and shouted loudly, "Townsend, what the hell are you doing!"
"Townsend, are you crazy? We're friends! Why are you doing this!" Crook angrily questioned, staring at Townsend with wide eyes full of disbelief.
But he was already feeling completely weak!
Townsend just gave a cold laugh and slowly walked up to Crook, saying, "Friends? Humph, you have thousands of times more than me. You've always overshadowed me in everything! I don't want to be your friend anymore.
I've coveted your wealth, status, and all those women around you for a long time. Today is the day you lose all of it."
Listening to Townsend's words full of jealousy and malice, Crook felt a deep sense of sadness in his heart. He never expected that the friend he had treated sincerely had been plotting such a conspiracy behind his back, trying to take everything away from him.
"You won't succeed, Townsend. What you're doing is illegal, and sooner or later, you'll be found out!" Crook said through gritted teeth.
Townsend ignored Crook's warning and waved his hand. Then, the lying Crook was dragged into the deepest secret room.
Crook was roughly dragged inside and kept struggling and shouting all the way.
But it was all in vain!
In the end, he was locked in that gloomy secret room. The thick door closed with a "bang", as if completely cutting him off from the outside world.
Paul, who was hiding aside, witnessed the whole thing. His hands involuntarily clenched into fists, and his palms were full of sweat. He was both afraid that things would be exposed.
He was full of longing for the wealth and status that were about to be his!
Paul was so nervous that his body was slightly trembling. He didn't know what awaited him next.