A busy morning at the bustling import-export company known as Dragon’s Gate Trading, the atmosphere was a hive of activity. Phones rang incessantly, forklifts whirred by, and workers moved swiftly, each focused on their tasks. Amidst the organized chaos stood Mr. Long, a tall and somewhat bulky man with a dragon tattoo coiling around his arm, marking him as the supervisor of the operation.
“Alright, listen up!” Mr. Long’s voice boomed over the noise, commanding attention. “We’ve got a shipment of electronics heading to Singapore. Make sure everything is double-checked and secured before loading.”
A worker approached him, clipboard in hand. “Mr. Long, the textiles for the Hong Kong order have been shipped out this morning.”
“Good,” Mr. Long nodded, scanning the list. “Keep me updated on the arrival times. We can’t afford any delays.”
Another employee hurried over, looking slightly anxious. “Sir, we’ve got some items that have been sitting in the warehouse for too long. They need to be prioritized for shipping.”
Mr. Long raised an eyebrow. “What items are we talking about?”
“Some high-end watches and designer handbags,” the employee replied. “They were overlooked in the last inventory check.”
“Alright, those need to go out immediately,” Mr. Long instructed. “Get them on the next available shipment to Tokyo. We can’t have them gathering dust any longer.”
As the operations at Dragon’s Gate Trading continued, a man approached Mr. Long. “Sir, your new assistant has arrived,” he announced. “I’ve personally evaluated him, and he’s someone you can rely on without a doubt.”
Mr. Long nodded, acknowledging the information. “Good. Bring him over so he can start immediately.”
The man responded promptly, “Yes, Mr. Long,” and returned shortly with a well-dressed individual. The newcomer had neatly trimmed black hair with a faded cut, wore reading glasses, and carried an air of professionalism.
“This is David Hawk,” the man introduced. “He has previous experience in import-export from overseas and is familiar with the nuances of the trade. I’m confident in his abilities.”
Mr. Long scrutinized David for a moment before speaking. “David, is it? Why did you leave your previous job?”
David replied respectfully, “Mr. Long, I worked at Global Trade Solutions in London for five years. I left because I wanted to return to Italy to be closer to family and seek new challenges.”
“And why choose our company?” Mr. Long inquired further.
“I’ve heard about Dragon’s Gate Trading’s reputation for excellence and innovation,” David explained. “I wanted to be part of a team that is at the forefront of the industry.”
Mr. Long nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answers. “And how’s your experience with the more… discreet aspects of import and export?”
David shrugged slightly, maintaining a composed demeanor. “I’m not aware of any such activities, Mr. Long.”
Mr. Long chuckled, clearly amused. “I like you, David. You’ve got the right attitude. Let’s get you started as my assistant.”
With that, Mr. Long welcomed David into the fold, pleased with his new recruit. As the manager and supervisor of the company, Mr. Long knew the importance of having trustworthy and capable people by his side. David’s presence promised to be a valuable addition to the operations at Dragon’s Gate Trading.
Mr. Long was pleased with his new assistant, but unbeknownst to him, David Hawk was even more delighted. However, anyone familiar with the real David Hawk would have been shocked to learn that the man conversing with Mr. Long was not the David Hawk. The person standing before him was none other than Julyan Gallo, the con artist trained by Tiger.
Earlier, the real David Hawk was ambushed, struck on the back of the head, and rendered unconscious. Julyan took his important belongings, such as his ID and license, and dragged him into a van belonging to their group. Inside, they swapped clothes, leaving the real David Hawk tied up in a tank top and boxers.
As David Hawk regained consciousness, he found himself in the back of the van, disoriented and confused. Julyan, now dressed in David’s clothes, looked at him with a smirk.
“Who are you?” David demanded, struggling against his restraints.
“Let’s just say I’m your replacement,” Julyan replied coolly, examining David’s ID. He tapped a small device in his ear, connecting to their team’s expert hacker.
“Rico, you there?” Julyan spoke, his voice low and steady.
“Yeah, I’m here,” came the reply from Rico, the best hacker from the Abate Familia.
“I need the full rundown on David Hawk. Anything that might come up in conversation,” Julyan requested.
“Got it,” Rico responded, his fingers flying over the keyboard. “He’s worked in London for five years, specializes in logistics, and has a family in Rome. No criminal record, but he’s got a few speeding tickets.”
“Perfect,” Julyan said, absorbing the information like a seasoned spy. “And his personal quirks?”
“He’s a coffee addict, prefers it black, and he’s got a thing for classic rock,” Rico added.
“Thanks, Rico. Keep the line open in case I need more,” Julyan instructed, ending the conversation.
Two weeks prior, Julyan had perfected the art of deception. It was fortuitous that on this particular day, they learned that Mr. Long was recruiting a new assistant. Julyan had been waiting for the real David Hawk, gathering his information, and replacing his resume photo with his own. With the necessary details at his disposal, Julyan was ready to step into the role of David Hawk seamlessly. The van drove back to the villa to temporarily hide the real David Hawk.
…..
Inside Mr. Long’s office, Julyan, now posing as David Hawk, listened intently as Mr. Long outlined the schedule and tasks.
“David, I need you to handle the logistics for the upcoming conference in Milan,” Mr. Long began, unaware of the true identity of the man before him. “You’ll also be responsible for coordinating with our partners in Paris. Make sure everything is in order.”
“Of course, Mr. Long,” Julyan replied, nodding as he took mental notes. “I’ll ensure everything runs smoothly.”
“And don’t forget the meeting with the board on Thursday. They expect a full report on our recent projects,” Mr. Long continued, glancing at his calendar.
“Understood. I’ll prepare the necessary documents,” Julyan assured him, maintaining his composure.
“Good. I have high expectations for you, David,” Mr. Long said, offering a smile.
“Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down,” Julyan responded confidently, fully embracing his new role.
As Mr. Long continued to discuss various tasks, Julyan listened carefully, knowing that every detail was crucial for maintaining his cover. The real David Hawk remained hidden, unaware of the intricate plan unfolding around him.