Chapter 182: At The Headquarters II

Words : 1523 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 182: At The Headquarters II When Athena walked into the office followed by Aiden, Director Alvarez was on another call. Seizing the opportunity, Athena took a moment to scan the upgrades that had transformed this once-drab office into something impressive. The large wooden oak table stood out, a far cry from the flimsy, non-quality pieces they had used before. Instead of a ceiling fan, a sleek air conditioning unit hummed in the background, keeping the room at a comfortable temperature. Cabinets lined the walls, functional and neatly organized, while plush seats provided comfort for long meetings. In one corner, a running mill and weights were stashed alongside freshly laundered towels, hinting at a more health-conscious atmosphere. The organization is really seeing a lot of money now. Athena thought, genuinely happy for the progress. It surely made the work easier for everyone. Maybe if they had this upgrade years ago, they would have conquered their challenges much sooner. Her eyes drifted over to the director, who stood near one of the glass walls, speaking politely into the phone. He looked like a submissive rat, a striking contrast to the assertive figure she remembered. Athena’s brow furrowed. When did he start acting this way? The director had always been the epitome of determination, eager to do justice and relentless in his pursuits. Now, he seemed subdued, almost timid. She would have said that perhaps old age had humbled him, but he was only about forty-five years old—not old at all. "Should we take a seat?" She whispered to Aiden, who was still observing the director. "I don’t know," Aiden replied, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "He could be in one of his moods and bark if we do that..." Athena’s eyes widened slightly in disbelief, recalling when such worries had been nonexistent. They had laughed, danced, and even celebrated victories in this very room. Why the sudden strictness toward Aiden, one of the founders of the organization? "Aiden, we are higher-ups! Did you forget?" She pressed. He shook his head. "I didn’t forget, but things have changed around here—especially the director." Was it because of the money entering? Athena pondered. Were external influences affecting their operations now? If not, why wasn’t the director investing in stopping the artificially-created disease that threatened their city? She huffed and walked to the nearest plush seat, plopping down with annoyance and defiance. Aiden’s lips pressed into a thin line as he noticed that Director Alvarez had instantly turned at the sound of fabric against the leather of the expensive chair; as he noticed that the director’s scowl deepened when he saw Athena sitting without his permission. Seeking to provoke then, Aiden walked gallantly over to a seat beside Athena and sat down with purpose. Athena chuckled softly, amused by the budding tension. "Did something crawl up your butt, old man?" She teased. Aiden tsked, shaking his head. "I just hate whatever happened to the director. It’s like the money came, and he forgot his roots." Just then, Director Alvarez ended his call, setting the phone down on the table with a gentle thud. He glanced at the two of them, a mix of irritation and surprise evident on his face. "Yeah, long time no see, Athena," He said, a strange smile curling across his lips. He extended his hand to greet her. "You always make an entrance. I knew after seeing those criminals that I would be seeing you again. Will this become a regular occurrence?" Athena smiled and shook her head. "I hope not. You’ll tire of me too easily, Director." Alvarez laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "I don’t think you’ll ever bore me, Athena. Welcome back." He then turned to Aiden and gave him a warm handshake. "Welcome, old friend. Thank you for finally capturing those criminals. We haven’t had the privilege of keeping one alive while they talk, for quite some time." The three shared a laugh that momentarily broke the tension in the room. "My pleasure, Director Alvarez. Have they started speaking?" Aiden asked, leaning forward in his seat, his body tense with anticipation. Alvarez sighed wearily as he settled into his own chair. "Not at all. They’re incredibly tight-lipped. But I’m sure that will change soon with you two here. After all, they are your catch." "So, before we dive into the interrogation, is there anything we should know about the gang? With all these equipment upgrades, surely something can be organized." Athena asked, clasping her hands on her thighs. Alvarez paused, his lips pursed, as he weighed his response. "Sadly, that’s not the case. The intel you’ve received is the current status of things on the ground. This gang is slippery as a snake. With our upgrades came their own advancements." Athena nodded, a cold glint in her eyes. "Alright then. We’re ready to interrogate the criminals now." Immediately, Alvarez led them to Containment Area Two—an austere and sterile room lined with reinforced glass walls and thick metal doors. A heavy guard stood watch outside as they approached the large entry. "Heronica and Cole are in here," Alvarez explained, his voice firm. "Make sure they talk, by any means necessary. I’ll see you two back at the office." With those words, the two agents entered the interrogation room. Athena smirked upon spotting the two criminals seated at a metal table, their hands and legs shackled with heavy metal bracelets. Cole’s hard expression met her gaze, but a flicker of anxiety haunted the corner of his eyes. Next to him, Heronica sat defiantly, dark hair falling over one eye like a curtain shielding her from vulnerability. "Do you really think you can make us talk?" Heronica challenged, noticing Athena’s almost playful smirk. "You’ll need more than threats to get anything out of us." Athena shot Aiden a quick look, an unspoken understanding passing between them. "Of course, Heronica. We’re not here to play games," Athena said, stepping forward confidently. Without hesitation, Aiden crossed the room, closing the distance in an instant. He delivered a sharp punch across Cole’s face, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet room. Cole’s eyes widened in shock, and the pain momentarily stole his breath, but he quickly regained his composure. "Tell us what you know about the gang’s next move," Aiden demanded, his voice low and serious. "Or we can make things a lot more uncomfortable for you." Heronica’s laugh was bitter, laced with bravado. "You think we’re scared of a little rough stuff? You don’t know who you’re dealing with." She turned to Cole, who maintained a strange smile. "How do you feel, lover boy?" "Never better," He shot back with confidence. Athena knew they needed a different approach. She turned to Aiden, a sly smile playing on her lips. "I think you should get the tools. We have some tough ones on our hands." Aiden nodded with an agreeing smile and quickly left the room. He returned just three minutes later, holding two handheld devices. They resembled a small lie detector but were modified for a more sinister purpose. Heronica and Cole exchanged mocking glances, clearly unimpressed by the technology. "What nonsense is this? You must really not rate us at all!" Heronica scoffed. Athena responded with icy confidence. "Of course I do, which is why I brought this. This device will tell us if you’re lying. And if you lie, you’ll feel about 80 jolts of electricity coursing through your body." She tsked for dramatic effect. "That’s quite deadly, don’t you think?" Heronica’s bravado faltered momentarily as the realization dawned on her. "You wouldn’t dare. You need us alive to make a bargain!" "Try us," Aiden replied coldly, his expression unyielding. "We really don’t need you. You see..." He paused, walking toward them with the device. "The gang is not really sovereign. That’s just an illusion. You will understand soon." Heronica and Cole exchange curious glances. What the hell?! They gritted their teeth, when Aiden strapped the device to both of them, inhaling sharply once the device was activated—it hummed with electricity, sending a wave of intimidation through the air. Athena leaned forward, her voice steady and commanding. "Who sent you to kill me years ago? Who sent you now?" The two criminals stared back, unwilling to divulge any information. "Your mother, bitch!" Heronica finally spoke, screaming in mighty pain the next second when the bolts of electricity zapped through her. "Heronica!!" Cole shouted, when Heronica’s head fell loosely by the side. "Heronica!!!" He screamed the more, but Heronica gave no reply. So, he turned to Athena and Aiden, who stood watching the spectacle, thoroughly amused. Their nonchalant demeanor grated on Cole’s nerves. "You’ve killed her!" He screamed. "Well, you have to kill me too, because I won’t talk!" Athena chuckled softly. "All these talks about kill...." She shook her head. "I should probably do that, and send your body parts to Morgan in a box. Your innocent victims over the years deserve that sense of justice at least." Cole shuddered before he could help it. Still... "No one is innocent." "What is my crime then?" Athena asked, piquing an eyebrow.

Chapter 182: At The Headquarters II

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