<h4>Chapter 295: Secret Operations VII</h4>


    Cold sweat broke out on Alvarez’s forehead, and he felt it seep through his shirt as nervous vibrations coursed through his body under the intense scrutiny of the people surrounding him.


    It was as if the collective gaze of the world was focused solely on him. His game was up.


    He sped his hands tightly on the table, knuckles pale against the dark surface, while he contemted his next move, ignoring the pool of shame swelling within him with every passing second under the weight of their disappointed looks.


    The detailed report from Ewan lingered in his mind—he knew that only divine intervention could save him now.


    "I..." He began, but the words fell t, failing him like the hope he once had. Everyone in the Nimbus organization was already aware of his illegal operations.


    He swallowed painfully, his thoughts drifting to Cecil and Lincoln. They were really in the ck cells? The realization struck him hard: he wasn’t far from joining them.


    Did they speak the truth? If they did, he didn’t feel the pressure to confess; if not, he must negotiate his way out, using whatever truths he had, no matter who got hurt in the process. He could not leave his family.


    What would they do if they discovered his betrayal?


    Portia could easily file for divorce! She was as steadfast in her principles as he had once been, a topwyer in town. There was no way she would defend him if this case went public.


    Alvarez shook his head, seeking rity. His best option seemed to be to work with Athena. Perhaps she would be lenient, or he could—


    "Old man, aren’t you going to say something? We don’t have all day..." Ewan’s voice cut through the haze of Alvarez’s thoughts like a knife, his finger tapping rhythmically on the table to emphasize their dwindling time.


    "Okay... sure... Athena, Aiden, I’m sorry..." Alvarez stammered, desperately trying to align his focus with their expectations, his gaze locked on Ewan’s hand as it moved to take away his phone.


    "We’re not here for apologies, Alvarez. We need information," Aiden interrupted brusquely, leaning forward, his anger evident in the clench of his jaws.


    Alvarez felt the painful knot in his stomach twist tighter as he wondered, yet again, how their dirtyundry had been aired to the public and how his involvement had been uncovered. They had covered their tracks so well!


    He nced at Ewan, who was the spark behind his turmoil now. How could this businessman know so much?


    Did the billionaire belong to some secret organization that he wasn’t aware of?


    Ewan Gietti. The man was a stray bullet, a variable he had never seening.


    Ewan’s more forceful tapping on the table brought Alvarez back to the moment.


    "I know. But I’m still sorry."


    "Yes, we heard the first time... Because you’ve been caught. That’s fine. Move on to the next," Athena pointed out dismissively, raising an eyebrow at the sh of irritation that crossed Alvarez’s face.


    Oh, he wasn’t genuine in his remorse at all, but that was eptable. By the time he spent three days in the darkness of the ck cells, he would surely sing a different tune.


    "Sure, I will talk. But I want to make a bargain for my freedom. I’ll tell you everything..."


    Alvarez’s words were drowned out by the boisterousughter of those around him, including the agents.


    How dare theyugh at him? He felt an urge to dismiss those disrespectful agents, but powerless frustration held him fast.


    "Are you serious, Alvarez?" Aiden asked, still chuckling in disbelief. "You’re one of the few who’ve worked with me the longest. Do you honestly think that suggestion of yours will fly?"


    No, Alvarez answered in his mind, knowing Athena wouldn’t entertain it either. The two were cut from the same cloth.


    "Good. Start talking," Aiden instructed, reclining into his chair, an air of authority surrounding him.


    Alvarez’s lips pressed together tightly. They truly intended to treat him like a criminal. Years of friendship meant nothing to them now. Those bastards!


    "I will shove a dirty sock into your mouth, Alvarez, the next time you’re prompted to speak."


    Ewan’s statement nearly elicited augh from Alvarez, but the man’s frigid expression stopped him. Ewan was as cold as Aiden, if not more so.


    How had he ended up here, sharing space with Athena again? Weren’t they divorced? Hadn’t they despised each other?


    "Okay, I’ll talk," Alvarez finally relented, resigning himself to fate. It was either this or torture in the ck cells for information that needed to be extracted. Maybe if he talked now, they would show him some pity.


    "Morgan is in hiding. We’ve lost track of him. Somehow, he’s off the radar. Hisst reported location was around Peluv Street in the next county. If I had to guess, he’s shacked up with a friend or a member of the gang. But I truly don’t know where he is," He confessed, watching as Athena took notes on her phone.


    She nodded slowly, recognizing the truth in his words. "And what about Heronica and Cole?" She continued, steering the questioning further.


    "They’re still in the containment cells."


    Athena exchanged a quick nce with Aiden. "Why didn’t you let them go, considering Morgan is your friend?"


    Alvarez grimaced, disgust twisting his features. "He is not my friend. Just a necessary means to an end. Well, his crew is still here because I was trying to negotiate a deal."


    "And what deal is that?" Aiden pressed, his voice low with intensity.


    Alvarez hesitated, his mind spinning through various potential lies.


    "Don’t bother lying, old boy. It won’t end well for you if you do," Ewan threatened, clearly reading the emotion etched on Alvarez’s face.


    Alvarez let out a long, dejected sigh. "I wanted direct ess to the main Boss. I wanted to know who the powerful man was, so I could rise above Cecil and Lincoln, who were always unting their status and knowledge over me."


    Athena’s expression ignited with rage, her eyes narrowing. "Let me get this straight, Alvarez... you’re in this business for show?"


    "And the money... it’s lucrative. Can’t you see how well-developed the operations are?" Alvarez retorted sharply.


    "Don’t even say what I think you’re about to say," Rick interjected, finally finding his voice, disgust rising in his throat for this once-hero who had now turned into a viin.