Chapter 305: Consequences
"Sir, none of them is willing to cooperate. They’re not talking. I believe they were trained to keep their mouths shut."
Atlas’s sharp eyes glinted as he listened to the report from the other end of the line.
"I’ll be there," was all he said before ending the call.
According to the reports, the people they apprehended were confirmed to be in the same group as those who intruded on the penthouse. They served as lookouts—or at least, that’s what it seemed. They couldn’t interrogate others because Lola took everyone down who got into the place.
Allen glanced at the backseat and let out a shallow breath. He had rushed to his boss when he heard what had happened, but everything was already over. And now, Atlas was fuming. Although the man was quiet, it was the loudest silence Allen had heard.
This reminds me... of that incident years ago.
Another heavy sigh escaped him as he peeled his eyes from the backseat to the windshield.
And... Scarlet is going to be in deep trouble. I don’t think she will just get suspended this time.
*****
The people they apprehended were sent straight to the state prison for questioning. When they arrived, Atlas stood in the observation room and watched the interrogation continue. However, even when the interrogator started becoming aggressive, there was nothing but pure silence from the suspects.
"They’re not going to talk," he said, making the people — including the warden and the captain officer with him — look at him. Atlas paused for a moment, studying the perpetrators silently.
After a deep breath, Atlas turned on his heel.
"Sir, are you leaving now?" the warden asked. "Don’t worry. I will make sure they start talking. I’ll reach out to you once we get something relevant."
"There’s no need for that, Warden," Atlas shot him a sidelong glance. "My men will take it from here."
The warden opened his mouth, then shut it again and nodded in understanding. Without a word, he watched Atlas walk away to where his men were waiting.
"Warden, what does that mean?" The captain leaned close to the warden. "Don’t tell me you’re letting them all out of here?"
The warden looked at the captain. "Just shut your mouth and pretend you were not here. It’s better that way."
He then shifted his focus to the shut door. Although the warden didn’t know Atlas’s disposition, he acted under the orders of those above. After all, they were the ones who reached out to him and told him to comply with Atlas’s conditions.
*****
When Atlas left the observation room, Allen perked up and rushed to his side.
"Sir, are they still not talking?" Allen asked, walking carefully alongside his boss.
Atlas’s steps didn’t stop, nor did they slow. He maintained his pace before he finally spoke.
"If they do not want to talk, then don’t let them talk," he muttered, his eyes cold and the air around him dark. "Send someone who would make them wish they had opened their mouths when they had the chance. Chop them off limb by limb, and keep them alive in misery for as long as they could."
Hearing this, Allen’s breath hitched, and his steps stopped for a moment. All he could do was stare at his boss’s figure and gulp.
Atlas paused and glanced over his shoulder. "Did you hear me?"
"Ye—yes, sir!" Allen nodded. "I’ll send someone right away."
Having said that, Atlas resumed his steps while Allen rushed to follow him. The latter quickly took out his phone to give the order, knowing this carried top priority. Once they reached their ride just outside the establishment, Allen looked back at the back seat.
"They will be taken care of, sir," Allen announced quietly. "I sent Qyer to do the job."
And yet, there was no satisfaction in Atlas’s eyes. Allen pressed his mouth together and lowered his head before quickly settling in his seat. Violence was something Atlas wasn’t truly fond of. However, since he had joined the Secret Society and led the Zorken family, he had to make hard, violent, and aggressive choices.
Not that Allen didn’t think those men didn’t deserve it. He also knew they would’ve wished they had talked when they had the chance. Because now, nothing would save them anymore—nothing. Even the truth wouldn’t be able to save them.
*****
Atlas’s next stop was to see Scarlet, who had been taken to the mansion where the rest of his family was staying. Scarlet was not in the main residence but rather in the small bungalow—the guest house.
Seated on the couch in the mini living room, Atlas slowly moved his eyes to the entrance. The door creaked, revealing Scarlet. Following behind her were the same people who had brought her here.
Scarlet glanced around, catching more men just standing in each corner. Then Allen stood just a few steps from where Atlas sat. When she stopped, her eyes locked with his.
"What did you do?" Atlas didn’t beat around the bush. "Explain."
Scarlet briefly raised her brows and cleared her throat. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
"I am already in a horrible mood, Scarlet," Atlas warned, his tone flat and toneless as ever. However, everyone could feel the temperature drop in the room.
This was not good.
Everyone moved their attention to Scarlet, mentally telling her not to challenge him any further. At the end of the day, Scarlet was still their colleague, and they all worked for Atlas. A part of them hoped she wouldn’t test the waters right now.
"I am giving you a chance to explain yourself," Atlas muttered. "Do not take it for granted."
Scarlet gulped and looked straight at him. Even though the man was usually cold and unbothered, this was the first time she felt intimidated by just his gaze.
"Why did you pull out her security?" he asked.
There was supposed to be a team of security in Lola’s shadow, even in the penthouse. Atlas specifically ordered this to make sure this exact situation wouldn’t happen. It was a lesson he learned a long time ago.
However, the people who were supposed to be guarding the penthouse were pulled back by the head of security operations. And by head, he meant Scarlet.
"We are lacking manpower," she said under her breath. "I thought if I borrowed those on standby around the penthouse, it wouldn’t be a problem. It’s just for a day."
"You thought?" His eyebrows rose while his head lowered.
Scarlet bit her inner bottom lip. "I’m sorry. I didn’t think the day I would need some reinforcement, this would happen."
What followed her remarks was nothing but pure silence. Atlas casually tapped his fingers against the armrest, staring at Scarlet. When his eyes wandered over her body and eventually fell to her shoes, he spoke quietly.
"You are lucky nothing serious happened to her," he said, slowly lifting his gaze to meet hers. "Even so, there are consequences to everything. And tonight, you will pay for ignoring my orders and putting Lola in danger."
Atlas got up, holding her gaze. "I recommend a toe on each foot, but you make your choice." Having said that, he started walking away. "Cut her toes—one from each foot—and don’t you dare give her any painkillers."
As those words flew out of his mouth, everyone stared at his figure, including Scarlet. Her eyes widened; her complexion went pale. When she glanced at everyone, all she saw were apologetic looks.
The next second, all she heard were one of the men telling her, "Rules are rules, Scar. We’re sorry."