The rain fell harder outside the city.
On a deserted road, a black car glided silently through the thick night. Its headlights cut through the curtain of rain like two cold eyes with no other purpose but a single predetermined goal.
In the back seat of the car, a man sat with his body bound.
His hands were cuffed behind the seat.
His legs could not move either.
His face was pale, his hair disheveled, and his breathing sounded unsteady.
Dr. Victor Hale.
His eyes stared out the window, but what he saw was not the road or the rain.
What he saw was the past he had been trying to forget.
A man's voice beside him broke the silence.
"Calm down, Doctor."
The man spoke in a casual tone.
"No one wants to hurt you."
Victor turned slowly.
"Then why am I tied up like this?"
The man smiled faintly.
"Because you tried to run away."
Victor did not reply.
The car finally stopped in front of a large building standing far from the city's hustle and bustle.
A luxurious house with classic architecture, hidden in the middle of a small forest.
The iron gate opened slowly.
The car drove in.
When the car stopped, the back door was opened.
Victor was forced out.
Rain immediately soaked his face.
He stared at the large house with eyes full of fear.
"Is he here?" he asked softly.
The man holding him only said,
"Go inside."
Inside the house, the atmosphere was warm and calm.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling.
A long red carpet stretched across the floor.
But for Victor, the place felt like an overly luxurious prison.
He was taken to a large study.
There, a man stood in front of the window with his hands in his suit pockets.
His back was straight.
An aura of power emanated from every movement he made.
Victor recognized him immediately.
Marcus Sterling.
Marcus stared at the rain outside the window for a few seconds before turning around.
His gaze was cold.
But there was something more dangerous than mere anger.
Patience.
"It's been a long time, Victor."
Victor swallowed.
"Marcus…"
He tried to stand straighter.
"This isn't necessary."
Marcus walked slowly closer.
His steps were calm.
Not in a hurry.
"On the contrary," he said softly.
"This is very necessary."
Victor stared at the floor.
"I didn't say anything."
Marcus stopped a few steps away from him.
"I know."
That was what made Victor even more afraid.
Marcus continued,
"The problem isn't what you've already said."
He stared sharply at Victor.
"The problem is what you might say."
Victor shook his head quickly.
"I won't talk."
Marcus smiled faintly.
"Everyone says that."
He walked to his desk and picked up a glass of whiskey.
"But pressure has a funny way of changing beliefs."
Victor took a long breath.
"I didn't tell them anything about that night."
Marcus looked at him.
"Not yet."
Victor finally spoke in a louder voice,
"I won't get involved in this anymore!"
The room fell silent.
Marcus swirled his glass slowly.
"Interesting."
Victor looked at him.
"What?"
Marcus walked closer again.
"You say you won't get involved…"
He stopped right in front of Victor.
"…as if you ever had a choice."
Victor froze.
Marcus continued in a low voice,
"Twenty years ago you worked at Elena Ward's laboratory."
The name made Victor close his eyes for a moment.
"She trusted you."
Victor did not reply.
Marcus spoke again,
"You were one of three people who knew how the Helios technology truly worked."
Victor whispered,
"Marcus… please…"
But Marcus did not stop.
"And on the night when Elena refused to hand over the project…"
Victor suddenly spoke loudly,
"I didn't kill her!"
The words exploded in the room.
Marcus stared at him for a few seconds.
Then he spoke calmly,
"I never said you killed her."
Victor realized his own mistake.
His body trembled.
Marcus walked back to the desk.
"You only did what you were told."
Victor looked at him with eyes full of fear.
"He would have killed me if I didn't do it."
Marcus stopped.
The word "he" hung in the air.
Marcus turned slowly.
"So you still remember him."
Victor did not reply.
But his expression was enough.
Marcus smiled faintly.
"Interesting."
He sat down in his chair.
"Because Ethan Sterling is now looking for the truth about that night."
Victor tensed up.
"Is he close?"
Marcus nodded.
"Closer than you think."
Victor covered his face with his hands.
"This wasn't supposed to happen…"
Marcus looked at him calmly.
"All of this has been happening for a long time."
Victor looked at Marcus with eyes full of despair.
"What do you want from me?"
Marcus put his glass on the desk.
"Simple enough."
He stared at Victor with a cold gaze.
"You will stay silent."
Victor laughed bitterly.
"I've been silent for twenty years."
Marcus nodded.
"And you will continue to be so."
Victor stared at the floor.
"What if I don't?"
Marcus did not reply with words.
He only stared at Victor for a few seconds.
That was enough.
Victor knew exactly what the look meant.
But before the conversation could continue, the study door was suddenly knocked on.
Marcus raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Come in."
A guard entered with a serious face.
"Sir."
Marcus looked at him.
"What is it?"
The guard said,
"There's something you need to see."
Marcus stood up.
"Now?"
The guard nodded.
Marcus walked toward the large monitor screen on the wall.
The guard turned it on.
A security camera recording appeared on the screen.
Marcus narrowed his eyes.
Because on the screen were two men standing in front of the large house's gate.
Ethan.
And Daniel.
Victor immediately turned pale.
"They found me…"
Marcus did not look surprised.
Instead, he smiled slightly.
"Faster than I expected."
Victor looked at him in panic.
"You have to hide me!"
Marcus did not reply.
He stared at the screen with sharp eyes.
Outside the gate, Ethan stood calmly, staring at the large house like someone ready to face anything.
Marcus said softly,
"The game has finally reached the interesting part."
Victor whispered in a trembling voice,
"If he finds out the truth…"
Marcus looked at him.
"He will."
Victor swallowed.
"Then why did you let him come?"
Marcus smiled faintly.
Because in truth.
he also wanted to hear the truth.
From Victor Hale's own mouth.