Chapter 1187: In the shed

In the end, Atlas asked Zoren to come with him. Although Zoren was reluctant, Atlas reassured him that Penny would be fine. If anything, the bodyguards were the ones they should worry about. With that, despite his hesitation, Zoren followed Atlas to a private study room.

"I can’t let you go back to the office," was Atlas’s first remark as soon as they sat down. "If people see that on your head, they’ll start talking again."

Zoren touched the bandage on the side of his head. "I was careless."

"You were. You shouldn’t have agreed to Penny’s ridiculous idea of going to that place."

"I’m sorry."

Atlas let out a shallow breath, stopping himself from launching into a full-blown scolding. While he was relieved that everyone was safe, he was not pleased that Zoren hadn’t stopped Penny from going somewhere so dangerous. Though both Penny and Zoren were capable, Atlas wished they hadn’t tested their luck.

"I’m not angry with you. I’m just saying—if you have a choice, don’t put your lives at risk. We were lucky this time, but I can’t guarantee we’ll be lucky next time," Atlas said, his voice flat yet carrying a tinge of worry. "Anyway, I’ve kept in contact with Mint. Fortunately, she’s been kind enough to give me updates on the situation."

"She told me that the victims were transported back to their home countries to reunite with their families. Some had been reported missing, while many didn’t even know they’d been abducted. Apparently, a lot of them had left home to work overseas, unaware that their jobs weren’t what they expected." Atlas summarized, filling Zoren in. "That syndicate wasn’t just running illegal online gambling—they were running scams. Their gambling sites didn’t even let people cash out their winnings, especially if the amounts were large."

"Mint said that another department is chasing after them, but they keep slipping away. Their previous hideout was raided, but they managed to escape before the authorities arrived and moved their operations to this town," he continued solemnly. "The gang was just a front to hide what they were really doing here—or so Mint says."

"I see." Zoren nodded in understanding.

"I’m telling you this because I thought you’d want to know," Atlas said, his tone gradually turning more serious. "But also, I need to ask you something else."

Zoren raised an eyebrow as Atlas’s gaze sharpened.

"The syndicate’s boss was apprehended. However, he was barely recognizable after the beating he took," Atlas said, pausing to watch Zoren’s reaction. "He suffered multiple head injuries, along with other serious wounds. According to Mint, it didn’t look like the result of a tough fight—it looked like torture. If not that, then whoever did it must have been incredibly strong or incredibly angry."

Atlas paused again, his eyes never leaving Zoren. "It was you, wasn’t it? You’re the one who beat him like that."

"..." Zoren didn’t answer immediately, holding Atlas’s gaze sternly. "I don’t know what came over me, but yes. In a fit of blind rage, I think I overdid it."

Atlas leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I don’t know what to think or feel about this."

"I’ll take responsibility for what I did."

"He’s a criminal who victimized hundreds of people. Some of his victims even took their own lives after losing everything to his scams. As much as I have my own opinions on this, his group was exceptionally good at deceiving people." Slowly, Atlas snapped his gaze back to his brother-in-law. "So you don’t have to worry about taking responsibility. He got what he deserved. And even if you hadn’t done it, the families of his victims would have burned him alive."

"Are you trying to make me feel better?"

"I’m simply telling the truth," Atlas replied. "Besides, I have another question. How did you find Penny? From the outside, the entrance to that other section looked like a wall—it was designed to blend in."

Zoren took his time answering. He shrugged. "I don’t know," he admitted. "But for some reason, I felt like I had been there before."

"Have you?"

"No," Zoren shook his head. "At least, not that I remember."

"That’s strange."

"It is, but I’d like to think it was just instinct—and my desire to find my wife."

Atlas studied Zoren’s face and sighed faintly. "Since it’s over, let’s move on. If you need counseling, let me know. I’ll make sure no one finds out, so it can’t be used against you. Anyway, another reason I called you here is because of the project I came for."

With that, Atlas seamlessly transitioned back to business. He reached for a folder and placed it in front of Zoren, going over the project details. As he listened, Zoren couldn’t help but stare at his brother-in-law and smile subtly.

And just like that, both men moved on to discuss business for the first time since arriving on the island.

Some time later, Zoren left the study first, as Atlas had calls to make. Having Atlas around Pierson Corporation had proven helpful for Zoren. Ever since Atlas took his position, Zoren barely had to do anything aside from signing documents and meeting key people.

As soon as Zoren closed the door behind him, he stopped when he saw Mark standing outside.

Mark lowered his head. "Master, I came to apologize for last night."

"Don’t worry about it," Zoren said as he resumed walking, only to pause again. "Actually, I should be the one apologizing. You were right. When I sent you to Penny, I also gave her full authority over what to do with you. You were just doing your job, and what I said was hurtful. I’m sorry."

With that, Zoren resumed his steps. Mark raised his head, watching his master’s retreating figure, his mouth drawn into a thin line. Zoren left without prolonging the conversation, and Mark felt it was the right thing to do.

"About last night..." Mark whispered, remembering something Zoren had said before losing consciousness. "...What did he mean by that?"

Mark slowly turned his gaze toward the study where Atlas remained. He hadn’t thought much about it at the time—he’d been too worried. But now that everything was over, the words replayed in his mind.

’Atlas Bennet is in the shed.’

That was what Zoren had muttered before passing out. It had confused Mark then, but now that he thought about it, Penny had been found in a hidden section of the base—just in front of a shed.