Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 104

CHAPTER 102 PART 2

“Atlas Lancaster!” The name burst from Trevor’s mouth like a confession at gunpoint-which, technically, it was. “Atlas Lancaster hired me! One of the Four Young Masters! He-he wanted the video released! He said he said it would trigger events! That Marcus Steel would eliminate Quamaine Potter! That Atlas could position himself to benefit afterward!”

The office fell into absolute silence.

On the speakerphone, Marcus Steel’s voice carried no emotion whatsoever. “Elaborate.”

Trevor’s words tumbled out in a desperate rush, each sentence buying him seconds more of life. “Atlas Lancaster contacted me through SecureTask! Anonymous contract but the payment routing-I traced it! Shadow Vale Enterprises is his shell company! He’s been manipulating conflicts between the Four Young Masters! Using Marcus Steel as a weapon to eliminate rivals while Atlas stays clean!”

“He told you this directly?” Marcus’s voice remained utterly calm.

“No-no, I figured it out! From the payment trail and timing! The video went viral exactly when Potter Family tensions were highest! It was designed to provoke them! To force Marcus Steel into conflict!”

“And you took the money anyway,” Marcus observed.

“I—I didn’t know it would—I’m just a contractor! I upload videos! I don’t “Trevor’s protests died under Bane’s contemptuous stare.

“Bane,” Marcus said, his voice carrying through the speaker with absolute authority. “The target is confirmed?”

“Yes,” Bane replied. “Atlas Lancaster. Fourth son of the Lancaster family. One of Grayson City’s Four Young Masters alongside Quamaine Potter. This checks out-Atlas has motive, means, and documented history of manipulating conflicts for personal gain.”

“Then here are your orders,” Marcus continued. “The contractor lives. He becomes an asset. Make him compliant by any means necessary, then send him back to Atlas Lancaster as our eyes and ears.”

Trevor’s sob of relief was cut short when Bane grabbed his ear and twisted with surgical precision.

“You hear that?” Bane said pleasantly. “The higher-ups are merciful. I would’ve killed you once you served your purpose. But they want you alive and useful.”

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that somehow carried more menace than shouting. “Your daughter, Emily Mitchell. Age seven. Attends Riverside Elementary School. Gets picked up every day at three- fifteen by your ex-wife Jennifer. Lives at 2847 Maple Street, apartment 4B.”

Trevor’s eyes went wide with absolute terror. “How-how do you know—”

“I know everything,” Bane interrupted. “Her favorite teacher is Mrs. Rodriguez. Her best friend is a girl named Sophie Chen. Last Tuesday she got an A-minus on her spelling test and cried because she wanted an A-plus.”

The specific details-the intimate knowledge of his daughter’s daily life-shattered whatever resistance remained in Trevor Mitchell.

“Please,” he whispered. “Please don’t hurt her. I’ll do anything. Anything,”

“Good,” Bane said. “Here’s what you’re going to do. You’ll return to Atlas Lancaster and tell him someone tried to kill you near Titan Group. You were investigating Marcus Steel’s connections when unknown attackers ambushed you. You barely escaped.”

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“But-but how will that be believable-”

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“Because you’ll have the injuries to prove it,” Bane interrupted. “And because your regular contact at the Riverside Grill-the one Atlas uses for private meetings-is actually one of our informants. He’ll confirm your story. An ambulance will arrive at your location in exactly twelve minutes. You’ll be injured just enough to make the lie convincing.”

Owen stared at Bane in genuine shock. The Supervision Department knew about Atlas Lancaster’s secret contacts? His preferred meeting locations? Even individual informants planted years ago?

“How-“Owen started to ask.

“Hundred million annual budget,” Bane replied without looking away from Trevor. “We don’t waste it.”

He turned back to the terrified contractor. “You’ll recover. Return to work. Continue your contract with Atlas. But now you report everything to me. Every instruction, every payment, every communication. You become our window into Atlas Lancaster’s operations.”

“And-and if I do this,” Trevor gasped, “my daughter stays safe?”

“As long as you’re useful,” Bane confirmed. “Betray us, and Emily doesn’t make it home from school one day. Cooperate fully, and neither you nor your family will ever know we exist.”

He stood, pulling Trevor to his feet with casual strength. “Now we give you a convincing injury.”

The gunshot was deafening in the enclosed office.

Trevor screamed, collapsing as the bullet tore through his shoulder-missing his heart by exactly one centimeter, just as Bane had calculated. Blood sprayed across Owen’s desk, his carpet, his walls.

“Call Atlas,” Bane ordered, pressing Trevor’s phone into his blood-slicked hand. “Now. Scream for help. Make it convincing.”

Trevor’s fingers, shaking violently, somehow managed to dial. The call connected.

“Atlas-ATLAS!” Trevor’s scream was genuine, fueled by shock and pain. “They tried to kill me! Near Titan Group! I’m hit! I’m bleeding! Send help! Please! I’m at-I’m at-”

“Where are you?!” Atlas Lancaster’s voice came through the speaker, sharp with alarm. “Trevor?! What happened?!”

“Ambush–they knew-someone knew I was investigating “Trevor’s voice broke into sobs. “Please, I need a hospital! I’m dying!”

“Stay on the line! I’m sending my people right now! Where exactly are you?!”

Bane mouthed the address silently. Trevor repeated it through gasps of pain.

“Hold on!” Atlas ordered. “My men will be there in five minutes! Just-just hold on!”

The call stayed connected, Atlas’s voice continuing to issue orders to his subordinates in the background.

Bane looked at Owen with cold satisfaction. “And that’s how you turn an enemy’s contractor into our asset. Simple, efficient, effective.”

On the speakerphone, Marcus Steel’s voice carried quiet approval. “Well done, Bane. Keep me updated on Atlas’s. movements. I want to know every step he takes.”

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CHAPTER 102 PART 2

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