Chapter 2

2

I pulled up the mission roster and turned the screen toward the crowd.

The shift schedule and the signatures were clear for everyone to see.

"Mason, you were the lead technician on duty last night."

"I, Silas, was on mandatory leave after a 72-hour special op."

"My name isn't even on this sheet."

As soon as the words left my mouth, the crowd's suppressed anger found its target again.

"That's right! Silas just got back from the 'Red Scorpion' mission. He defused three linked mines and could barely stand when he got back!"

"Exactly! Mason, you always use Clara's protection to dump the dangerous jobs on Silas. Now you've caused a disaster and you're trying to take him down with you?"

"You messed up and now you want a scapegoat? You really are as pathetic as they say!"

The accusations hit Mason like stones.

The color drained from his face until he was as white as a sheet. He slumped back to the ground, his eyes empty.

Just then, a military SUV screeched to a halt at the perimeter.

The doors flew open. Director Winston and my wife, Clara Thorne, strode toward us. Both of them looked grim.

I looked at Clara. We used to be the golden couple of the agency. Everyone thought we were a match made in heaven.

But right now, her gaze brushed past me without stopping for even a second. She ran straight to Mason.

She took off her jacket and wrapped it around him, pulling him into her arms.

"Don't be scared, Mason. I'm here."

Her voice was softer than I had ever heard it.

"I won't let anything happen to you."

My heart turned to stone in that moment.

In my last life, she protected him just like this. She told me, "Silas, he was just nervous. He's a natural talent. You need to be more encouraging."

Now, she was flaunting her favoritism in front of the whole world.

The colleagues around us looked on with even more disgust and fury.

Director Winston's eyes darted between the three of us like a knife. He barked an order for me to follow him into the command vehicle.

The moment the door slammed shut, his mountain-like composure crumbled.

The battle-hardened Director looked panicked for the first time in his life.

"Silas! I don't give a damn about the regulations!"

He slammed his fist onto the map on the console, making the equipment rattle.

"You have to save that server!"

"If it's destroyed, every single person in this department―starting with me―is going to be lined up against a wall and shot!"

I looked into his bloodshot eyes and spoke calmly.

"Director, I can try."

My voice was quiet, but it brought an instant silence to the van.

"But I have conditions."

I pulled a document from my pocket and handed it over.

It was the approval form Clara had signed, over everyone's objections, for "Mason's Specialized Intuitive Field Application."

The word "Intuitive" looked like a sick joke now.

"The risk was her call."

"I'm not the only one who should be cleaning up this mess."

"I want her to pay the price for this so-called 'innovation.'"

Director Winston's eyes narrowed as he snatched the paper.

When he finished reading, he slammed it back onto the desk with a deafening bang.

"That idiot!"

His roar almost shook the roof off.

"Don't you worry. That expert seat she's been gunning for? It's gone."

"Every promotion path she has is frozen as of today!"

A cold, sharp smile touched my lips.

I picked up a pen and signed the liability waiver and the mission orders.

Clara, I'm cutting off your career path with my own hands this time.