The next day, upon discovering the possible perpetrator of the crime, Damián felt a mixture of anxiety and determination. The need to clarify the facts was urgent, and he couldn't wait any longer to discuss the situation with Aster and Mason.
As he prepared to leave, Damián couldn't shake off the absurdity he had heard from Adam about the attack on Taylor and Clarice. The situation was serious, and he knew he could no longer remain indifferent to the events.
Determined to act, Damián summoned Mason to accompany him to the gallery. He knew he needed the support of his colleagues to deal with the unfolding crisis before them.
Upon arriving at the gallery, Damián led Mason to his private office, where Aster was already waiting for them.
The tension in the air was palpable, and Damián felt a knot forming in his stomach as he sat down to discuss the recent events.
"Mason, Aster, it's crucial that you understand the gravity of the situation," Damián began, his voice laden with seriousness, speaking with the gravity of a security analyst.
He cast a meaningful glance at Mason before continuing. "Mason: Astra, your pseudonym, is being investigated as the prime suspect in the attack on Clarice Phillips and Taylor May, but I know you're not the real culprit."
The shock on Mason's face was evident, and he immediately began to protest his innocence, his words tumbling out rapidly in a mix of disbelief and indignation.
"Who could be behind this? And why am I being framed? How did they arrive at this name?"Aster asked, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion at Damián's surprising revelation.
Damián sighed, feeling the weight of the situation on his shoulders. "It seems the true criminal left evidence incriminating Astra's pseudonym in an attempt to deflect attention from themselves. The psycho hacker is being used as a scapegoat in this case," he explained, emphasizing that Astra is male.
Aster nodded, his expression serious, reflecting the gravity of the matter. "We need to act swiftly to find the real culprit and understand the motive behind this sinister plot."
With renewed determination, Mason rose to his feet, his voice echoing in the room as he reiterated about the latest threatening letter Clarice and Taylor had received: "I swear, I didn't do this; the last letter wasn't me; I'm innocent!
I admit I broke into Taylor's apartment, but I'm a hacker and was researching conspiracy theories in this world, looking for you two. I was with Can-Bey Wilson; I can prove it!"
His eyes gleamed with fervor and desperation as he desperately sought to prove his innocence to his colleagues.
After Damián's revelation about Astra being investigated as the prime suspect, the tension in the room was palpable. Aster pondered the next steps, seeking an investigative approach to resolve the case and ensure the culprit was found.
"Damián, I think it would be prudent to visit Taylor in the hospital," suggested Aster, his expression reflecting a mixture of concern and determination. "With Lady Elizabeth there, she might be able to provide valuable information."
Damián considered the suggestion for a moment, evaluating its logic. The idea of using Lady Elizabeth as an investigative tool was unsettling, especially considering the tensions between him and Taylor May, along with the difficulty of finding Beatrice Phillips.
"You're right, Aster," Damián agreed, nodding. "It would be wise to offer support to Lady Elizabeth and the May family during their hospital stay. Additionally, it might be an opportunity to gather information or clues that help us progress in the investigation."
With the plan decided, Damián made preparations for the hospital visit, ensuring Emeline was ready to accompany him. The prospect of meeting Lady Elizabeth and obtaining more information about the case brought a tumultuous feeling about the recent events.
As Damián left with Emeline for the hospital visit, Aster and Mason remained together in the gallery, awaiting the arrival of Reese Davis. With a determined expression, Aster led Mason to his personal studio, where he began preparing everything for the imminent encounter.
The atmosphere was tense, and the gravity of the situation weighed on them. Aster covered the studio floor with a large plastic sheet, creating a conducive environment for what was to come. He handed Mason a plastic overall for painting, indicating that he should wear one too.
"Aster, I need to ensure everything is perfect for the use of this studio; we're receiving an important visitor," he said, his voice filled with determination. "Put on the overall and be ready to act when I give the signal."
Mason, in turn, seemed discontent. He found himself relegated to an assistant role, a position that made him feel underestimated, especially considering his prowess as the great hacker Astra. In his mind, he thought he could be enjoying the luxury of the Kadman mansion, but there he was, preparing to assist Aster as a mere painting and reception helper.
While Mason fetched paints and brushes according to Aster's instructions, his mind wandered, pondering how his life had changed since becoming the target of a crime he didn't commit.
Meanwhile, Aster continued to prepare, his mind focused on his plan to deal with Reese Davis. He knew he needed to act swiftly and efficiently to neutralize any threat Reese posed to him and others involved in the investigation.
The floor was lined with a large plastic sheet, and various painting materials were arranged on nearby tables. Aster handed a plastic overall to Mason, indicating that he should prepare to work.
Behind his gaze, Aster hid a thousand faces, listening to whispers and secrets in the dark corridors of his mind.
Aster was cold as he waited for Reese Davis at the back door of the gallery. He knew he needed to proceed with caution, maintaining discretion, to lead Reese to his personal studio. Finally, he spotted Reese's silhouette approaching in the dim light.
"Reese, this way," called Aster, waving for him to follow. "We need to go straight to the studio."
Reese nodded, following Aster through a few empty corridors of the gallery. Their footsteps echoed in the silence as they approached their final destination. Upon reaching the studio, Reese looked around, impressed with the environment prepared by Aster.
When the door swung open, Reese was visibly surprised to see Mason in the studio. Mason looked up to greet the unexpected visitor.
"What's he doing here?" Reese asked, confused by the presence of the young man before him.
Mason maintained his composure, his expression alert. "I'm here to assist Aster with whatever is needed," he replied, picking up a brush and preparing to receive any work orders.
Reese doubled down and began his move boldly: "I thought Damián would be here, but... Don't get me wrong or take me the way you want," Reese began audaciously, disregarding any obstacles that might exist. He continued in a firm tone, dictating the rule.
"But I want you to know that your friend's success comes with a price. I know you wanted information about Adam. I admit, incredibly, you two are good. Additionally, you got Callum Campbell."
Aster listened to Reese's provocation calmly, his piercing gaze reflecting a mixture of disdain and interest. He was prepared for the imminent confrontation.
"But you only paid for one service, and my work yielded two extraordinary results," Reese continued, his voice filled with ambition and challenge.
Aster responded with irony and attention, his lips curving into a subtle smile. "You're a dominant omega, Reese. You wouldn't stand a chance even if you stripped naked in front of Adam."
Aster watched Reese's reaction with satisfaction, knowing his words hit the mark. He was ready to continue the power play with his adversary, determined to pursue his plans.
Mason went on alert upon hearing that conversation and realized the scene: materials upon plastic sheets covered the studio floor, while the acoustic lining contributed to the tense atmosphere. Plastic coveralls and gloves completed the scene, making Mason feel the air escape from his lungs as he realized it was the perfect setup for a crime.
As he watched, Aster began to prepare, putting on his plastic overall. Reese, consumed by a feeling of discontent, raised his voice: "But it's little, too little; this place should be mine!"
Aster responded with a cold voice: "How much do you want, Reese?" Then Aster shouted: "What did you do, Reese?" He did not dismiss the possibility that Reese was involved in the incident with Clarice and Taylor.
Unfazed, Reese continued, "I don't need to give you explanations; you should obey me; because I can create a scandal with the information. The conspiracy couple, Adam Kadman's Omega, used shady means of persecution to grab the famous Alpha Prime."
Laughing boldly, Reese continued: "Or, Omega, social climber, set up to separate Callum Campbell and Clarice Phillips."
Aster looked at Reese and smiled, but it was a strange smile. He said, "I can't afford it and don't want to afford it. I propose we settle it another way. A way that's good for me and you."
"It won't be good for you to get involved with people as powerful as the Kadman and Campbell families," Aster warned. "You aided the deceived and then will ridicule them, saying that two prime alphas were deceived by two sophisticated lying omegas?"
"However, today I will offer you the perfect solution," Aster continued.
Disconcerted, Mason was glued to the wall, his eyes attentive to every word exchanged between Aster and Reese.
Aster was determined to resolve the situation with Reese without shedding blood. He knew he needed to act swiftly and accurately to neutralize the threat Reese represented.
As Reese continued to make his threats, Aster remained calm and calculated. He watched the surrounding environment closely, looking for any opportunity to act.
Suddenly, something caught Aster's attention among his paintings. It was the container of Aconitum nacelles, a toxic substance he had prepared for Reese.
Without hesitation, Aster seized the syringe and swiftly advanced toward Reese. With a precise and swift movement, he struck Reese on the neck, causing him to step back and put his hand to the affected area.
Reese was stunned and unbalanced, unable to understand what was happening. As he tried to regain his composure, with his hand still on his neck, Reese looked at Aster with disbelief and confusion.
Before he could react, Aster seized the opportunity to apply the toxic substance to Reese's mouth, rendering him unable to offer resistance.
As Reese collapsed to the ground, feeling the effects of the Aconitum napellus spreading through his body, Aster knew he had effectively neutralized the threat without spilling a single drop of blood. Aster quickly searched through his belongings, finding and removing his communication device.
Acting swiftly, Aster tossed Reese's communication device towards Mason, who was motionless against the wall. With agile reflexes, Mason caught the device midair while observing Reese fall to the ground, still stunned by the effects of the Aconitum napellus.
Aster's shouts echoed through the studio, shaking Mason from his momentary paralysis. He absorbed Aster's instructions with determination, understanding the urgency of the situation. Without hesitation, Mason plunged into the necessary actions.
Meanwhile, Aster rummaged through the paints once again, this time retrieving Mason's bracelet and hurling it in his direction. Mason caught the bracelet, feeling its weight on his wrist, aware of its importance for swiftly carrying out the received order.
Mason remotely accessed all the documents on Reese's device, meticulously examining each file. With surgical precision, he deleted all relevant information, ensuring that nothing could be used against them in the future.
With Reese's device cleansed of any compromising traces, Mason launched a cyberattack on the gallery's security systems. With impressive technological skill, he breached the surveillance cameras and altered the recordings to cover up the events of that night.
Additionally, Mason utilized advanced cybersecurity techniques to remotely access Reese's networks and computers, meticulously erasing all conversations, calls, footage, and any other digital traces that could incriminate or compromise their security.
When the task was completed, Mason looked at Aster with a mixture of exhaustion and determination. With the threat neutralized, and all evidence erased, they could breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now.
Mason looked at Aster as a subordinate, his expression reflecting a mix of shock and relief. "All wiped, no more footage of him leaving the building he was working in before coming to the Gallery," affirmed Mason, his voice still trembling from the intensity of what he had just done.
Surprised, he turned to Aster, unable to contain his perplexity. "And what about the body? What are we going to do?" Mason asked, his voice revealing disbelief at Aster's suggestion.
Aster responded with a grim seriousness, his eyes shining with sinister determination. "We're taking him to the cemetery," he said, his voice echoing in the silence of the studio.
"Cemetery?" Mason repeated, still stunned by the proposal. "Why the cemetery?"
Aster looked at Mason, his piercing gaze conveying an aura of relentless authority. "It's the best place," he explained. "There's always freshly turned earth, it won't raise suspicions, and he needs to be buried."
Shocked by Aster's response, Mason couldn't contain his surprise. "I thought you were the good cop, the special agent," he murmured, struggling to understand the logic behind Aster's actions.
Aster looked at Mason with a sinister smile, his expression revealing an unknown and disturbing facet. "I'm not the Batman; heroes kill!" Aster replied, his voice laden with dark irony. "You'd kill too if you had a mother-in-law like Lady Sarah Campbell!"
With these words, the reality of the situation dawned on Mason, and he realized he was involved in something much darker than he had ever imagined.