Agent Bomer: "I understand your explanation, but the Gump company received substantial transfers from an entity based in country Y. What can you tell us about this?"
Aster: "That was part of our earnings. Country M offers better tax conditions, and we wanted to maximize our returns."
Damián: "Yes, it was a strategy. There's nothing illegal about it, and everything is documented."
Agent Bomer: "Interesting, but are you aware that this entity is under investigation for money laundering?"
Damián: "We… we didn't do that. We are decent and honest people."
The agents exchanged skeptical glances, jotting down notes feverishly while the brothers maintained a firm and controlled posture, trying to project calm.
Agent Bomer: "You mentioned you started as stunt doubles, but no one makes millions just from that. Who was behind Gump company's meteoric growth?"
Damián: "We had a particular, important, and confidential contract. That contract was a turning point in our lives. Destiny brought us valuable luck." After a calculated pause, he added, "The universe can be generous when you believe in it."
Agent Bomer: "A confidential contract? The person responsible for payments is under investigation."
Aster: "No, just… confidential. There's a reason for that."
Agent Reynolds: "Everything you're reporting is vague and possibly false. We're still in the belly of the beast, youngsters. Duplicity and hunger are never satisfied by money; they drive people to madness. People lie all the time, but their instincts never fail."
Agent Reynolds pressed on: "Which company? Stunt doubles for which movies or commercials?"
Damián: "As I said, it's confidential, with multimillion-dollar fines for breaches. We can't afford the confidentiality agreement."
Agent Reynolds: "You can't afford it?"
Agent Bomer: "Your plan worked, it did." Pointing at Damián, he continued, "You're in a bond with Adam Kadman. And you," looking at Aster, "with Callum Campbell. Money here isn't the issue."
Agent Bomer: "Money started all this… I'll tell you what's happening. You know that serial killer hacker; you conspired with him. With his crimes, he made money, and you laundered that money. Did he create both of you?"
Agent Reynolds: "Which brings us to a big question: Who are you?"
Aster and Damián's eyes widened momentarily, but they regained composure, maintaining silence.
Agent Bomer: "There were rumors that Miss Taylor May was going to marry Adam Kadman and Miss Clarice Phillips was the famous fiancée of Callum Campbell. To eliminate any threat to your plans, you plotted to kill Miss Taylor May and Clarice Phillips."
Agent Reynolds: "So, the plan worked, but there were loose ends, and you killed Reese Davis to eliminate any information. Reese Davis was blackmailing both of you? Is that what happened, am I right? And that's why you killed him, but you didn't count on Fredrick Lund, that he could expose you, so you killed him too."
Aster, listening to the accusations delivered with the proficiency of an interrogation, found much of the agents' performance quite impressive.
Aster: "What is this, the plot of a police movie? A script of love and murder? With omegas treated as unscrupulous villains?"
Aster: "I hear in your voice that you consider us worse off because we are omegas and orphans. You judge us by our circumstances, by our connections. Yes, we had luck and powerful connections, but that doesn't make us criminals."
The silence in the room grew heavy as the agents processed Aster's response. The tension was palpable, the fluorescent light above hummed softly, and the thin line between truth and suspicion became increasingly blurry.
Damián took a deep breath, staring intently at the agents before speaking: "In my room, in the old apartment, it's all there. The contracts, the transactions..."
He paused, his eyes shining with determination. "The access code to the safe and digital devices is 27061980…"
Aster abruptly cut him off, his voice laden with controlled tension: "We can't afford the fines. We're talking about 100 million, Damián!"
Damián looked at Aster, his eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and resignation: "We can sell the apartment. And the gallery. I propose we put an end to this once and for all."
Damián, with a voice filled with bitterness: "Aster, don't you understand? Without luck, we are and will always be…"
Despite understanding, Damián raised his hand. He took a deep breath again, trying to remain calm; his voice came out steady and unwavering: "Aster, don't you see? Promises are the roots of all betrayals…"
He paused. Then, with a determined look, he continued: "I would rather sell everything and work as a slave for the rest of my life than continue with this circus of horrors."
Damián gave a challenging look, facing the agents. "You want the truth? There's the truth. Let's end this absurd pursuit."
Aster agreed with Damián's words, not arguing, for a while.
The agents watched silently, processing the twist. The hum of tension seemed louder in the tense silence of the room.
Agent Reynolds: "What will we find?"
The real narrative, the truth, the best and only option. Aster began: "Our story... He paused... smiled and began; he has a detestable cliché, and I'm not talking about a super romantic cliché—Special Agent Reynolds. One day in college, Damián overheard that they needed ski doubles. It was an unexpected opportunity. We auditioned and became professional skiers, stunt doubles for performing dangerous maneuvers, like skiing in avalanches and making risky jumps in movies, TV shows, and commercials. We grew up in a small town near the mountains; we skied well and passed the tests. And then, when we went to meet the actor we were going to double, we had a monstrous surprise. We first met Ryan Byrne, the film director, who explained that the actor we were going to double had snow blindness, a severe and rare case that caused severe symptoms, such as temporary loss of vision. That actor was Nathan Caller."
Aster paused, observing the agents' reaction before continuing.
Aster: "We also met Nathan Caller that same day. Despite the confidentiality of the contract, we kept many videos of the shoots. There is no loyalty among people, we cannot trust anyone. We did it for surveillance, for the success of the film, and confidentiality. Nathan Caller is an award-winning actor, famous for not using doubles, and the film ended up being hailed as his best work."
The agents were momentarily stunned, processing the extraordinary revelation. The sound of computers and pens jotting down notes stopped abruptly. In the other room, colleagues monitoring the interrogation also displayed expressions of shock and surprise, some murmuring among themselves.
Agent Reynolds, recovering first, shook his head in disbelief: "This changes everything."
Agent Bomer after a moment, nodded slowly: "We're going to need to see those videos."
Aster: "The recordings were always done…(pause…), like war missions, with no trace left behind. That's why we were always meticulous with clandestine recordings. Despite the success and the good money we received, we never dreamed of an eternal paradise. We knew everything could collapse at any moment."
Aster paused, looking at Damián before continuing.
Aster clarifies: "The extra amounts in the transactions come from risks that weren't adequately calculated and resulted in accidents, which is common in avalanches and dangerous maneuvers."
After Aster and Damián revealed the films and other items in the apartment, the atmosphere in the questioning room became more intense. The agents, taken aback by the revelations, immediately arranged an operation to inspect the omegas' residence.
Agent Bomer: "Agents, let's organize a team to check Aster and Damián's apartment immediately. We need those pieces of evidence in custody for detailed analysis."
Agent Bomer: "We will also check the gallery's cameras. If they show you were at the gallery at the time of Fredrick Lund's death and the last sighting of Reese Davis, this might help prove your innocence."
Agent Reynolds: "Furthermore, we need to confirm your money is clean. All transactions and sources of income will be thoroughly checked."
Aster: "We understand."
Agent Bomer: "We'll start the analysis immediately. This will help us clarify everything."
Agent Reynolds: "You will remain in custody here at the station until everything is clarified and the source of your money is verified. You cannot leave to avoid compromising the evidence."
Agent Bomer: "Damián, Aster, your lawyers will accompany the agents to the apartment. We will seal the place and ensure all evidence is collected safely."
Damián: "Understood."
Shortly afterward, in Aster and Damián's apartment:
A search team, including agents wearing protective clothing and safety equipment, comes to Aster and Damián's flat, accompanied by the brothers' lawyers. They enter the premises gently to preserve evidence and ensure the team's safety.
Search Agent: "Okay, everyone. Conduct a diligent search. Look for all recording devices, paperwork, contracts, and anything else stated."
As the team combs through the apartment, they find a variety of significant items:
— Documents and Contracts: Detailed files of stunt contracts, financial transactions, and confidential agreements.
— Recording Videos: Various tapes and storage devices containing film production recordings, some with extremely risky scenes.
— Aicram 67 Drug (Silence Drug): A vial containing a banned substance known for its illegal use to suppress omega instincts.
— Inhibitors: Devices used to suppress individuals' natural abilities or reactions.
— Computers and Graphic Tablets: All equipment was meticulously packed and taken to the station for analysis.
Search Agent: "We have everything here. Let's send it for forensic analysis at the station immediately."
Back at the Station:
Aster and Damián are taken to a private room at the station, where they are informed about the collection of genetic material evidence and their custody status.
Agent Reynolds: "You will remain in custody while the evidence is analyzed and the origin of your money is clarified. Any attempt to interfere with or destroy the evidence will only complicate the situation further."
Aster: "We understand."
Agent Bomer: "We'll start the analysis immediately. This will help us clarify everything."
Far from the police environment, the news reached Jared and Oliver Phillips, who were stunned. Mr. Jared Phillips, with wide eyes and a trembling voice, said, "How dare that omega try to destroy our family? He stole the happiness of our Clarice and, driven by ambition, tried to kill my daughter! I will never forgive him."
Oliver — upon learning of the revelation, felt a mixture of shock and anger. "I always knew something was wrong. But I could never prove anything. I never imagined it would go this far," he said, clenching his fists. "I remember the day I invited Damián to the hospital to see Clarice. He talked to me with such interested eyes that made me believe he cared. This makes me feel like a fool. Damián, the omega, deceived me twice."
Far from the police developments, the Phillips discovery. The news reached Jared and Oliver Phillips, who were stunned. Mr. Jared Phillips, with wide eyes and a trembling voice, exclaimed, "How dare that omega try to destroy our family? He stole the happiness of our Clarice and, driven by ambition, tried to kill my daughter! I will never forgive him."
---
Shock in the Campbell Family!
Mallet and Sarah Campbell were incredulous upon hearing the news. "Aster tried to kill Clarice?" exclaimed Mallet, his face pale with shock. "This is unimaginable. It all started with the Kadman family's espionage and culminated in a sinister plan against our family."
Callum was devastated, his voice breaking. "Could Aster do something so horrible? This is a deep betrayal. He can never be forgiven for this."
Like Adam, he could only send top-notch lawyers, but if this became public, it would be an unprecedented media spectacle in the ABO world. A criminal, social, and moral scandal of great magnitude that would certainly not be forgotten and would go down in history.
---
At the Kadman Mansion, Gunnar May was talking to his mother, away from Taylor's ears. Upon learning of the events, both were furious and incredulous. "Damián is a monster," growled Gunnar, his eyes shining with anger. "He not only tried to kill my sister but also orchestrated a macabre plan, with no limits to his ambition. This is unforgivable."
He continued with a tone of malicious satisfaction: "Finally, he will get what he deserves. With these accusations, Damián will be disqualified from being with Adam. Nothing can save him now. The Kadmans will not forgive him."
In his private office, Malcolm Kadman, upon learning of Damián's suspected involvement in espionage against his own family, murders, and other crimes, felt a mix of betrayal and anger. "He seemed so loyal, so dedicated. And now this?" He shook his head in disbelief. "There is no forgiveness for this. He betrayed not only our trust but our entire family. Who knows how many secrets might have been stolen."
But for Elizabeth, who was an alpha and had always opposed with genuine authenticity, omegas were never birds of prey with the fascinating beauty and arrogance of a falcon. To her, omegas were prisoners of circumstances.
Elizabeth turned to her husband: "Such a unique, sensitive, and sometimes almost flammable child. However, I recognize good eyes when I see them. I like that child, and I believe this is nothing but an unpleasant and unforgivable misunderstanding."
Unconsciously, Malcolm took Elizabeth's hands. He didn't want her to be disappointed. However, Elizabeth's face shone with a free light, certain of what she was saying.
Late into the night at the station, the agents were in the forensic analysis room, surrounded by monitors displaying footage from an energy drink commercial starring Nathan Caller. PLAY was pressed, and the video started. The atmosphere in the room was one of intense curiosity and perplexity as they watched the uncut video of the shoot, showcasing the exceptional skills of stunt doubles Aster and Damián in action.
A helicopter dropped Aster at the top of an imposing, snow-covered mountain, where he prepared to begin his descent. His determined expression reflected the concentration needed for the challenges ahead. After a brief communication through his earpiece, Aster began his descent.
He glided down the steep, snow-covered slope, navigating dangerous terrain. Spectacular jumps over ravines and ice-covered rocks highlighted his agility and bravery. Every move was executed with athletic precision as he maneuvered through the winding curves of the mountain.
At a crucial moment, Aster dove audaciously into an ice cave. Fragile stalactites began to break with the passage of his agile body, creating a scene of tension and adrenaline. He had to adapt quickly, sometimes crawling on the ground to pass through narrow openings where the ceiling dangerously lowered.
To avoid imminent dangers within the cave, Aster performed a daring maneuver. Jumping from an ice platform, he launched himself toward an opening in the rock, capturing the moment in slow motion to reveal the audacity of his skills.
Emerging from the cave in a spectacular leap, Aster met Damián. The two clashed their ski poles in a gesture of professional synchronization, symbolizing not only technical skill but also a deep understanding of teamwork. Each continued the descent with their characteristic style, demonstrating mastery and grace.
After completing the challenging descent, Aster and Damián joined Ryan Byrne, the commercial's director, in front of a recording screen. The three were engrossed in evaluating the work done. Ryan Byrne, with precise hand gestures, offered feedback and discussed technical details of the scene, while Aster and Damián listened attentively, absorbing the experienced director's guidance.
The silence in the analysis room was total, reflecting the intensity and visual impact of the discovery.