After identifying the traitor within 'The Crimson Brothers' group, Arjun wasted no time in contacting their leader to deliver the unsettling news.
"I regret to inform you that we may need to halt our ongoing dealings," he began, the gravity of his words evident in his tone.
Perplexed, the leader inquired about the reason behind the sudden change of plans, prompting Arjun to reveal the reason behind the cancellation of the deal.
"There's a mole in your organization," Arjun explained, his voice tinged with frustration.
"This individual has compromised our operations by divulging sensitive information to 'The Special Forces,' jeopardizing not only my business but also endangering yours. Consider the recent setbacks you've encountered – they're not mere coincidences but rather the work of a betrayer among you."
Arjun emphasized the necessity for introspection within 'The Crimson Brothers,' urging them to root out the traitor before any further damage could be done.
"Until this matter is resolved and the traitor apprehended, I cannot proceed with any trade or collaboration," he asserted firmly.
Before the leader could respond, a sudden disruption interrupted their conversation – the sound of shattering glass as a sniper's bullet pierced through a nearby flower vase.
With a grim sense of finality, Arjun issued a warning, "If it turns out that you were aware of the traitor's presence from the outset, consequences will be dire."
With that ominous declaration, the call abruptly ended, leaving the leader to contemplate the gravity of the situation.
Amidst the sudden commotion caused by the bullet's echo, the members of the group hurriedly converged outside their boss's office, expecting a dire situation.
However, upon entering, they were met with an unexpected sight – their boss, sitting at his desk, chuckling heartily.
Perplexed by his unusual behavior, one of them mustered the courage to inquire about the source of the noise and their boss's amusement.
"What's going on, boss? Why were you laughing?" the question echoed through the room, prompting their leader to compose himself before responding.
With a mischievous glint in his eye, he began to unravel the curious tale behind the laughter.
"How many of you have my phone number?" he queried, prompting a hesitant show of hands from only a handful of individuals.
"You see," he continued, gesturing to the limited response, "only a select few among us possess my contact details. Yet, despite our precautions, 'Athene' managed to reach out to me directly."
As murmurs of astonishment rippled through the group, their boss recounted the surreal encounter – a warning delivered via text message, followed by the abrupt termination of their deal.
The sheer audacity of 'Athene's' actions left them all dumbfounded, contemplating the depths of their adversary's cunning and resourcefulness.
As the implications of their boss's words began to sink in, a sense of unease washed over the group, evident in the furrowed brows and exchanged glances.
Some members, struggling to grasp the gravity of the situation, voiced their confusion, prompting one individual to seek clarification.
"Boss, what does this mean?" the question hung in the air, echoing the uncertainty that gripped the room. Recognizing the need for clarity, another member, his tone tinged with apprehension, stepped forward to offer an interpretation.
"It means," he began solemnly, "The 'Athene' guy isn't just any normal individual. He possesses great potential, and after witnessing the outcomes of the previous two situations, it would be wise not to provoke him. Otherwise, we could face significant losses."
His words hung heavy in the air, casting a pall of apprehension over the group as they contemplated the daunting prospect of facing such a formidable opponent.
As the weight of the situation settled upon them, one member, mustered the courage to address their boss directly. "Boss, what's the reason behind all of this?" he inquired, his voice tinged with a mixture of concern and confusion.
However, instead of offering an explanation, the boss strode purposefully towards a longstanding member of the group, his expression a mask of steely resolve.
"You've been with us from the beginning, haven't you?" the boss's voice was firm, cutting through the silence like a blade. The targeted individual, caught off guard by the sudden accusation, nodded in affirmation.
"Yes, boss," came the hesitant response.
Without warning, the boss's hand shot out like lightning, seizing the traitor by the throat and lifting him effortlessly into the air. His grip was vice-like, conveying a silent warning of the consequences of betrayal.
"How could you betray us?" his voice was a low growl, laden with disappointment and simmering anger.
As the gravity of the situation sank in, murmurs of confusion rippled through the room. One member dared to speak up, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Boss, why would Steven betray us?" he questioned, his words reflecting the collective bewilderment echoing in the minds of the group.
The boss, however, remained resolute, his gaze fixed firmly on the accused. "It's better if Steven provides the answer to that question himself," he declared with unwavering authority.
"Call Chris and instruct him to interrogate Steven," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument.
With a forceful gesture, the boss released his grip on Steven, sending him crashing to the ground. In an instant, other members surged forward, restraining Steven with firm hands as he struggled to regain his breath, his body wracked with coughs from the boss's tight grasp.
As they whisked Steven away to another room for interrogation, a flurry of questions and concerns erupted among those left behind. Sensing the tension, several individuals approached the boss, their faces etched with curiosity and apprehension.
"Boss, how did you come to know that Steven is the traitor?" one of them inquired, his voice betraying a mix of astonishment and disbelief.
In response, the boss revealed that it was 'Athene' who had provided him with the damning information. Another member chimed in, voicing the doubts that lingered in many minds. "But boss, how can we trust this 'Athene'?" he questioned, skepticism evident in his tone.
With a decisive gesture, the boss shown them a photograph, revealing Steven engaged in conversation with an officer from 'The Special Forces' group.
The revelation sent shockwaves through the room, confirming the depth of Steven's betrayal and leaving no doubt in the minds of those gathered.
The boss nodded thoughtfully at the acknowledgment of Athene's prowess in technology and data gathering. "It seems this Athene possesses remarkable skills in the realm of computers," he mused aloud.
Another member of the group chimed in, affirming the extent of Athene's reputation. "Indeed, boss. I've heard of his achievements in gathering data. Some groups even seek his services to obtain information, albeit at a cost," he added.
After a while, they entered the room where Chris was interrogating Steven. Chris had treated Steven very harshly; he had broken one of his eyes, and seeing the blood coming from his mouth, it seemed that Chris had even broken some of Steven's teeth.
He also cut him with small knives on his hands, face, and body to compel him to tell the truth.
The boss surveyed the scene with a mixture of anger and disappointment, taking in the sight of Steven's battered and bloodied form. "What did he say exactly?" the boss inquired, his voice tight with restrained fury.
Chris, his face contorted with a mixture of triumph and disgust, relayed the confession. "He admitted that he was the one who leaked the information about our trading methods," Chris reported, his tone dripping with disdain for the traitorous member.
The boss's jaw clenched at the confirmation of Steven's betrayal, his fists tightening at his sides as he struggled to contain his rage.
With a curt nod, he signaled for Chris to continue the interrogation, determined to extract every last detail of Steven's treachery before meting out justice.