"I’ve worked at Global Pri Logistics longer— even longer than the current CEO — so I knew how to make it happen. I did it, detective. All of it... it’s on ."
Atlas clasped his hands into tight fists, watching the interrogation from the observation room. He observed as the detective took a mont to process this recorded confession.
"I see," the detective nodded, showing understanding. "And about the suicide attempt?"
"It was part of the plan," Sven replied without hesitation. "Since the charity incident, my father has been venting his anger on whenever I’m ho. So, I knew it would be the sa that day."
"And how did you ti it?"
"The rope was already prepared, so when I heard him, all I had to do was lock it around my neck."
"Weren’t you afraid it could’ve killed you?"
Sven snorted. "But it didn’t."
Another wave of silence fell, not only in the interrogation room but also among those listening in the observation room. Despite already knowing what Sven had done, hearing the details still sent a chill down their spines. The lack of remorse in Sven’s tone only made his actions seem more disturbing.
"When you stole the company data... who were you planning to sell it to?" the detective pressed, determined to gather all the information they could.
Sven shrugged. "I wasn’t sure yet, but I’m sure people would want it if I put it out there."
"What motivated you to do it?"
"I hate Atlas. I wanted him to fail... even if it ant taking down the company with him."
"Didn’t you consider that the company is also yours?"
"Mine? Haha. Detective, you have no idea how the Bennet family operates. Besides, if everyone ended up hating Atlas because he ruined the company, isn’t that good?" Sven smirked, turning his head toward the mirror, aware that Atlas was watching. "Atlas, now you see that I’m not as stupid as you think, huh?"
The detectives in the room exchanged glances before those in the observation room looked at Atlas. Atlas didn’t budge, keeping his icy gaze fixed on Sven. His fists, however, trembled as he clasped them tightly.
---
The detectives asked Sven a few more questions, which he bluntly answered. With his confession, the officers had sufficient grounds to detain him. Sven’s lawyer agreed, though everyone assud it was his lawyer’s advice to confess in hopes of a lighter sentence.
In this case, a "lighter" sentence ant avoiding capital punishnt. Given the accumulating charges, Sven would still likely spend the rest of his life in prison.
"Where’s my son?" Stephen demanded, looking around the station frantically. "Where is he? I was told he was brought here!"
The officers around him hesitated, as if deciding whether to give him any attention. After all, the city’s central police station was constantly bustling, and distraught people like Stephen were a common sight.
"Where’s my—" Stephen’s voice caught when he saw a few officers escorting a handcuffed Sven. "Wait, wait, wait!"
Stephen rushed over, darting his gaze between the officers and Sven. "Where are you taking him?"
"He’s going to be detained while waiting for his trial," one officer replied. "Sir, please step aside—"
"Wait! Trial? I sent him a lawyer. He should be out on bail, right?" Stephen’s face went ashen as he looked at his son. "Sven, didn’t the lawyer show up?"
Sven snorted. "You sent him?" He tilted his head in the lawyer’s direction. "Thanks, Dad, but no thanks. I’ve already confessed to everything I’ve done."
"What?"
"You always say I’m not man enough, right?" Sven sneered. "Well, I’m manning up."
Stephen’s heart sank as he saw the twisted grin on his son’s face. The officers then led Sven away, gently pushing Stephen aside. He remained frozen in place, stunned.
Gradually, Stephen raised his gaze and saw Atlas walking by with a detective and a lawyer.
"No," Stephen whispered, running toward Atlas. But as officers moved to block him, Stephen fell to his knees. "Atlas, please don’t do this to your cousin! He’s your family — do you really think he would do that?"
Atlas looked down at his uncle, noting bruises on Stephen’s neck as if he’d been harshly struck. However, this was more than just a personal matter Atlas could overlook. He had already let many things slide, but this wasn’t, and wouldn’t be, one of them.
"Uncle, are you saying I should just let soone like that get away with what he’s done? Are you saying that just because he’s my cousin and has years with the company, I should let him walk free?" Atlas shot back, using Stephen’s own words from the board eting when Stephen had tried to turn the board against Atlas’s leadership.
Hearing his own words echoed back to him made Stephen’s heart stop for a mont. He had spoken those words in the boardroom, hoping to cast doubt on Atlas’s decision not to press charges.
Who would have thought those exact words would co back to haunt him so soon?
"If I don’t set an example now, then many more like him will think they can do this," Atlas added quietly, his eyes unwavering as he t Stephen’s gaze. "You were right, Uncle. I should set an example because this isn’t just about stealing data. It also involved attempted murder, which could’ve easily turned into murder if he hadn’t been stopped."
Atlas lowered his head slightly. "I’m sorry, but there’s nothing else I can do for Sven. He has to face the consequences." With that, Atlas turned to the detective and his lawyer, giving a slight nod as a farewell.
Without another word, Atlas began to walk away. But after only a few steps, Stephen suddenly clung to his leg.
"Atlas, please don’t do this to your cousin," Stephen pleaded, shaking his head. "He won’t survive a day in prison. Have rcy on him. Atlas, this is your cousin you’re talking about."
Atlas looked down, his icy gaze unwavering. "If you think he won’t survive in prison, then you’d better start preparing his funeral, because I’m not changing my mind."
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