Having enemies in the world of business was nothing new. It was normal to have rivalries, enemies, and a whole host of disagreents. Although Atlas had his own professional disputes, Allen was certain no one had reached the point of wanting to have Atlas killed.
After all, Atlas was a smart man. Even if he was disliked, he knew how to play his cards well. Most of the disagreents he had with others were professional differences and handled respectfully. Therefore, Allen could only assu that either Sven had hired people to help him if things went wrong, or soone else was helping him.
Considering Sven’s personality and capacity, it was definitely the latter.
"Focus on recovering first," Atlas said after a long silence, his only response to Allen’s inquiry. "I’ve been doing your work while you’ve been here sleeping. I badly needed a hand."
Allen offered his boss a smile, watching him stand up. He didn’t pry further because Atlas’s silence ant he shouldn’t ask any more questions. After all, Atlas would tell Allen everything if he wanted to. If not, Allen had to respect his boss’s decision.
"Yes, sir." Allen nodded. "Thank you again for everything. I’ll recover and return to the office as soon as I can."
Atlas nodded. "Alright."
"Sir," Allen called as Atlas turned his back, waiting for him to look back. A short smile turned up on Allen’s face. "Please take care on your way out."
Atlas nodded in understanding. Without saying another word, he resud walking and left. As soon as he stepped out, his eyes landed on Allen’s girlfriend seated on the bench. He tilted his head slightly as she rose and smiled back at him subtly.
With that, Atlas strode off. But as soon as his back was turned on Allen’s girlfriend, his eyes narrowed and sharpened. Once he was outside the sliding doors of the VVIP ward, he fished his phone from his pocket and called soone.
"Check out the security guard nad..." he ordered sternly. "... I want to see him in my office as soon as possible."
"I’ll check this employee right away, sir."
With that, Atlas ended the call and headed straight for the parking lot. However, just as he reached the lobby, his phone rang again. When he answered, it was the sa voice from the CEO’s departnt at Global Pri Logistics.
"Sir, about the security guard you were asking about... he already resigned."
Atlas stopped dead in his tracks. "He resigned? When?"
"Over a week ago, sir."
"Tell the exact date he handed over his resignation," Atlas ordered, and the person on the other end provided it. ’That was the day after the incident.’
"Is there sothing you need from him, sir?"
Atlas didn’t answer imdiately, only resuming his steps before replying. "Yes. What is the reason for his resignation?"
"He said he’s planning an early retirent. His health had been declining, according to his resignation. He wanted to focus on getting better."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, sir."
"Did he ntion which hospital he’s going to?"
"No, sir, but I can ask around."
"Do that, and if you can find his ho address, I’d appreciate that."
"Yes, sir."
After that, Atlas quickly ended the call and reached his car. He got in, brow furrowed. Atlas knew the security guard Allen ntioned. Although he didn’t know every single person at the company, he was familiar with those who had been around for a long ti. This particular guard, for example, had worked there for two decades. Charles would even talk to him from ti to ti, telling Atlas about the bodyguard during his internship at the company. Therefore, Atlas knew him.
"And I also know... his statent didn’t ntion seeing Sven that night," Atlas murmured, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "This doesn’t seem right."
Just like the owner of the dashcam, who suddenly moved out the day after Atlas got the footage, the situation with the security guard felt too coincidental. Especially considering that Charles trusted this old security guard.
Honk! Honk!
Atlas snapped out of his thoughts when he heard loud honking behind him. Glancing in the rearview mirror, all he saw was a car behind him.
"Did he think this is a free highway to use his horn like that?" Atlas muttered, shaking his head before preparing to drive away from the hospital.
---
[State Prison]
The loud beep of the gates echoed in Atlas’s ears as he watched the officer escort Sven into the visitation room. Sven, cuffed and wearing the uniform Atlas had always imagined he would wear if he didn’t change his ways, took a seat across from him.
"Tch." Sven hissed when their eyes t, grumpily sitting down. The officer locked his handcuffs on the table before walking away. "It’s fine, it’s fine! It’s not like I’ve been sentenced already!"
The officer glanced at him but didn’t respond.
"Tch." Sven clicked his tongue in irritation, watching the officer walk to the corner. "Tss. I haven’t been sentenced, but I’m already being treated like a felon. I shouldn’t be here in the first place."
His eyes glinted as he sneered at Atlas. "This is your doing, isn’t it?"
"Believe or not, I have no idea why you were transferred here while having an ongoing case," Atlas shrugged. "However, I do think you’re in the right place."
"This bastard..." Sven scowled, realizing he should have refused Atlas’s request to see him. But even if he wanted to, the officer had dragged him here.
Sven scoffed, leaning his arm on the table, glaring at Atlas without a shred of remorse. "What do you want? Did you co here to mock ? To see if I’m miserable enough? Hah! Atlas Bennet, even if you—"
"Allen woke up," Atlas interrupted, stopping Sven in his tracks. "He woke up and is currently giving his statent to the police. That’s why I said what I said before—now that he’s awake, you’re looking at at least a decade in here."
"What?" Sven’s face twisted. "He’s awake?"
Atlas nodded. "That’s right, Sven. Allen, the person you tried to kill twice, regained consciousness. He’s alive."
"..." Sven lowered his eyes, clasping his hands together to stop them from shaking.
Atlas studied Sven’s reaction carefully. He didn’t want to tell him that Allen was awake, but he wanted to see how Sven would react before getting to the main point.
"But I ca here for an entirely different reason," Atlas continued, watching Sven look up at him. "I have an offer for you, Sven. It might not be what you think, but I don’t think it’s bad."
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