THE HEIRESS VOW - Chapter 84

Chapter 84: Unveiling Hidden Motives
The fluorescent lights buzzed softly, casting a sterile glow over the secure interrogation facility. The team stood around a table, their expressions a mix of determination and weariness. Ava, standing at the head of the table, took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision she had to make.

“We need answers,” she began, her voice firm but tinged with uncertainty. “But we can’t compromise our principles.”

Lucas, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, nodded. “Agreed. But time is not on our side. We need to extract information quickly.”

The door opened, and a new team member stepped in. Tall and imposing, with a mysterious air about him, he surveyed the room with a calculating gaze. This was Marcus, an expert interrogator with a past shrouded in secrecy.

Ava met his eyes. “Marcus, I trust you know the boundaries.”

He gave a slight nod. “Of course. We’ll get what we need without crossing any lines.”

The captured infiltrators were brought in, their hands bound. They looked defiant, but there was a flicker of fear in their eyes as they took in the room and the people surrounding them.

Ava stepped forward, addressing one of the infiltrators directly. “We know you’re part of the Phantom’s plan. We need information, and we need it now.”

The infiltrator, a young man with a scar running down his cheek, smirked. “And why would I tell you anything?”

Marcus approached him, his presence intimidating. “Because your life depends on it. You cooperate, and we might be able to protect you.”

The young man’s smirk faded, replaced by a look of consideration. “Protection, huh? From the Phantom? That’s a tall order.”

Ava leaned in, her tone serious. “We have resources. We can help you, but only if you help us first.”

After a moment of silence, the infiltrator sighed. “Alright. I’ll trade information for protection.”

Lucas stepped forward, his skepticism evident. “How do we know we can trust you?”

The infiltrator’s eyes darted around the room before settling back on Ava. “You don’t. But what choice do you have?”

Ava exchanged a glance with Marcus, then nodded. “Fine. We’ll play this your way. Start talking.”

The young man took a deep breath. “There’s a planned attack on a major city. It’s set to happen in three days.”

The room fell silent, the gravity of the revelation sinking in. Ava’s mind raced with the implications.

“Where?” she demanded.

“I don’t know the exact location,” the infiltrator admitted. “But I overheard something about the city’s central district. A big event is happening there.”

Marcus frowned. “We’ll need more than that.”

The infiltrator looked at him, then back at Ava. “I’ll tell you what I know. But you have to promise me protection.”

Ava nodded slowly. “You have our word.”

As the interrogation continued, Ava felt a growing unease. The tension between extracting the needed information and maintaining their ethical boundaries was palpable. She glanced at Marcus, wondering just how far he was willing to go.

Suddenly, the infiltrator’s demeanor changed. He lunged forward, attempting to break free from his restraints. The room erupted into chaos as the team sprang into action, trying to subdue him.

Marcus moved with precision, pinning the infiltrator to the ground. “Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” he growled.

Ava’s heart pounded as she watched the struggle. This wasn’t just about information anymore—it was about control, trust, and the fragile balance they had to maintain.

Once the infiltrator was secured, Ava approached him again. “Why did you try to escape?”

His eyes burned with defiance. “Because I know you can’t protect me. The Phantom will find me, no matter what.”

Lucas stepped forward, his expression serious. “Then help us stop him. Tell us everything you know.”

The infiltrator hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. There’s one more thing… There’s a traitor among your allies.”

Ava felt a chill run down her spine. “Who?”

“I don’t know the name. But I know they’re close to you. They feed the Phantom information.”

The revelation hung in the air, casting a shadow over the team. Ava glanced at Marcus, who looked unusually tense.

“We need to verify this information,” Ava said, her voice steady. “And we need to act fast.”

Marcus nodded. “I’ll handle it. But we need to be careful. If there’s a traitor, we can’t trust anyone completely.”

The team regrouped, the weight of the new information pressing down on them. They had to thwart the attack and uncover the traitor in their midst. It was a delicate balance, and Ava knew that one wrong move could spell disaster.

As they prepared to leave, Marcus pulled Ava aside. “There’s something you should know,” he said quietly. “I have a personal vendetta against the Phantom.”

Ava raised an eyebrow. “Why didn’t you tell us this before?”

Marcus’s expression was hard. “Because I didn’t want it to cloud my judgment. But now, with this new information, it’s personal. I have to see this through.”

Ava studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. But keep your emotions in check. We need clear heads to get through this.”

As they moved out, the sense of urgency was palpable. They had a mission to complete, and the stakes had never been higher.

The chase to recapture the infiltrator was intense. He had managed to slip away during the chaos, and the team had to act quickly to track him down. Ava’s heart raced as they navigated the city’s dark alleys, the weight of their mission heavy on her shoulders.

Finally, they cornered him in an abandoned warehouse. The tension was thick as they faced off, the infiltrator’s eyes wild with desperation.

“You’re not getting away,” Ava said firmly. “We need your information, and we need it now.”

The infiltrator looked around, realizing he had no escape. He sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “Alright. I’ll tell you everything.”

As the team secured the warehouse, Ava felt a mix of relief and determination. They were one step closer to stopping the Phantom, but the path ahead was fraught with danger.

The interrogation resumed, and this time, the infiltrator provided more detailed information. They learned about the planned attack’s specifics and the traitor’s role in their organization. The revelations were shocking, but they gave the team the edge they needed.

As they prepared to thwart the attack, Ava couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. The complexities of leadership and the moral implications of their actions weighed heavily on her. But she knew they had no choice. They had to act, and they had to act now.