Seventeen - Hand in Hand

MONTE CARLO, MONACO

"Though Viktor Samira was flown to safety, the hostage crisis inside Imperium is not over. Almost a hundred hostages were held captive inside by armed men. Until now, no negotiations were made. Our informants also told us that the famous Doctor Hector Exconde, who spearheaded the research on viral diseases that spread across Europe is also inside the building. He was supposed to have a meeting with Viktor Samira when the intrusion happened."

The secretary-general of the High Council walked inside the great hall after hearing that news. The council has asked for an immediate meeting after grasping the details of Viktor's attacks. He bent down to Iñigo who is currently presiding over the meeting.

The High Council consists of two levels of members. First is the inner circle where the founding families of the Underground Society or the High Order were seated. Second is the outer circle where families like Hector's belongs. This time, each family has no prospects to become the Prime leader. Viktor and Iñigo already abdicated the chances, but they were forced to rule over the organization as the remaining elders. Iñigo's seat received all the spotlight. With Viktor on defense, he is the only one left with all powers.

"I think it's time that we summon one remaining elder!" The Hawthorne's representative spoke.

"Alessandro?" Sonia Astor, Selena's daughter, reluctantly asked.

"Yes! The Drax house needs to be put in its rightful place! This hostility needs to stop." Magnus De Lutherbergh added. "They are mere dust in our hands and we are here, afraid to stand against them!"

Iñigo Constantine dropped a concerned look to Dominic Brown. Dominic was humiliated for attending an exclusive inner circle meeting but the Samira house was occupied and fortunately, Iñigo tolerated his presence given their allegiance. He was tempted to voice his opinion but immediately receded his thoughts. Afraid of further humiliation.

"Forgive me for being bold, my Lord. Is this maximum tolerance on the House Drax because Renard's son is also a Drax? We can't be denying the truth that's been laying around." Magnus bravely questioned an elder. The rest of the council were shocked but relieved of his forthcoming.

Tension further developed inside the hall as the Bank Baron takes the strong opinion of a young council member. Dominic emptied his glass of water and watched the horrified members. The silence was deafening. Finally, Iñigo nodded in acknowledgment.

"Good question actually," Iñigo put his reading glasses on the table. "We've been keeping our eyes to that insolent house for quite some time now. With respect to Alexander, we have been tolerant of their behavior but even I have a limit. This should be discussed with Viktor around but given the circumstances, I'm forced to disclose this as early as today. We will remove the House Drax out of the High Order."

"Remove, permanently?" Magnus asked.

"Depends on the extent of the theatrics they've been showing." Iñigo responded calmly. "To cripple their stronghold, the Constantine bank will withdraw the Morningstar Corporation out of the Drax Industries but will keep its connections to the Alderige. We will no longer fund them."

"The Drax will be decimated by that decision, my lord." Sonia reacted.

"And that's what they get for going against the council," Magnus replied.

"But according to the decree, they are to be asked for a trial. That's their right! And rumor has it that the Drax elder is still alive, right?"

"Oh, come on! We don't have time to wait for a ghost to appear somewhere else. A decision has to be made!" Magnus strengthened his arguments.

Iñigo's place was difficult. If he abstained from such decisions, his seat will be challenged. They have the most powerful position in the organization. Not the ruling leader but all decisions must be addressed to them before the council convenes. Even the organization's vicious assassins answer to them, and only to them.

The young lady Astor was right. Drax family still has its elder so if they were to be banned, they need to be prosecuted first. Unless the ruling elder of the family shows no interest in defending his house. Then ruling them out will be easier given Hector's questionable legitimacy and Luthor's weak council support.

The secretary-general once again rushed to Iñigo's side. Losing his breath. Iñigo was kind enough to let the young man settle for a few minutes. "Sir, the attack on Imperium was plotted by the Drax. Exconde was allegedly vacated to safety as we speak."

"Allegedly?" Iñigo shook his head. "Contact Viktor's camp. We need his statements on this if we are to press charges against the Drax."

***

SINISTER PALACE/ CHATEAU DE LA MERCEDES

Blood marked the carpeted floor of the library. A painful scream echoed on its soundproof walls. Agonizing punches and pitiful noises. The man on the ground did not crack. A secret he swore he will bring to his grave, and it's near. His captives were rounding upon him. One by one, he received all the powerful blows of their fists. The last one signaled everybody to relax. They needed the information before he dies. He was dragged by the hair to the office table.

"Careful, gentlemen. We don't want to give our special guest a very wrong impression on us." Luthor playfully reprimanded his people. He smiled at the bleeding man in front of him. Flinching at the thought of his Persian carpet fully tainted with blood. "Let's start over, shall we?"

One of the captors held the man's neck tightly. Fiercely turning his attention to Luthor who is losing every bit of patience he prepared for this interrogation.

The injured man rudely spits at the table. Luthor was not entirely impressed by the gestures but remained calm. Once again, he flashed his generic smile.

"You were accused of the murder of Vincent Alderige, weren't you? It's interesting how you managed to survive those lawsuits from the Alderige, unless, your owner made some miracle on your case. A very powerful owner to be precise." Luthor's smile becomes a smirk. "Does your owner comes with a title?"

"Go to hell." The only words from the breathless man. Loyalty unquestioned.

"Impressive! Conveniently for you, there's no record of your immediate family where you live. You never had a serious relationship. Interesting."

No comments were received by Luthor. Only emotionless stare. The torture was only to convince the man that Luthor had no evidence of any kind. A pile of bank documents was laid on the table. Every bank transaction of the man for the last three decades.

"You should give yourself credit, actually. We've been watching the entire duration of your boring life," Luthor handed him a particular document in which he hesitantly accepted. "From what we have gathered, you once worked as a medical aid for a certain airline. After you were cleared with the murder case, you decided to lie low. Living peacefully in Atlanta. The question here is, how did you manage to support yourself with such splendor when you don't have a retirement plan nor benefits because after you were charged with murder, the airline fired you. No separation pay. Nothing. Yet, you live in a nice villa, afford a certain lifestyle and some women. Clearly, God is playing favorites."

A flicker of emotion ran across the man's eyes. All sudden but Luthor saw it. The wall is still standing but there's already a crack.

"We've checked your bank records, apologies for that. Your account magically replenishes every month. We tracked the source and an unknown person sends you a huge amount of money from overseas," Luthor stopped, looked at the man in the eyes. "Copenhagen, Denmark. A European trust fund sounds legit."