GCT 5

From the early morning ring of the phone, Yohan woke up with a furrowed brow. Usually, calls at this hour brought bad news, so his nerves instantly sharpened as he stared at the phone screen.

Restricted Caller

Even with the caller ID restricted, he had a hunch about who it was. Only one person would call him at this time. Yohan, still frowning, stared intently at the phone screen, contemplating whether to throw the device away. Just then, the call abruptly stopped, and a text message arrived.

Restricted Caller

I know you’re awake.

I’ll call again, so pick up.

Yohan made a dumbfounded expression. He glanced around the room for no reason, half-suspecting that the creepy guy might have secretly installed a camera somewhere in his house.

‘Damn it, I should’ve cleaned up a bit.’

As he thought about how many places in his small house could hide a camera, the phone rang again. Knowing he had no way to avoid Lear at this point, Yohan sighed and spoke.

“Liz, do you know what time it is?”

— Even if you’re undercover, isn’t that a bit too lazy?

“It’s five in the morning, you lunatic. Are you high too? This is the time when people coming down from their high are roaming around.”

— Pretty mouths should only say pretty words, Kitty.

“Even if it’s urgent, don’t reuse syringes, got it? That’s a one-way ticket to the grave.”

— I’m tearing up from your concern.

Defeated once again in a verbal spar with Lear, Yohan let out a deep sigh. Lear burst into laughter and asked Yohan.

— By the way, I heard soldiers usually wake up at this hour. Is that not true?

Yohan’s irritation surged at the thought of this guy, who never even went to the military, spouting half-baked Wikipedia knowledge.

“Am I a soldier? And waking up at five is only for training days.”

— Weren’t you super proud of being a Ranger? You even displayed your medals on your FBI desk. I thought you lived every day like it’s a war zone, especially since that place has that kind of vibe.

Yohan felt a chill at Lear’s words and jumped up from his seat, shouting involuntarily. It was as if sleep had been completely driven away.

“That’s…! Wait, how do you know that? You know impersonating a federal agent is a serious crime, right?”

— Why would I bother with something so tedious?

“Then?”

— Your colleague Patton told me.

Yohan was flabbergasted that Aisha, an FBI agent, was so loose-lipped. He wondered if maybe, after he had her dig into Lear’s background last time, she had grown fond of him.

“Sigh… Liz, you must know I don’t share my colleagues or bed partners, right?”

— I love the jealousy, Kitty, but I’m not some small fry who needs to sleep with someone to get trivial info like that.

“…Fine, you win. Really.”

— Feels good to be acknowledged.

“You’re making this kind of noise from the crack of dawn.”

— Stop pouting and get dressed. Come outside.

Before Lear finished speaking, the sound of a car stopping outside was heard. Yohan leapt out of bed, rushed to the window, and looked down. Sure enough, there was Lear, lowering the car window and waving.

“You lunatic.”

Yohan thought maybe Lear, not him, should be the special agent, as he turned off his phone.

“This guy is exhausting from start to finish.”

Muttering to himself, Yohan, despite his annoyed demeanor, went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and changed clothes. Finally, he grabbed the gun he always kept on the dresser, tucked it roughly into the waistband of his pants, and threw on a Hawaiian shirt. Worried it might be cold at dawn, he considered layering up but decided he’d regret it once the sun came up. Crossing his arms, he hurriedly went outside and approached Lear’s car.

“I waited for you.”

“Hey, don’t you have any manners?”

As soon as Yohan got into the car, he spoke to Lear in a voice dripping with all the irritation in the world. He knew the guy was crazy, but he hadn’t realized until today that he was crazy enough to wake someone up at dawn.

“Kitty, I don’t think you’re one to talk about manners.”

“What?”

Lear looked at Yohan’s mint-green Hawaiian shirt with a flashy banana pattern, asking curiously.

“Where do you even buy such… loud clothes?”

“Walmart.”

“…”

“Oh, sometimes at gas stations. Want a recommendation?”

A brief silence followed. Lear’s lips twitched before he spoke with a rather serious expression about Yohan’s shopping spots.

“…How should I put it? Sometimes I stop by a gas station and wonder who buys clothes there for them to stock such things… Kitty, it was you.”

“You’ve never contributed a dime to my wardrobe, and besides, I wear this stuff a lot, you know?”

“Want me to chip in? I’ve got plenty of money. FBI agents usually wear suits, right? How about I get you a few custom-made ones?”

“You bastard, who do you think you’re calling a beggar?”

“I offer to help, and you throw a fit. Pick one, Kitty.”

Lear said with a baffled expression. Annoyed by his reaction, Yohan crossed his arms, leaned back in the seat, and spoke.

“Don’t meddle in other people’s fashion. The only one who can critique my style is Tan France.”

“Don’t say that, Kitty. I almost called the Queer Eye producer. You know I’ve got connections there, right?”

“You’re not kidnapping me like this?”

“Oh, that’s an idea! Thanks to you, I’m always learning something new. Thanks.”

“You’re really making me want to curse from the crack of dawn.”

Yohan, already irritated from lack of sleep, didn’t want to continue this conversation after having his high school fashion sense criticized. He clamped his mouth shut and furrowed his brow. Then Lear cheekily reached out and started fiddling with Yohan’s thigh in a suggestive way.

“By the way, Kitty! It’s not just firm—it’s rock solid.”

“Hands.”

“What kind of workout do you do?”

“Off.”

Lear suddenly gripped Yohan’s thigh tightly, as if he might crush it. When Yohan glared at him, Lear reluctantly let go, saying with a hint of regret.

“I was genuinely curious about your workout routine. Why can’t I say anything?”

“You know when alpha jerks say stuff like that, it feels like mockery?”

At Yohan’s words, Lear pouted, trying to act cute, and said.

“Mockery? Other jerks might, but I’ve always been sincere with you.”

“Can you shut up before I rip that mouth off?”

“A passionate morning kiss? I’m touched. Really.”

“Let’s just stop talking.”

Lear grinned and offered his cheek instead of his lips.

“You woke me up at dawn because you wanted to get slapped?”

“Not exactly.”

Looking disappointed but focusing on driving again, Lear continued with a more serious expression.

“There’s a surprise.”

“If you’re planning something shady, can you pull over by that sign that says ‘Gardena’?”

“Kitty, your place might resemble a rundown motel, but morning sex in a place like that is a bit much, don’t you think?”

Yohan cursed his eyes for missing the motel sign because its lights were off. He thought about how to retort but decided to keep it simple.

“Should I pull out my gun?”

“Alright, alright. It was a joke. Relax.”

Lear sighed, as if he couldn’t say anything right.

“So, what’s the surprise? If it shocks me, I might shoot.”

“We’re heading to Inglewood.”

“Inglewood?”

It wasn’t far from here by car.

“I’ve got business with Lucas Franco.”

“Lucas Franco?”

The vaguely familiar Hispanic name rang a bell, but Yohan couldn’t place a face and furrowed his brow.

“The bench chemist who verified the drugs found at your partner’s place.”

No wonder the name sounded familiar. But remembering every bench chemist from the crime lab who verified drugs wasn’t easy. Yohan tilted his head slightly and asked Lear.

“Why a bench chemist?”

“To take down an old fox hiding in the shadows, it’s better to start from the bottom.”

“Your genius hacking skills don’t know something?”

“For your information, the guy called Shadow is someone very close to my father, probably old enough not to know what TikTok is.”

Yohan didn’t know what TikTok was either but kept his mouth shut, sensing Lear would tease him relentlessly if he said anything.

“Not an easy target, which is why I’m making you this offer. And why I’m dragging you to Inglewood like this.”

“Even so, five in the morning is a bit much, don’t you think? Besides, to barge into someone’s house while they’re sleeping and grab them by the collar, you’d need an emergency arrest and a post-facto warrant, which means reporting to the higher-ups first…”

Yohan spoke with a worried tone, but Lear cut him off, sounding exasperated.

“Kitty, even I wouldn’t do something so crude to a sleeping person. Though, seeing you sleep so prettily sometimes makes me want to do things I shouldn’t.”

“Talking like a pervert while acting all high and mighty. Liz, I’m just talking about principles. Plus, I’m in the middle of an undercover op.”

“You always act like a clueless cop at times like this.”

“I told you I’m not a cop.”

“Well, the nickname Kitty is closer to a call boy, and lately, you’ve been so busy with cash deals you’ve forgotten your real job.”

It stung, but Yohan punched Lear’s solid arm with his fist, irritated.

“Are you even listening to me?”

“Yes, yes, of course, Agent.”

You smug bastard. Unable to do anything to Lear while he was driving, Yohan sharply turned his head to stare out the window. Lear, with a slightly more serious tone, spoke to Yohan.

“I want to have you more than I want to trade jokes, Kitty… but I’m not the kind of guy who does pointless things on purpose.”

“You harass me like it’s second nature and then say that? Honestly, I let you off easy. I could slap cuffs on you and drag you away right now, and it wouldn’t be surprising. Got it?”

“I know, I know. By the way, I’m open to handcuff play too.”

“…”

“How about the crime of making you cry in bed?”

When Yohan moved his hand toward his gun, Lear threw up both hands. The car briefly swerved over the center line.

“Hey! Drive properly!”

Yohan, startled, grabbed the wheel and shouted. Lear cheekily placed his hand over Yohan’s, saying.

“I’m fine with loading the magnum in my pants, but I’m scared of guns pointed at me.”

Yohan was annoyed at Lear’s nonsense and fake whimpering. It felt worse because he was probably banking on his good looks. Yohan nervously pulled his hand out from under Lear’s, too fed up to keep talking, and turned to look out the window again. Lear cleared his throat a couple of times and continued where he left off.

“Anyway, what I’m saying is, I didn’t wake you up at five in the morning just to drag you to Inglewood for no reason.”

Yohan, already cranky from waking up early without breakfast, assumed Lear was about to say something draining and replied half-heartedly.

“Oh, did our princess say she’s off to play refined?”

Lear, looking embarrassed by the jab, clicked his tongue and said with a serious face.

“Franco’s more cautious than I thought. I dug through his emails, but nothing good came up, so I figured we need to meet him in person.”

Yohan’s gaze finally returned to Lear.

“Finally interested? Kitty, your hot stare’s giving me a rush.”

“Cut the crap and keep talking.”

“Well… back then, that case wrapped up so sloppily it felt unfair to you, right?”

“Yeah. But there was nothing I could do.”

“Right. This whole thing is tangled like a spiderweb. Figuring out where my father got involved and what his associates did isn’t easy.”

“…”

“Even as great as I am, messing with the FBI agents or coroners who investigated your partner’s case is tricky. The prosecutor in charge is an even more delicate target.”

Yohan sighed at Lear’s words and said.

“So you’re targeting a bench chemist?”

“They test thousands of substances a month, have a big impact on verdicts, but don’t often surface in the spotlight.”

Yohan hadn’t thought of that angle and looked at Lear with a bit of surprise. Lear winked at him.

“What? Falling for me again?”

Yohan sighed deeply instead of answering. Lear, finding Yohan’s reaction amusing, burst into laughter and continued.

“Anyway, I hacked into the chemist’s fancy new car and found he goes to the lab pretty early. His place is a bit far, or maybe he’s up to something else.”

“Really?”

“So I thought a home visit might be a good idea.”

The guy barging into someone’s house at dawn was smiling annoyingly brightly. Despite the madness overflowing in Lear’s eyes, Yohan pretended not to notice and said.

“But I don’t have my ID on me. I left it on my desk. Didn’t Aisha tell you?”

“Should’ve asked her to snap a picture and send it. I feel like if I begged with tears, she’d do anything.”

“Hey, even if Aisha’s weak to a pretty face, she’s still an FBI agent.”

“For someone like that, she hacked the Department of Defense when she was younger.”

“You never lose an argument.”

Lear laughed as if Yohan’s words were just amusing, then suddenly pulled the car over to the side of the road.

“What? Planning to bury me?”

Not a single car was around, and the area was a forest with no buildings in sight. Yohan looked at Lear with suspicious eyes. Lear pretended to wipe away a tear and said.

“That’s harsh, Yohan. We’ve got so much to do together—why would I bury you?”

“…”

“I might be tight with computers, but I’m not some cold-blooded android without blood or tears. Besides, we’re good together. Don’t tell me you thought of me as just a sexbot?”

“…”

“I was planning to make you cry out in bed next time, not whimper… I’m a little hurt.”

This guy, seriously… Yohan wondered if he should actually pull out his gun. It felt like he’d be the one burying the guy in front of him, not the other way around. Lear, reading Yohan’s expression perfectly, said.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop. I can’t say anything right.”

“You’re better off not talking.”

“I only act like this around you, Kitty. I’m usually the silent type.”

“Bullshit.”

Lear made a wronged expression, then turned slightly to grab a laptop he’d tossed in the back seat. He threw Yohan a playful wink and said.

“From now on, I’m replacing all the footage around our chemist’s house with old recordings.”

“…”

“I put in a lot of prep for this.”

“Yes, yes, genius.”

“Sarcasm, huh? Anyway, the point is, my father didn’t try to make me his successor for nothing. I’m at least better than your friend, don’t you think?”

Shrugging with a smug look, Lear tapped the keyboard a few more times and said to Yohan.

“Anyway, I’ll be working on this, so in the meantime, Kitty, change into the clothes I put in the trunk.”

“What’s wrong with these clothes?”

“They’re… cute and lovely, but too eye-catching. Plus, we’re not going as an FBI agent and his helper—we’re going as Declan.”

“Acting like the Declan boss now, huh?”

“I inherited it, so might as well use it. Not the real boss, of course—just a mid-level boss vibe.”

“…”

“You get the idea, right?”

Yohan was annoyed but sighed and got out of the car. He took off his Hawaiian shirt and threw it at Lear. His well-defined, muscular physique was revealed. Lear caught the shirt and let out a whistle. Good thing no one was around, or they might’ve thought Yohan was doing a strip show on the road.

“You pervert. If you’re gonna whistle, at least tip me.”

“Should I?”

Seeing Lear about to throw money, Yohan snapped.

“Turn your head before I gouge your eyes out.”

“That’s harsh. I’ve got plenty of cash.”

Yohan didn’t maintain his physique through endless workouts and jogging just to show off to this guy, but somehow, it felt like Lear was the only one seeing him shirtless, which pissed him off.

“That’s sexual harassment, you bastard.”

“If our darling wants that kind of play, I’m totally down for it. Should I take my pants off right now?”

“…”

“I’ll play the pervert mob character, so how about you, Kitty, play the mafia guy ambushed at the gym?”

This wasn’t some porno, and yet… Yohan’s role somehow had unnecessarily detailed settings. Not wanting to deal with it, Yohan headed straight for the trunk. Inside the already-open trunk were a suit and shoes that Lear had prepared in advance. Yohan let out a deep sigh and started with the black shirt. Even before becoming an undercover agent, Yohan, who prioritized mobility when buying clothes, rarely wore such things.

‘This guy really makes everything a hassle from start to finish.’

Yohan stripped off his pants, tossing them carelessly into Lear’s trunk, and put on the rest of the outfit. Though he didn’t wear this kind of thing often, with his height and well-built physique, he did give off the “mid-level boss” vibe Lear mentioned. To be precise, it felt less like a gang or mafia and more like a Triad vibe.

Brushing his hair back with one hand and finishing getting dressed, Yohan closed the trunk and awkwardly walked back to the passenger seat.

“Oh, Kitty…”

Lear’s eyes sparkled as he grinned widely. Yohan, feeling oddly embarrassed, flushed slightly.

“Is it okay? It’s been a while since I wore a suit, so it feels awkward.”

“Kitty… I’m mentally singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ right now.”

“…”

“I put some effort into preparing this, and it really suits you, Kitty. Should we head to city hall and get married right now?”

“Guess what I’m thinking?”

“Honeymoon destinations?”

“I’m wondering if I can make up some excuse like obstruction of official duties and kill you.”

“Imagining our darling abusing authority is making my nose bleed.”

Yohan made a dumbfounded expression at Lear’s words. Then, furrowing his brow, he asked Lear.

“By the way, how did you know my size?”

Lear answered brightly.

“I’ve seen you naked already.”

“Stop saying creepy stuff.”

“Broad shoulders, solid muscles, slim waist, and those plump hips—so cute.”

“…”

“I can figure out your measurements just by feeling you up a bit.”

“Your words are making me want to puke.”

Sure enough, Lear, with a concerned look, placed a hand on Yohan’s stomach and said.

“No way, is there…!”

“Don’t cross the line.”

When Yohan got serious, Lear pulled his hand back and said.

“It’s rare, but knots can come undone, you know.”

“I’m a beta, you know? No matter how much you mess around, no cute mixed-race baby’s coming, so stop worrying.”

“We haven’t even tested it yet, and you’re already so sure? That’s unfair.”

“You got into college early, but did you sleep through biology class?”

Only then did Yohan nod as if he understood.

“Oh, I get it. They say studying too much can make you a bit crazy.”

“Big problem. If they take after me, they’ll be smart, and if they take after Kitty, they’ll be athletic. Oh no, what if they get both talents?”

This guy was truly insane and impossible to reason with. Yohan shook his head, not even wanting to respond. Lear chuckled and said to Yohan.

“You don’t have to take it so seriously.”

“Should I say I’m getting tired of this?”

“Then open the glove compartment in front of you.”

Though it was a hassle, Yohan did as Lear said. He figured he’d come this far, so he might as well.

“Instead of a wedding ring, I prepared this as a dowry. Since you know how to handle a gun, Yohan.”

In the glove compartment was none other than a silencer. Yohan raised an eyebrow at Lear, who had gotten a model that fit his gun. Lear said proudly to Yohan.

“Me? I’m good with a karambit.”

A karambit, of all things. Just imagining Lear wielding that menacing-looking blade made it feel more dangerous than a gun. Picturing Lear swinging around a military knife used by Canadian joint task force members for self-defense made Yohan’s brow furrow instinctively.

“It’s strictly for self-defense.”

“I’m not sure where your definition of defense ends.”

“You’ll see in time.”

“A Canadian military knife, of all things. It’s too… perverted.”

“Kitty, you’re so prejudiced.”

Yohan shook his head. Regardless, Lear, insisting there was no change in plans, drove toward Inglewood. As they neared their destination, Lear’s mouth quieted down. Finally, he parked in front of Franco’s house and said.

“Shall we get to work?”

“Don’t go wild with that knife.”

“Wild?”

Lear pouted, but Yohan ignored him lightly, attaching the silencer to his gun and asking.

“So, we just grab Franco and rough him up, right?”

“Exactly. Combining what Franco and the prosecutor in charge said, it seems like there’s something between them. There’s definitely something I don’t know.”

Yohan nodded, got out of the car, and said to Lear.

“I’ll cover you, so the civilian better stay close behind.”

“Ha, you’re so cool, I’m falling for you again, Kitty.”

“Be quiet. You trying to wake the whole neighborhood?”

Gesturing to Lear, Yohan pushed him behind and took the lead. He quickly scanned Franco’s house. Seeing the lights on, it seemed, as Lear said, that Franco was already awake. Yohan sighed lightly, signaled to Lear to head to the back door, and moved cautiously.

‘Already awake, huh? Quite the diligent doctor.’

Standing at the back door, Yohan reached out and tried the handle, just in case. As expected, it was locked. Sighing, Yohan took out his silenced gun, fired two shots at the door, and immediately opened it to enter.

A sensitive person might have noticed an intruder right away, but Franco didn’t seem like that type. Spotting Franco playing the news and pouring coffee, Yohan tripped him, sending him crashing to the floor.

“Ugh!”

Franco’s body half-collapsed onto the table, letting out a short groan. The coffee in his hand spilled, and the cup shattered on the floor. Lear frowned at the coffee that splashed onto his shoes.

“It got on me, Bonnie.”

Yohan, holding Franco by the scruff of his neck and pressing his face onto the table, turned to look at Lear.

“Why am I Bonnie?”

“Because I called dibs on Clyde first.”

Yohan, unimpressed by Lear’s wink and words, said.

“You know what?”

“Hm?”

“I’m debating whether to blow this guy’s head off first or our Clyde’s.”

Lear responded as if it was a pointless dilemma.

“Darling, that’s like shooting the Venus de Milo with a Glock.”

So shameless, comparing himself to the goddess of beauty. What irritated Yohan more was that it was hard to argue back since he didn’t know what the Venus de Milo looked like.

“Fine, our boss here has a lot to say to the chemist.”

Franco, trembling under Yohan’s grip after the surprise attack, shouted in a strange voice.

“S-Save me! Please!”

Lear clicked his tongue, pulling a cigarette from his jacket’s inner pocket. While Franco, unaware of why he was being attacked at dawn, begged for forgiveness, Lear took a couple of drags, tossed the cigarette toward the sink, and said.

“Shut up.”

“More than you?”

“Bonnie, you’re the one who beats our chemist in bed, so don’t get jealous.”

Grinning, Lear’s expression hardened in an instant as he stabbed a karambit—pulled out of nowhere—into the back of Franco’s trembling hand.

“Aaah!!!”

Yohan couldn’t help but curse, quickly stuffing a dishcloth from the table into Franco’s mouth, and said.

“Are you crazy? The neighbors will call the cops!”

“Oh?”

Lear clicked his tongue, twisted the karambit slightly, and pulled it out. Blood gushed from Franco’s hand, his body convulsing. Yohan, still holding Franco’s neck, snapped irritably.

“Is this something you’re born with or learned later?”

“Darling, obviously both.”

When Yohan looked at Lear with a creeped-out expression, Lear grinned widely, tapped Yohan’s arm, and said.

“Just kidding. Learned it on YouTube.”

Which part was the joke? To Yohan, it felt like both. After all, Lear’s father was Joel Declan. But at this rate, they wouldn’t get the information Lear wanted from Franco.

“Enough. We need to stop the bleeding first so we can question him…”

“Our chemist is blessed.”

Lear shook off the blood dripping from the karambit. His glinting purple eyes made it feel like a scene from a horror movie.

“I told you not to go wild with that knife.”

Yohan sighed, lifted Franco’s body, still slumped over the table, and sat him in a chair after giving Lear a quick glare. Franco, dragged limply by Yohan like a piece of paper, continued trembling, his face pale to the point of turning blue. Yohan frowned at the sight and said.

“Thanks to you, he’s sobbing so much he can’t even talk.”

At Yohan’s scolding, Lear said in a rather gentle tone.

“What to do… Should I make a pretty hole in his other hand too? That might teach our chemist not to scream.”

“How about a hole in his head instead?”

“That’s why we’re meant to be.”

“Lunatic.”

Thankfully, before his other hand got pierced, Franco, hearing Lear’s words, swallowed his groans. Yohan, already playing the good cop, gave Lear a look to take over and pulled the dishcloth from Franco’s mouth. Lear, looking displeased at Franco receiving such “royal” treatment from Yohan, said.

“Chemist, you heard? I won’t repeat myself.”

“Hng… uh…”

“About the Milley case, who told you to mess with the candy?”

At Lear’s question, Franco shook his head frantically, as if having a seizure.

“M-Milley… I d-don’t know who that is.”

“I’ve already seen your emails, so don’t bother scheming. You really don’t know?”

While Lear interrogated Franco, Yohan found a kitchen towel in the kitchen and pressed it roughly against Franco’s still-bleeding hand. Franco let out a strange groan, acting like he might pass out.

Lear didn’t like Yohan’s actions but didn’t comment, instead stepping on Franco’s foot with his shoe and grabbing his hair.

“Remember now?”

“I-I remember! You’re an agent, right?”

At Franco’s words, Lear gave a slight smile, released his grip on Franco’s hair, and patted his cheek.

“Good. You were having quite the cozy chat with Airi O’Connell back then, weren’t you? Helping our chemist step out of routine work.”

Airi O’Connell was the prosecutor on the Diane case. One of the people who seemed oddly uninterested despite an FBI agent’s sudden death. At the mention of her name, Franco’s lips trembled as he spoke in a shaky voice.

“Y-You saw the emails, so you know… After the candy showed up, drug case penalties got stricter. The c-cases kept piling up too.”

“And?”

“S-So… they wanted to h-hurry up and close Agent Milley’s case.”

“…”

“A-And I didn’t want to know more than that. A-Anyway, my job back then was just to confirm if drugs were used in drug cases…”

Listening to this, Yohan frowned and tapped Franco’s shoulder with his gun, saying.

“The world’s rough these days, so I like to keep my safety off. You’d better talk straight.”

Lear clicked his tongue, snatching the gun from Yohan’s hand. Overpowered by the alpha’s brute strength, Yohan lost the gun and glared at Lear irritably.

“Darling, how can you threaten so cutely?”

Lear, casually saying something infuriating, pulled the trigger without blinking before Yohan could retort.

“Whoops. It was really off.”

Franco gasped at the hole shot right next to his foot. It was obvious Lear had pulled the trigger and missed on purpose.

“W-Wait! I’ll talk! I-I remember!!”

“Good. I was debating whether to blow out your knee or your head next.”

At Lear’s words, Franco swallowed hard and said.

“O-O’Connell, the prosecutor!”

“…”

“I-I don’t know how she knew, but she knew I was skimming reagent samples.”

“What?”

The more he heard, the worse it got. Yohan furrowed his brow deeply, listening to Franco’s story.

“W-When testing, you need a c-control sample, right? So…”

“There are pure samples, and you were secretly taking them, huh?”

Lear, standing at an angle, perfectly understood Franco’s words and said. Franco nodded, teary-eyed.

“She said she’d make it all go away… if I did what she told me. I-I don’t know who snitched, but… she said if I kept quiet, I could become the lab director.”

Yohan, listening silently, let out a deep sigh and bit his lower lip before asking Franco.

“So?”

“I did it. Honestly… Agent Milley’s case, I didn’t even test properly. The person was already dead… I just… certified the cause. That’s what everyone wanted. And they said they’d turn a blind eye.”

Lear, listening quietly, grabbed Yohan’s shoulder. If this went on, Yohan might explode with suppressed emotions and ruin everything from the start.

“Bonnie, you’ll end up killing someone like this.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Your eyes already…”

Lear frowned, looking at Yohan with a serious gaze. Honestly, hearing this made Yohan want to punch Franco to pieces.

“Fine… you take over.”

Yohan stepped back, grabbed an orange juice from Franco’s fridge, and chugged it. Meanwhile, Lear tapped Franco’s cheek with the gun and said.

“So, we just need to go after Prosecutor O’Connell? If we’re looking for the seed that dismantled our organization, she’s the culprit.”

“That’s…!”

“What? You’re worried because you two slept together?”

“That’s… in the past.”

“Chemist, shouldn’t you be more worried about yourself?”

“…”

“O’Connell’s an alpha, but you’re an omega. No matter how much the world’s improved… that guy probably doesn’t care about someone like you.”

At Lear’s words, Yohan asked with a slightly surprised expression.

“He was an omega?”

“Don’t worry, darling. I’m a very fair person. I don’t care about traits or gender. Besides, the only one my dick responds to now is you.”

Yohan, not wanting to hear more, frowned and turned his head sharply. The outside was getting much brighter. Lear glanced at Yohan’s gloomy back, sighed lightly, and pressed Franco.

“So, Chemist. Made up your mind?”

“Well…”

“You know that’s not the answer I want.”

Lear kicked the leg of the chair Franco was sitting on. The chair slid back slightly, and Franco flinched, at a loss.

“We need to find why you got tangled with Prosecutor O’Connell. Hand over your lab’s CCTV footage.”

“There’s CCTV at the lab, but… it’s erased every six months due to budget issues…”

“But?”

Lear said, as if demanding more. Seeing Franco’s eyes dart around, there was clearly something.

“I-I have a bit of a voyeurism… or paranoia, maybe. So… I secretly kept the CCTV footage from my workplace. Of course, only after I started tampering with the samples…”

Yohan, just waking up and already dealing with two perverts before breakfast, felt a strain in his neck. Of course, the shock of Diane’s case being worse than he thought played a part too.

“Nice.”

Unlike Yohan, Lear grinned widely, pulled out his wallet, and placed all the cash on Franco’s lap. Yohan was glad he’d been carrying extra cash since Lear took money from his wallet last time.

“Use it for medical bills.”

As for the rest, Yohan figured Franco would handle it, but the thought of sifting through his data to find Shadow’s lackey felt like a hassle, souring his mood. Still, keeping tabs on Franco and passing info to O’Connell’s side to uncover the guy behind all this would reveal who spiked his drugs and bring him one step closer to Shadow.