Their footsteps were the only consistent sound as they exited the main stage-toward the hallway at the back of the now extra-secure Aurelius Hall.
And as the final door closed behind them, cutting off contact with the outside world, Liam finally let out a long breath... and let his knees go a little limp-the weight of the words, the betrayal of the script, and the entire world's spotlight now on him... finally felt real.
"What will happen next, I've done well so far, if my prediction is correct NEXARIS shouldn't be able to go any further than this"
"But...Aaa sucks there are too many things I don't know yet"
However, in the middle of his reverie, Liam heard.
A short command sounded in the guards' earpieces. Within seconds, five heavily armed men in nameless black uniforms began to move, forming a protective formation.
At the end of the hallway, a shiny black vehicle waited. It was no ordinary car, but a Regal Argo LX, a model of armored transport only used by NEXARIS' supreme leader. Its body reflected the dim hallway light, and the organization's faint emblem was engraved on the rear door- barely visible, but enough to thrill anyone in the know.
The door opened automatically, as if to greet them silently. The interior was like a private conference room: dark leather, soft blue ambient lighting, and a subtle antiseptic scent that blended with the sterile luxury.
Liam climbed the small steps to the cabin, each step heavy, as if the world outside the stage wasn't enough to match the pressure inside this vehicle.
Luca Moren climbs in right behind him. Thiago and Eren followed on the other side. The door closed slowly with an airtight sound.
And when the sound of the electromagnetic lock locked the entire cabin system...
...the suspense began.
There was silence inside the car. The vehicle's engine began to move smoothly, almost without vibration. Outside, a convoy of escort vehicles drove along, forming a procession like a secret military mission. The weapons in the hands of the guards were on constant alert, their eyes sweeping the streets from behind black glass.
Inside, the ambient lights still burned softly. But all that false warmth was shattered in an instant, as Luca Moren finally spoke up-sharp and cold.
"You think this is a joke, William?"
His tone was flat, but his coldness pierced like steel. He did not look at Liam directly, but leaned forward slightly-suggesting that he was holding back.
Liam didn't answer. He knew that defending himself at this point would only make things worse.
Luca sighed loudly, then turned his head sharply. "The script you presented earlier is not the script we prepared. Do you realize what that means?"
He pointed at Eren. "Show me."
Eren, without saying anything, opened his tablet. With a few taps, he brought up the original document-the official script. The screen lit up, displaying an opening paragraph that was very different from Liam's emotional words earlier at the podium.
"What you're saying is... treason," Eren said slowly. "It crossed diplomatic lines. You spoke as if you were a victim, not a subject under surveillance. Now the whole world thinks we're... perpetrators."
Thiago sitting on the other side finally chimed in, his tone calmer, but sharp.
"You didn't just tarnish the organization's agenda. You placed a bomb in the center of a diplomatic table that was just beginning to take shape. Do you understand the consequences, Liam?"
Liam was still silent. But there was something in his eyes-not fear, but... exhaustion. And a hint of defiance.
"Siall... This situation isn't over yet" he muttered to himself.
But Luca didn't make room for that.
He leans back, staring at Liam sharply. "If Adrien knew about this... if he'd read the script in full-and believe me, he would've read it to the last dot-you wouldn't just be sitting in the next conference."
She leaned closer, almost whispering but with tremendous pressure.
"If I hadn't protected your position today, you would have been locked down below level five. There will be no more press conferences. There will be no speeches. Just experiments."
When he leaned back again, the silence changed shape-no longer a silence of tension, but of the threat hanging in the air.
"It will be brought to the evaluation meeting. And you know how meetings like that end."
Liam swallowed. There were no words he could utter, no reasonable defense. But inside him, something refused to give in.
Suddenly, Luca's cell phone vibrated lightly, but all heads turned.
He lowered the volume and picked up the call.
ADR. CALBOURNE.
Everyone in the car immediately fell silent, even their breath was held.
Luca replied, "Yes, Adrien."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough to make Luca's expression change. His eyes narrowed. His shoulders tensed slightly.
"...Okay. I understand."
He listened again, longer this time. There was no verbal response from her, just a brief nod and a long sigh at the end.
Then, in a calmer but heavier tone, he hung up the call.
The car kept moving, but the atmosphere inside changed completely. Luca stared ahead, then finally opened his voice.
"We're going to headquarters," he said, slowly but firmly. "Right away."
Eren immediately turned his head. "Headquarters...? In Europe?"
"Yes." Luca stared at him for a moment, then turned to Thiago. "Prepare for maximum security. Adrien wants Liam taken directly, with no gaps."
Thiago nodded. "I'll arrange diplomatic channels and evacuation by air. We can't use civilian flights."
Eren added quickly, "I'll activate ERO-Alpha protocols. Full internal surveillance. If this has gone to the center... that means-"
"It means," Luca cut in, "the entire Council knows. A big meeting will be called. Adrien himself will chair it."
Luca then turned to Liam-for the first time since the call.
"So, William Louren..." The tone of his voice was now slightly different. No longer furious, but cold and calculating.
"...You will stand in front of the supreme leaders of NEXARIS. And this time, there will be no podium, no cameras. Only the truth-and consequences."
Liam held his breath. His chest rose and fell slowly. He knew this wasn't just a meeting.
This would be a judgment.
He finally lowered his head, as if to acknowledge that there was no more room to defend himself.
Eren watched him for a few seconds without speaking. Then, without further ado, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pair of dark gloves covered in a special safety coating. He put them on one by one, then nodded to Thiago.
Thiago handed over an electromagnetic handcuff, the surface of which glowed lightly in a blue pattern when activated.
Eren spoke flatly, without anger but clearly containing pressure.
"This is for the safety of us all. You've humiliated the system that even tried to protect you, Liam."
He then bent down slightly, and without waiting for consent, locked both of Liam's wrists with the cuffs. The electronic click sounded sharply in the quiet air.
"And now, you are no longer a 'subject under consideration'. You are a dependent that must be explained at the central desk."
Liam did not resist. He was just silent. Cold. Thinking of his next move to defend.
"I will not relent."