C471 Was He Working With Willy

After entering the room, everyone gathered around. Mark remained standing in the middle while Sarah, Samantha, and Chris took their places around him. For a few seconds, nobody spoke. They were all still mourning Emmanuel, and Mark knew that whatever he was about to say would not be easy for them to hear. He took a slow breath. “Lions, I know that we are still mourning the loss of Emmanuel.” His voice became softer. “I know none of you are ready to think about another mission. I tried to reason with the Mayor, but he made his position very clear.” Sarah looked at him. “What did he say?” Mark sighed. “He said there is no way he can allow you all to simply quit.” Chris immediately frowned. Mark continued. “According to him, government work is not something you can simply walk away from whenever you choose.” Chris gave a bitter laugh. “So now we belong to the government?” Mark looked at him. “That isn't what I'm saying.” “But that's what it sounds like.”

Mark continued. “He also said that if you intend to leave, completing one successful mission does not erase the crime you committed.” The room became silent. Chris smiled bitterly. “So the Mayor thinks he controls us because we killed Willy Harris.” Mark didn't respond. Chris stepped forward. “Tell me something, Uncle.” Mark looked at him. “If the Mayor is so concerned about Willy's death, what makes you think he would have allowed the law to punish him properly?” Sarah and Samantha exchanged uneasy glances. Mark frowned. “What are you suggesting?” Chris shook his head. “I'm not suggesting anything.” He paused. “But think about it.” Mark remained silent. “You think Willy Harris would have been sent to prison and left there?” Chris's voice became more serious. “What makes you so sure?” Mark looked at him. “You think the Mayor would have set him free?” Chris shook his head. “I don't know.” He looked away for a moment. “Maybe I'm wrong.” Then he turned back toward Mark. “But you know the Mayor better than we do.” Mark stared at him. “What are you saying?” Chris took a breath. “I'm saying that to us, being told now that we are going to be punished for killing Willy makes us wonder what would have happened if we had left him alive.”

Sarah remained quiet. Chris continued. “Willy Harris caused suffering to a lot of people.” He clenched his fists. “Do you honestly believe he would have simply gone to prison?” Mark didn't answer. Chris looked at him. “Or would someone have found a way to protect him?” Mark's expression changed. “You think the Mayor was working for Willy?” Chris shook his head. “I don't want to assume that.” He paused. “But you should know the Mayor better than any of us.” Mark looked down. Chris continued. “Was he always involved in your missions against Willy?.” Mark nodded slowly. “Our planning.” Chris gave a short laugh. “And how many of those plans actually succeeded?” Mark remained silent. That question stayed in the room. For the first time, Mark began thinking about the Mayor differently. He had worked with him for years. He had trusted his instructions. He had never seriously investigated him. The Mayor had always been the person giving them information, approving missions, and directing them toward their targets. But now Chris's questions were making him reconsider things he had previously accepted without question.

After a moment, Mark finally spoke. “Whether the Mayor is involved or not, we don't know for sure.”Chris nodded. “Exactly.” “But that's not what matters right now,” Mark continued. He looked at Sarah and Samantha. “What matters is what you decide to do.” He paused. “Can you convince my daughter and Mike to reconsider?” Sarah thought for a moment. “Mr. Mooney, Chris has already made his decision.” Mark looked toward Chris. “He wants to avenge Emmanuel.” Chris nodded. “I'll continue searching for Hanna.” Sarah continued. “As for the rest of us, we initially believed taking a break was the best option.” She glanced at Samantha. “But since the Mayor has made his position clear, I can inform the other Lions and let them decide for themselves.” Samantha nodded. “I agree.” “I am willing to come back and continue working with the government.” She paused. “But there will be conditions.” Mark raised an eyebrow. “What conditions?” Samantha looked directly at him. “If the Mayor is not involved with Willy Harris, then we need to know that.” She paused. “We will have to investigate him.” Mark nodded slowly. “And if you find nothing?” “Then at least we'll know we investigated properly.” She continued. “But we need something that gives us leverage.” Chris nodded. “Exactly.” Samantha looked at Mark. “He needs to understand that he can't push us too far.”

Mark considered her words. Finally, he nodded. “If that's your decision, I'll let you contact the other Lions.” He looked at Sarah. “Lucia Goods is still your workplace.” Sarah nodded. Mark then turned toward Chris. “Chris.” Chris looked at him. “Be careful.” “I will.” Mark's expression became serious. “You're already carrying the pain of losing Emmanuel.” He paused. “I don't want you to lose Tristan while you're trying to help Mike and Alicia.” Chris's expression softened. “I understand.” Mark nodded. “I mean it. Don't let revenge make you careless.” Chris nodded again. “I won't.” Mark turned toward the door. He was about to leave when Samantha spoke. “Wait.” Mark turned around. Samantha looked at him. “Mr. Mooney, we have one more condition.” “What is it?” “We cannot accept missions that require us to travel abroad.” Mark nodded. “For now, whatever job the Mayor gives us must be local.” She looked at Sarah. “We have families.” Sarah nodded. “We've already lost too much.” Mark thought about it for a moment. “Fine.” “I'll inform him.” Mark opened the door and left. When Mark reached downstairs, Kelvin and the others were waiting for him. Kelvin immediately approached. “Mr. Mooney.” Mark stopped. “What did you want from our children?” He looked concerned. “Did they agree?”

Mark nodded. “We managed to come up with a plan.” Kelvin studied his expression. “Is everything all right?” Mark gave a small smile. “I can't say exactly what they discussed. I don't know if they're telling you everything.” He paused. “But yes, Mr. Wood. We have a way forward.” Kelvin nodded. “Thank you.” Mark nodded and prepared to leave. Before he reached the door, Valeria spoke. “Mr. Mooney.” Mark turned around. “Please send my condolences to Mary.” She paused. “Tell her I'll make time to visit her personally.” Mark nodded. “I will.” He then left the Wood family residence. Once Mark was gone, Chris, Sarah, and Samantha remained upstairs. For a moment, none of them spoke. Chris eventually broke the silence. “So…” Sarah looked at him. “Have you all changed your minds?” Sarah smiled. “Husband, earlier when I asked if you were upset, you told me you weren't.” Chris laughed. “I wasn't.” Sarah raised an eyebrow. “You were clearly upset.” Chris smiled. “Maybe a little." He sighed. “Emmanuel was my nephew.” His smile disappeared. “I loved that boy.” “But at the same time, I can't tell everyone else that they have to fight.” Chris looked at them. “So I decided I'll fight alone.” Samantha smiled faintly. “We'll meet with the Lions tomorrow.” Sarah nodded. “Everyone deserves to know what has happened.” Chris smiled. “For the first time, I actually hope they agree.” Sarah looked at him. “Don't get too excited.” They all laughed quietly. It wasn't a happy laugh. But for a few seconds, it gave them a brief escape from the grief that had surrounded them.

Far away from the Wood family residence, Hanna and Charlie had finally arrived at their new location. The private estate was situated near the ocean, far from the busy streets and crowded areas. It was quiet. Almost too quiet. Charlie looked around suspiciously. She had been watching Hanna for some time now. Something about her plans didn't feel right. Hanna noticed. “What?” Charlie looked at her. “Nothing.” Hanna smiled. “You've been watching me since we arrived.” Charlie remained silent. Hanna reached for her phone. “I sent you a picture.” Charlie frowned. “To your new number.” She looked at Charlie. “Check it.” Charlie pulled out her phone. A message was waiting. She opened the photograph. Her expression immediately changed. “What is this?” Hanna said nothing. Charlie stared at the image. “There are people in a cemetery.” She looked at Hanna. “What am I supposed to do with this picture?” Hanna shook her head. “Charlie, I always tell you not to be stupid.” Charlie frowned. “Then what am I supposed to see?” “Look at the picture properly.”

Charlie zoomed in. She studied the people standing in the distance. Then suddenly, she froze. “Wait…” Her eyes widened. “I see Michael Smith.” She zoomed in again. “And Alicia Mooney.” Hanna smiled. Charlie continued looking. “Wait. Their friends are there too.” She looked at Hanna. “What is this?” Hanna's smile grew wider. “This picture was taken at their son's funeral.” Charlie slowly lowered the phone. Hanna stepped closer. “Now you understand.” Charlie looked at her. Hanna's voice became cold. “It is time for you to do the job I told you about.” Charlie swallowed. “What exactly do you mean by that?" Hanna smiled. “You'll find out.” She turned away. “But this time, Charlie…” Hanna looked back at her. “Don't disappoint me.”