A single harsh bulb swung from the ceiling, casting flickering shadows across the cold room. Leon was tied to a metal chair in the center, his wrists raw from the ropes and face swollen and bruised. Blood trickled from a split lip and a cut above his eye. His shirt was torn, revealing fresh purple marks across his ribs and arms.

Viktor stood in front of him, cracking his knuckles, while two of his men flanked the chair.

"Again," Viktor growled. "Tell us about the classified files your father kept. Blueprints? Anything! Speak, boy!"

Leon shook his head weakly, tears mixing with the blood on his face. "I... I don’t know anything... Please... I swear I don’t..."

One of the men slammed a heavy fist into Leon’s stomach. He gasped, doubling over as much as the ropes allowed, coughing violently.

Viktor grabbed a fistful of Leon’s hair and yanked his head back. "You’re lying! Your father was deep in dirty business before he disappeared. He must have hidden something important. A documents or code. Tell us where they are or we’ll make this much worse!"

"I don’t know!" Leon cried out, voice hoarse and broken. "My father never told me anything like that! I was just a kid... please... I’m telling the truth..."

Another brutal punch landed on his jaw.

Leon’s head snapped to the side. Blood sprayed from his mouth.

"Hit him harder," Viktor ordered. "Maybe pain will jog his memory."

The men took turns. A kick to the ribs. A slap across the face. Each blow accompanied by Viktor’s relentless questions.

"Where did your father hide his secrets? What was in his private study? Speak!"

Leon sobbed, body trembling. "I don’t know... I really don’t... He never let me in there... Please stop... It hurts..."

Viktor laughed coldly. "Hurts? We’re just getting started. Your brother sold his body to protect you, and this is how you repay him? By keeping secrets? Pathetic."

"I’m not keeping anything!" Leon screamed through tears. "I don’t know about any files! I swear on my life!"

The beating continued. Viktor watched with satisfaction as Leon’s cries grew weaker.

The heavy metal door suddenly creaked open.

Liam walked in, his presence immediately shifting the atmosphere. He wore a tailored black suit, golden eyes calm and calculating.

Viktor’s face lit up. He beamed, walking over with a seductive sway of his hips. He pressed close to Liam, running a hand down his own waist slowly, almost invitingly.

"Advisor... you finally came," Viktor purred, voice dripping with desire. "Look at me. I’ve been waiting for you. Why don’t you take a break from all this... and ride me instead? Right here. I can make it worth your while."

Liam ignored him completely, eyes fixed on Leon’s battered form. "Stop."

The men immediately stepped back.

Liam walked over to Leon, who flinched violently at his approach. He gestured to one of the men. "Bring a glass of water now."

The man hurried off and returned quickly with a glass. Liam took it and held it gently to Leon’s cracked lips.

"Drink," Liam said softly. "Slowly."

Leon stared at him with pure fear, eyes wide and trembling. He hesitated, expecting another trick.

"It’s just water," Liam reassured, voice calm and almost kind. "Drink. You’ll feel better."

Leon finally parted his lips and drank in small, shaky sips. Some water spilled down his chin, mixing with blood. When the glass was empty, he looked up at Liam with terror-filled eyes.

Liam crouched slightly to be at eye level. "Leon... I need you to listen to me carefully. Do you know of any secret things your father hid? Anything in his study? Documents? Files? Anything at all?"

Leon shook his head quickly, still trembling. "N-no... I don’t know anything... He never told me..."

Viktor slammed his fist on the metal table nearby, making everyone jump. "Stop lying, you little shit! Tell the truth or I’ll break every bone in your body!"

Leon whimpered, shrinking back in fear. "I’m not lying... please... I don’t know..."

Liam raised a hand, silencing Viktor. "Calm down, Viktor. Fear won’t help if he truly doesn’t know." He turned back to Leon, his tone gentle but firm. "Leon, look at me. Is there any place in your old house your father didn’t allow you to go? A locked room or a forbidden area?"

Leon hesitated, then nodded slowly, tears still falling. "Y-yes... There was a room in the back of his study. He said it was dangerous... that only my brother Sylvain was allowed inside. I was never permitted to enter. He said it was for grown-up things."

Liam’s golden eyes sharpened with interest. "What do you think was in there? Did you ever hear anything? See anything unusual?"

Leon shook his head again, voice small and scared. "I don’t know... I really don’t. Father was very strict about it. He said it was private business. Only Sylvain went in sometimes, and even then, he looked worried when he came out. I never asked questions... I was too afraid."

Viktor growled, stepping closer. "He’s still hiding something! Let me beat it out of him!"

Liam shot him a cold look. "Enough. The boy is terrified. Pushing harder will only make him shut down completely." He turned back to Leon, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder. "Thank you for telling me that, Leon. Rest now. We’ll talk more later."

Leon stared at him with wide, fearful eyes, still shaking. "Please... don’t hurt me anymore... I really don’t know anything else..."

Liam stood up gracefully. "We’ll see."

He glanced at Viktor. "Clean him up a little and no more beatings until I say so."

As Liam walked toward the door, Viktor followed him, still trying to sway seductively. "Advisor... wait. You’ve been so cold lately. Let me make you feel good. Forget the boy for a while—"

Liam ignored him again and left the room without a word. Viktor stood there, frustrated, watching the door close.

Leon remained tied to the chair, sobbing quietly, wondering how much more pain he could endure before he will be rescued."