Lost in contemplation, Sonny hesitated to reach for the glass.
With a furrow of his brow, Nathanâs voice broke the silence, as cold and composed as ever.
âYouâre being promoted to deputy director.
From now on, youâre to be addressed as Mr.
Garza.
Do you refuse to the water Iâve offered?â
The jest, though light-hearted, seemed to weigh heavily on Sonnyâs ears, causing him to bow respectfully with a hint of trepidation etched on his face.
âNo, no, your intention to elevate me to the position of deputy director of the National Security Bureau is deeply appreciated.
Your kindness will forever be engraved in my heart, and I shall always remain your faithful subordinate,â Sonny stated earnestly.
Nathanâs lips curled into a faint smile as he extended the glass towards Sonny with patience, his demeanor exuding warmth.
âWe also stand as comrades, as family, as brothers.
â
A lump formed in Sonnyâs throat, moved by Nathanâs words.
Carefully, he echoed, âYes, indeed, comrades, family, and brothers.
â
Gratefully, Sonny accepted the glass, his thirst overwhelming as he quickly drank the water.
Nathan retreated to his chair.
âTake your time.
No one will rush you.
Thereâs plenty more water.
â
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Sonny replied, âYour offering is more than sufficient.
The water youâve poured carries a sweetness beyond taste.
â
Upon receiving his accolades, Nathanâs demeanor shifted subtly as he leveled a cold gaze at Sonny.
âOnce youâve finished, return to your office, freshen up, and resume your duties.
â
âOf course, Nathan,â Sonny replied, placing the glass down before swiftly departing from Nathanâs office.
Sonny was drenched in sweat, his garments adhering uncomfortably to his clammy skin.
The sensation was discomfiting, compelling him to yearn for a swift immersion in the refreshing embrace of a shower.
Shortly after Sonnyâs departure, a knock sounded at Nathanâs office door, heralding the arrival of the Payne familyâs bodyguard.
âSir, thereâs been an incident involving Mr.
Mylo Payneâ¦â
Today marked the deadline for Ronanâs recovery from his leg injury.
Acting on Nathanâs directive, the bodyguards set out for Myloâs villa to look for Ronan.
Following Nathanâs previous instructions, they planned to escort Ronan to the ancestral temple, where Kern would administer thirty lashes.
From there, they would proceed to the National Security Bureau for documentation before transferring Ronan to a senior prison for a five-year term.
However, upon reaching Myloâs residence, Ronan was nowhere to be found.
Attentively absorbing the bodyguardâs report, Nathanâs brow furrowed.
âHow could Mylo thwart your efforts to apprehend Ronan?â
Shaking his head, the bodyguard replied, âWe combed through every inch of the villa, but there was no sign of Mr.
Ronan Payne.
Kern attempted to contact him and even tracked his mobile phoneâs GPS, but he seems to have vanished without a trace.
â
Nathanâs countenance grew stern as he struggled to contain his mounting frustration.
Straightening his military attire with resolve, he rose to his feet.
âFor Mylo to hide Ronan and obstruct the National Security Bureauâs standard procedures is utterly unacceptable.
It appears he has the leisure to spend a few days in a cell at the Bureau.
â
Summoning Larry, Nathan ordered him to assemble a detachment of soldiers to confront Mylo at the Paynesâ house.