Max Steps In

Butch calmed down and then nodded. "Hmm... I guess it is time to start revealing everything to Puck. How should we proceed going forward?"

Max narrowed his eyes before sternly speaking. "Call her to me and let me handle this. It would be better for you if this came from me instead."

Once Butch left the room, the eyes of Max narrowed slightly. 'How interesting Butch is. He is not quite like everyone else who seems eager to please me and is willing to stab the backs of others."

Although he had doubts before, further interactions and investigations had only helped to reveal the true nature of Butch.

Max found out that Butch was quite simple-minded and could be naive at times.

He was loyal to those around him and treated those he saw as family very well.

He seemed to show sides of himself that were more like a pack animal rather than a loner which could be a good or bad thing in such an organization where trusting others could be dangerous while there were other times when relying on help could end up saving lives.

Butch did show that he was capable in many ways but his previous display had helped to show a new side to him which made him more likeable to Max.

A part of Max had started to feel more accepting of Butch despite having reservations previously.

It took around ten minutes for the door to be knocked on then Puck came inside and found a seat.

She looked quite nervous to be called out directly to see the boss of their organization. "B... boss. You called for me?"

Max tried to remain calm displaying little emotion. "Read this. I have had some checks done for potential leaks and it seems that you have proven to be a potential risk. I told Butch to look into your strange behaviour and this was all that he was able to find for me.

I hope that you do not hold it against him but he must uphold. Relationships in this line of work can be fatal at times and well... I have to do a risk assessment when such changes occur.

I apologize for invading your privacy like this but most of all... I am sorry to have to give you this news. Please look through it all in detail."

Puck was quite confused about everything then she started to worry as he was explaining things. 'Huh? Have the others noticed something? Wait... why would my boyfriend be a problem?

Wait... what is all of this? The dates... that is when he said he was... and who is he meeting here? What is going on?'

Despite her confusion and doubts, the pictures and written reports on the private interactions and their nature had been compiled in a way that was difficult to refute.

The dates shown on the photos taken were during times when he was supposed to be busy with work or had something else going on.

His excuses seemed reasonable at the time but with the photos being presented to her like that, doubts toward him started to appear. "This... what is going on? How can this..."

Max maintained his calmness while explaining. "From everything gathered so far... he approached you intending to get close to you and there is someone behind it too. This means that if this was not spotted then it could have done great harm to you."

He wanted to say that it would do great harm to the organization too but he stopped himself.

Puck was already having a difficult time accepting the situation since it was her first proper relationship and she thought that he was being sincere with her.

It was devastating enough to learn that it was all false even without having to know what a burden she could have been for those around her if things went according to the plans of those people.

While it was partly her fault for being unable to spot something harmful to herself and her organization, the organization had not yet been harmed.

Max still wished to check some things out so he became a little more serious. "I know this is tough but I want you to tell me everything you have talked about. How much did you let him know about yourself? Did you ever mention anything related to this lifestyle?"

Puck tried to calm herself down but there were still a lot of things she had to deal with mentally and emotionally. "Uh... um... We never really discussed such things."

Max nodded before motioning toward her. "Just say anything that comes to mind. What did you say you do for most of your days when not around him?"

Puck was still nervous but the single question allowed her to focus on one thing. "Oh... alright. I said that I worked at an Outbound Call Centre but I did not go into details about it. I cannot think of anything that he would know.

I know that I should not discuss our work with others so I had to lie about the life I have lived so far to him. How funny.... it seems that I was not the only one lying."

Her words sounded quite self-deprecating as she mocked her foolishness and the situation that she was in.

Max explained to her. "This is the life you are living. You must keep secrets from others even if you have to create a fictional life to protect yourself, your organization and even your partner.

It is not an easy thing to do so I understand. None of this is your fault but this should serve as a lesson to not be so easily taken advantage of."

Puck gripped the documents tighter causing them to crumple. "How will you deal with him?"

Despite being betrayed in such a way, she was still torn between her feelings that were quite mixed in the current moment.

A part of her wanted to seek out answers from him.

Another part of her wanted to make him suffer for the pain he put her in.

Another part was still worried about him in some ways and wanted everything to just be a big misunderstanding.

She wanted it to be proven wrong but the documents kept making it difficult for her to find things that could help redeem him.