Zeus and the Hidden Mystery (2)

"Well, well, well, he is…"

"The cherry on top," Milo said, his tone laced with mockery and triumph, as if savoring each word before releasing it into the air. "None other than your grandson... The one you have to hand over to the general. Of course, your son never knew. Funny how life plays out, wouldn't you agree, Drakito?"

The silence that followed was deafening, like a slab of stone falling upon everyone present. Drake stood motionless, his eyes fixed on Milo but not truly seeing him. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, desperately trying to connect the fragments of information he had received. But the magnitude of the revelation was too immense, as if he had choked on something he couldn't swallow or expel.

His breathing grew shallow and uneven, almost imperceptible, as he struggled to process what he had just heard. It was as though Milo's words were poison slowly spreading through his body, paralyzing every fiber of his being. His hands trembled slightly, and his jaw clenched so tightly it seemed it might shatter under the pressure.

"My... grandson?" he finally murmured, his voice barely audible, like a distant echo that barely escaped his lips. The words felt foreign in his mouth, as if they belonged to someone else.

Milo watched Drake's reaction with a satisfied smirk, relishing the chaos he had unleashed. He knew exactly the effect his words would have, and he couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome.

"That's right, little brother," Milo replied, dragging out his words with deliberate slowness. "Destiny has a twisted sense of humor, don't you think? Now, tell me… What will you do? Will you hand over your own grandson to the general? Or would you rather face me and risk everything?"

Drake didn't respond. His mind was trapped in an internal battle, torn between disbelief, pain, and rage. It was as if he were choking on the truth, unable to digest it, yet equally unable to ignore it.

Meanwhile, Melisa, along with the team of drone cameras operated by Greg, listened intently to the conversation from their position.

"We can't keep filming this," Melisa murmured, her voice trembling as she watched the images transmitted by the drones.

Ian, ever sarcastic, let out a nervous laugh.

"Not even my family reunions are this disturbing."

Choy, trying to lighten the mood, chimed in with an ironic comment.

"Yeah, bro. He dropped so many spoilers in one scene that my head hurts—it's like a soap opera already."

Michele shot him a glare, her tone serious and concerned.

"That's not the point, idiot. I'm talking about the serious problem and lifelong trauma this will cause that child. I don't even have these kinds of issues with my parents."

Professor Kile nodded slowly, his expression grim.

"Not just the child, but the entire family. This goes beyond simple secrets."

All the agents fell silent. The news that Aiden was Drake's grandson reverberated like an endless echo. The boy they were supposed to deliver to the general was more than just a target; he was the portal-opening weapon, the agency's best-kept secret.

"If you're wondering what I know," Milo added, his voice dripping with mockery, "when I saw him for the first time, he reminded me of you—always trying to protect others. And, well, to clear up any doubts, I took a blood sample to see if he was compatible with mine. That's how I found out he was your grandson."

"What are you going to do, foolish Draki?" Someone muttered under their breath.

Drake, still motionless, struggled to find an answer. His mind was trapped between confusion, anger, and pain.

Milo, reveling in the chaos he had created, turned his head forward and announced with a Machiavellian smile:

"Well then, Miss Melisa, you can keep filming. I'll give you the exclusive scoop, so everyone finally knows my intentions. And also about my brother's secret agency… All those things they want to uncover. Just like Radar... No, just like how I ended the life of the person you admired, Nora Ribs."

Elena, who had been observing everything from her position, fixed her gaze on Milo with an even deeper hatred. Her jaw tightened, and her hands clenched into fists so hard that her knuckles turned pale. It was as if she wanted to leap at him right then and there, tearing apart his arrogance with her bare hands. But she didn't move.

"That bastard… he also killed my mother," Elena murmured, her voice trembling but filled with restrained rage. The words escaped her lips like a painful echo, and silent tears began to well up in her eyes, sliding down her cheeks.

Podbe and Aiden, who were close to her, exchanged a quick glance before turning their attention back to Milo. Elena's words resonated in their minds, adding another layer of hatred towards the man who seemed to revel in others' suffering. Podbe's expression hardened, his fangs visible under the dim light as he growled in warning. Aiden, for his part, clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, leaving small red marks.

Both locked their gazes on Milo, their eyes brimming with a mix of fury and determination. He was no longer just a villain seeking to conquer the world; now he was the cause of irreparable losses, the destroyer of families and dreams. Every word that came out of his mouth felt like a dagger sinking deeper into the open wounds of everyone present.

Milo, fully aware of the effect his words had caused, smiled with satisfaction. He knew he was sowing chaos, that each revelation was a new wound that would never heal. And he enjoyed it more than anything else.

"What's wrong? Didn't you see this coming?" he asked, his tone mocking and defiant as he spread his arms in a theatrical gesture. "Come on, keep crying. I love watching you all fall apart little by little."

Elena took a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears that continued to flow uncontrollably. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her weak, but the weight of her memories was overwhelming. She remembered her mother—her warm laughter, her soothing voice—all taken away by the monster standing before her.

Aiden tried to move his hands, though he couldn't because he was trapped like the others, his body trembling with rage.

"This isn't over," he said through gritted teeth, his voice low but filled with conviction. "You'll pay for everything you've done, forgetting all the things this evil man in front of me has said."

Podbe growled again, his eyes locked on Milo as if he were prey. The bond between the three of them was strengthened at that moment, united by shared pain and the promise of vengeance.

Milo watched them with a twisted smile, savoring the spectacle.

"Oh, I'll pay… but not in the way you think," he replied, his tone brimming with confidence. "Because when I'm done with you, there will be nothing left but ashes."

"We've been discovered. Oh well," Choy said, shrugging as he stepped out of hiding along with the others. A group of robots appeared behind them, aiming lethal weapons at the group.

Milo spread his arms, relishing the moment.

"Good, come here and film what I have to say," he declared, his smile widening as he looked at each of those present with absolute disdain.