Found Obsession

Chapter 113: The Thin Line Between Justice and Vengeance.

Rose caught the faint glint of amusement in Jonathan's eyes, but it was the subtle, unmistakable edge of the snake within him that truly captivated her. She found herself momentarily hypnotized by his presence, the calculated calm, the sharpness in his gaze. Is this what his soldiers talked about? she wondered.

The four individuals—Lucas, Riley, Teresa, and the limping figure—looked as though they had planned to sneak into one of the offices. But their plans had clearly faltered the moment they saw Rose and Jonathan sitting there, watching them. The tension was palpable, their hesitation obvious.

Rose and Jonathan began walking toward them, the floor seeming to shrink as the distance closed. Rose didn't miss the way Teresa, Riley, and Lucas became visibly paler, their discomfort etched clearly on their faces.

Jonathan's steps were measured, deliberate, as if savoring the moment. His lips curved into a faint smirk, and when he spoke, his voice was smooth and dripping with quiet authority. "Seems like a very heavy mission you had, Riley," he said, almost relishing the words.

Riley stiffened. Teresa clutched the first aid kit tighter, and Lucas failed at his composure.

Rose remained silent, her sharp gaze moving between them, but she couldn't help noticing how Jonathan seemed to effortlessly command the situation, his presence overwhelming. She could almost feel the weight of what was about to unravel.

"Yes, sir. A heavy one," Riley answered, his voice steady but strained.

Jonathan tilted his head slightly, his smirk laced with biting sarcasm. "Well, in a battlefield, either you come back with honor or don't come back at all. So, I'm glad you four succeeded."

The weight of his words hung in the air. Rose saw Lucas swallow hard, his discomfort evident, while Riley and Teresa looked like they were wavering under Jonathan's sharp gaze.

The person they were holding, still disguised in their SWAT gear, seemed to shift uncomfortably, as though they wanted to sit down but were too afraid to make a move. The room fell silent, tension coiling tighter with each passing second.

"Right?" Jonathan added, his voice cool but pointed.

Riley hesitated, a flicker of concern flashing across his features. He finally spoke, his voice trembling slightly. "Sir... the mission failed."

Jonathan's smirk deepened, though his eyes darkened. "How aweful it feels when you don't succeed," he said smoothly. The double meaning in his words wasn't lost on anyone. Rose could see it in their faces—they all felt off.

Jonathan's tone turned colder, cutting through the silence like a blade. "Why did it fail?"

Riley faltered, his confidence crumbling. "The mission... it was unplanned," he admitted, his voice wavering. "One of us acted imprudently and reckless, sir."

Jonathan's sharp gaze locked onto Riley, his expression unreadable. Rose's eyes followed Riley's instinctive glance toward the figure he was holding. The momentary flicker of his eyes gave it away.

Rose and Jonathan shifted their attention to the disguised figure. The person visibly stiffened under their scrutiny, their body language tense, almost defensive.

"Riley, I'm your boss, correct?" Jonathan said, his voice steady but sharp.

"Yes, sir. You are," Riley responded, his voice carrying a hesitant edge.

"Then, Riley," Jonathan continued, his tone turning fierce, "none of my men under my line come back as rats running away."

Rose watched as the group froze, dumbstruck by his words.