At Jonas's estate—masquerading as a crumbling structure from the outside—his men marched Ruben, Robert, and Natasha into the heart of opulence. Jonas stood in nothing but a silk robe, unbothered by their presence.
"Oh, it's my dear friends," Jonas said with a dry smile. "Depart," he ordered his guards.
Natasha's eyes darted around the room, noting the extravagant decor hidden behind the villa's shabby façade.
"You've grown rich in just five years," Robert said, his tone a blend of curiosity and accusation.
"Five years? That's long enough for a child to learn deceit," Jonas replied coolly.
Robert scoffed. "You really thought you'd fool the world with that little abandoned-building illusion?"
"And yet, here you are—fooled," Jonas said with a grin. "I was enjoying a moment with my wife. So before my mood sours… why are you here?"
He caught Natasha reaching toward a shelf of peculiar gadgets and memorabilia.
"Hey, don't touch anything. None of it's for sale," Jonas snapped.
"Your greed's grown too, huh? Afraid Natasha might find your golden goose?" Robert jabbed.
Jonas raised an eyebrow. "Aid? You came here for Aid?"
"So, you do know why we're here," Robert said, arms crossed. "Why the heavy security, Jonas? What are you hiding?"
"Where's Aid?" Natasha demanded.
Jonas burst into laughter, so sudden it threw them off balance.
"Oh, you're serious?" he said between chuckles. "You think I have Aid?"
"We don't think, we know," Natasha snapped. "Explain Paige's memory sticks in your daughter's room."
Jonas's face fell. "You went into my daughter's room?"
"Quit stalling. Your wife's probably hiding it right now. You have Aid," Robert said coldly.
"You're all insane," Jonas muttered. "Why would I steal Aid? I know it's worth billions, but the only person who could activate it is dead."
He looked up with a bitter expression. "And that's all I have left of my family… you think I'm that evil? That I'd kill my own brother and niece to get my hands on Aid five years later?"
Robert's voice cut through like a knife. "Your brother—Victor—whose house, business, and money you stole? That brother?"
Jonas exhaled, tired. "Natasha, you've really grown… You now understand adulthood. Stress. Loneliness. That crushing feeling of everything slipping away. I can relate."
He gestured around. "My agency's hiring. You're both welcome to join. And your 'silent observer' too."
Natasha slipped away again, ignoring him, and vanished into another corridor of the mansion. Minutes later, she returned, visibly disturbed.
"There's another woman in his room—not his wife," she whispered to Robert.
Ruben raised an eyebrow. "So you really don't have Aid?"
"No, I don't," Jonas said, surrendering his pride. "Call me a villain if you want, but I'm not lying. If Paige were still alive, I'd have moved heaven and earth to find Aid. Ten billion dollars isn't something you walk away from."
He leaned forward, tone darker. "And Aid isn't just a weapon—it's a security system, a tool of unimaginable reach. Whoever stole it might not even know what they're holding… or maybe, they want it for something worse."
"We don't need your theories," Robert said. "We're not leaving without Aid. You're the only one alive who truly understands it. You can lie to the world—but not to us. Paige isn't dead."
Jonas's voice turned cold. "That's your problem. You think hope is a miracle wand. I've told you what I know. I don't have Aid. And now, my security will show you out."
"He's telling the truth," Natasha confirmed, eyes scanning her handheld tracker. "No signal from Aid anywhere on this property."
Disappointment settled over Robert and Ruben like a heavy fog. Whatever answers they were hoping for… weren't here.