Chapter 280: A Deal with the CIA

He then returned to Michael's office.

Inside, Michael was pacing, deep in thought. He looked up as David entered.

"It's done," David said simply.

Michael nodded, his expression still tense. "Good. Did anyone see you?"

"No, sir. We were discreet. They're being taken to a secure location as we speak," David assured him.

Michael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This is getting out of hand, David. We can't keep playing this cat-and-mouse game with the CIA."

David stepped closer, his tone firm. "We have to stay ahead, Mr. Reyes. We can't afford any mistakes. What do you want to do next?"

Michael paused, considering his options. "Interrogate them. Find out exactly what they know and what their mission is. We need to understand their endgame. Okay, you know what, I'll come with you to their location. I need to hear this firsthand."

David hesitated. "Are you sure that's a good idea? It might be risky for you to be directly involved."

Michael shook his head. "I need to be there, David. This is too important to delegate. Let's go."

David nodded, respecting Michael's decision. "Alright. Let's move quickly."

They left the office and headed to the secure location where the agents were being held. They were unconscious, their heads limp and covered with hoods.

Michael and David entered the room, where two of David's men stood guard. The room was dimly lit, with a single table and chairs in the center. The agents were seated, still unconscious, their hands cuffed to the chairs.

Michael looked at David. "Wake them up. Let's get this over with."

David nodded to his men, who removed the hoods and splashed water on the agents' faces. They stirred, blinking and groaning as they came to.

Michael stepped forward, his expression hard. "You know who I am. I want to know why you're here and what your mission is."

"Clarify, Agent," the voice demanded.

"We've been compromised. We are currently held by Reyes' security. They know who we are," Agent 1 replied, his eyes locked onto Michael's.

There was a pause on the other end, then the feed was cut,

Michael understood immediately what the abrupt silence meant. If the agents' cover was blown, the CIA would move to cut loose ends and erase any trace of their involvement.

"So I'd say the CIA wanted me because they want to learn something about me, specifically how I always come up with revolutionary technology in different industries," Michael said. "Look, there is no mystery behind my genius. Everything is built thanks to my knowledge. I am only helping the world to become a better place by improving the way we live and enhancing our security.

But it seems the CIA doesn't see it that way."

David nodded. "It looks like they see you as a threat. They want to control you or eliminate you to keep things under their control."

Michael turned back to the agents, who were now fully aware of their precarious situation. "Here's the deal. You're going to help me understand exactly what the CIA wants and why they're so desperate to capture me. In return, I might even come with you. Heck, your mission is probably to capture me right? I'll go with you willingly.

But first, you need to tell me everything."

Agent 1 and Agent 2 exchanged glances. They realized they had no choice but to cooperate. Agent 1 finally spoke, his voice steady but resigned.

"Alright. We'll cooperate. The CIA believes you're getting help from unknown sources. Your rapid progress in various fields is unprecedented, and they think you might be using classified information or technology that doesn't belong to you."

The same answer from the CIA agent that was first sent to the Philippines to investigate him, Michael thought.

"Didn't the CIA just consider that I'm too genius?"

The CIA agents shook their heads.

"We have read your academic records, you are not the type of person who can come up with those technologies. Not only that, your history suggests that you are not even a bright student."

"That hurts," Michael sighed. "It truly hurts for someone to say that I'm stupid. But I understand. What I don't understand is that the United States itself can just approach me and ask. Why go for the trouble of traveling here just to kidnap me, you know? I will cooperate because the United States is an ally.

Look, a deal is a deal. I think you are genuine enough to tell me the reason why you are here. So let's go to the US."