"Daniel… you actually participated in this?"
Hearing Steve Rogers read out his old friend's name on live television, the congressman's companion turned to him in disbelief.
Just one glance at Daniel Buckley's pale face told him everything — Captain America was telling the truth.
"Damn it, Daniel! How could you get involved in something like this? And let them gather this much evidence on you?!"
Before he could finish scolding his friend, the door suddenly burst open with a loud bang. A group of heavily armed agents in jackets marked FBI stormed into the room.
"Daniel Buckley, you are under arrest for your suspected involvement in human trafficking and organ trading!"
Hearing those words, Daniel stared blankly at the television, where Steve Rogers was still reading out names one by one.
Then, his body slumped lifelessly into the sofa, as if all strength had left him.
Seeing this, the FBI captain motioned to his men. Two agents stepped forward and lifted the senator from the couch.
Daniel's companion immediately raised his hands and said nervously, "I—I don't know him well! I just came here to pick up some documents!"
"Heh…"
The FBI captain sneered, glancing down at the list in his hand. The man's name wasn't there, so he ignored him and turned back to his team.
"Take him away."
Daniel Buckley, looking completely defeated, was escorted out of the house as cameras flashed outside.
New York City — Inside the NYPD Headquarters
"Chief, how could you do something like this?!"
Police Chief Bob glared at Deputy Chief Alex, the man he had respected most throughout his career.
"No wonder, after the Blood Parrot Gang was taken down, the first thing you cared about wasn't the perpetrator — but whether any evidence was left at the scene!"
"It turns out you were the one protecting these monsters all along!"
Deputy Chief Alex's body trembled. Cold sweat dripped down his back.
If only… he hadn't been greedy for that $100,000 bribe.
If only he hadn't made that one phone call to destroy the Blood Parrot Gang's evidence…
Now everything was gone — his career, his honor, his family.
Taking a shaky breath, Alex opened his desk drawer and pulled out a small revolver.
"Put the gun down!"
Chief Bob immediately drew his sidearm and pointed it at him.
"I can't go to prison, Bob." Alex's voice trembled. "You know what'll happen to me there. I've locked up too many dangerous men myself."
He gave Bob a pleading look. "You remember when you first joined the force? I was the one who took you out on patrol. Please… let me end this myself."
He began loading a bullet into the revolver.
Bob's hand trembled. He couldn't believe this was happening.
"Thank you…"
Alex whispered as he raised the gun to his mouth and closed his eyes.
Bang!
A shot rang out — but not from his gun. The bullet tore through Alex's arm, sending the revolver clattering to the floor.
A squad of FBI agents burst into the room.
"Heh…"
The FBI captain smirked as Alex screamed in pain.
"Trying to take the easy way out? Have you ever thought about those women and children you helped destroy? Who gave them a quick death?"
"Don't even think about dying easy, Alex. I promise you'll live a very long and painful life in prison."
He waved to his men. "Take him away."
As they dragged Alex out, the captain turned to Chief Bob, whose face was pale and shaken.
He patted him on the shoulder. "A beast like that doesn't deserve death. Let him live — it's the only way those victims might rest in peace."
Chief Bob stood silently as the FBI left, their footsteps echoing down the hall.
He looked around at the stunned officers in the station, all whispering in disbelief.
Taking a long breath, he muttered quietly, "This really is… a day I'll never forget."
Los Angeles
"Damn it! After I learned you were still alive, I even helped spread the news about your resurrection! And this is how you repay me?!"
The wealthy young heir screamed at the TV as Steve Rogers' broadcast showed his name among the exposed criminals.
Furious, he grabbed a chair and smashed the screen.
"I only bought a few boys from the Blood Parrot Gang! That's not some unforgivable crime! Why is that damn hero reading my name like I'm a monster?!"
"Sir," his bodyguard said urgently, "you'd better leave Los Angeles immediately. Go to Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa — anywhere but here. The LAPD will come for you soon."
"Yeah… you're right. I can't stay here." The man's voice shook. "Charles, get the car ready! Call the airline — I'll pack and—"
Suddenly, gunfire erupted outside the villa.
The man froze in panic.
"Boss! This way, through the back!"
The bodyguard grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the back door.
But before they could escape, a squad of fully armed LAPD officers stormed through the corridor, blocking every exit.
Seeing them, the bodyguard immediately dropped to his knees, hands raised.
The young heir stood frozen in terror.
"Captain! We found several boys locked in the basement!" one officer shouted.
The captain's face darkened. He ordered his men to cuff the trembling heir, then strode to the basement.
After one look at the horrific scene inside, his rage boiled over.
He returned and kicked the young man hard in the chest, sending him sprawling.
"Ah! You can't do this to me!" the heir screamed. "I'll sue you! I'll make sure you lose your badge!"
The captain grabbed his collar, eyes blazing.
"Go ahead and sue. You like boys so much? I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life in a cell with some old Mexican inmates."
"A pampered little bastard like you will be very popular there."
Hearing those words, the man turned pale with horror, struggling wildly.
"Take him away!"
The captain waved his hand, and the officers dragged the screaming heir and his bodyguard out of the house.
Disgust twisted the captain's face as he muttered, "Monsters in designer suits."
At S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters
Watching Steve Rogers read name after name on live television, Alexander Pierce leaned back and smiled faintly at Nick Fury.
"Captain America sure knows how to make an entrance. His first act after returning is to shake the whole damn world. By tomorrow, all of America will be talking about this."
Fury's tone was cold. "As they should. If you commit crimes like this, you'd better be ready to face the consequences."
He folded his arms. "Using this operation — exposing the rich and powerful — as a symbol of Captain America's return? That's justice people have been waiting to see."
Pierce nodded, smirking. "What I'm curious about is who's helping him. Whoever's behind this investigation with Rogers… they're good. Maybe even better than we thought."
"Fury, maybe S.H.I.E.L.D. should recruit them. Power like that shouldn't go to waste."
Fury nodded slightly — but in his heart, he felt a chill.
Once, he would've trusted Alexander Pierce with his life.
But after seeing that video… after learning who Sitwell had really worked for…
He wasn't so sure anymore.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
I upload 2 chapters daily on Patreon!
There are 70+ advanced chapters available for you to read.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.