Hogg's Test and Carmen's Response

Talent—Insight (makes it easier to notice things and read people in ways others cannot)

This was Carmen's talent. It was this gift that had carried him through crisis after crisis to where he stood today.

Yu Yuan had decided to trust Carmen's judgment.

Even so, he sent Alpha Wolf a message, telling him and the others to prepare to rescue Carmen.

But he had barely sent it before he told Alpha Wolf to stand down and do nothing out of the ordinary.

Through Carmen's darkening vision, Yu Yuan had caught a trace of surprise in Hogg's cold eyes.

The next moment, Hogg threw Carmen to the floor.

Able to breathe again, Carmen clutched his neck and gulped down air.

His mind, muddled by the lack of oxygen, gradually cleared.

"Ch-Chief..."

Carmen's expression was convincing. Fear, confusion, and shock all showed on his face.

But Hogg stepped forward, planted a foot on Carmen's chest, and pressed down hard.

Carmen felt as if his ribs were about to break. The pressure left his heart barely room to beat, and the sensation of approaching death swept over him again.

"Carmen, why did Zoe suddenly tell you to collect the Mechanical Augmenters' remains at the Zoo? What's your relationship with her?"

Hogg bent down and stared into Carmen's eyes as he asked.

Carmen pushed against Hogg's foot with both hands and struggled to explain. "Chief, I have nothing to do with her! I've only met her once, right here in this office. You were there!"

Hogg knew all that, of course, but it was not what he wanted to hear.

"Then why did she pick you out of everyone there?"

"I don't know! Chief, I don't know why she sent me either. Today was my first time inside the Zoo. I hadn't even spoken