Chapter 309 Alan was arrested?
Alan raised his head, looking at Lynn, a slight smile playing on his lips, and a confident gleam in his eyes.
His voice was low and clear: "You don't understand."
He paused, as if recalling something, "Scott gave me life, gave me strength; it was he who made my life worthwhile.
What you call crime, and what you call betrayal, in my eyes, are merely things you don't comprehend."
Lynn frowned slightly; he increasingly felt that the man before him was not an ordinary underground figure.
His eyes revealed a profound coldness and determination.
"You're risking your life for Scott, don't you consider your future fate?
Do you think Scott can protect you forever?"
Alan was silent for a moment, seemingly pondering Lynn's words.
He looked up, a trace of gentleness in his eyes, yet still firm: "Why do you think I risk my life for Scott?"
His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness, "Scott is not just my superior; he's the one who changed my life.
You always think he's a criminal, but in reality, he is the source of my rebirth."
A wave of unease surged in Lynn's heart.
Alan's aura was so powerful, as if he was no longer a common criminal, but someone with an extraordinary background.
"Rebirth? What are you talking about?" Lynn's tone was somewhat urgent; he wanted to extract some useful information from Alan.
"What did Scott give you?
What is this strength you speak of?"
Alan lowered his head, a slight smile on his lips, as if he had anticipated this question: "You don't understand, Lynn."
He looked up, his gaze clear, "I was once an ordinary person, an unremarkable person with no future.
But Scott, he saw something in me, gave me a chance, gave me true strength.
I never thought I would reach this point, and all of this, Scott made me understand what true life is."
Lynn did not respond immediately.
He knew there were many ambiguities in Alan's words, yet he couldn't help but be curious, "What kind of strength did he give you?" Lynn asked through gritted teeth, his tone becoming more forceful.
"All the transactions you participated in, all the crimes, are backed by Scott.
Don't you have a shred of conscience, have you considered the possibility of betraying him?"
Alan did not rush to answer.
He sat quietly in the chair, his eyes deep, seemingly lost in thought.
After a while, he spoke, his voice carrying a subtle emotion: "You ask me what strength is?
You might think it's the strength of a fist, a strong physique.
But in fact, Scott gave me a power to change destiny, a spiritual awakening."
He paused, "In my most difficult and confused times, Scott extended a helping hand.
You people simply cannot understand; he is not just an arms dealer, but someone who changes the rules of the game."
Lynn's heart trembled.
He began to realize that Alan was not merely a thug or a weapon, but a manipulated pawn, propelled by a greater force.
The veiled information in these words raised deeper doubts in Lynn.
What kind of person was Scott?
Why could he possess such powerful control?
Did Alan's "changing destiny" truly refer to some extraordinary means?
"Changing destiny?" Lynn retorted, "What exactly did you go through?"
Alan's eyes flickered slightly; he seemed to be recalling that period: "I was once a small-time street punk, homeless, not even knowing if I would live to see tomorrow.
Like many others, I lived a meaningless life."
His voice deepened, "Until one day, Scott found me.
No one knows how he knew my name, how he contacted me.
But that day, he gave me a chance, a completely different World."
Lynn was stunned, his heart suddenly jolted.
"Scott found you?
How did he do that?"
"He doesn't need to ask questions." Alan's tone became unusually calm, "He knew what I wanted, he could see my potential.
He gave me a different way of life, a different strength."
He took a deep breath, "He, in some way, changed my body, giving me strength beyond what ordinary people could achieve.
I am no longer that fragile street kid, but someone who can survive in any situation."
Lynn's emotions were complex, almost unable to process the information before him.
Scott's power, could it actually allow an ordinary person to gain superhuman abilities?
A larger question vaguely surfaced in his mind: was this "strength" obtained through some experiment, some illegal means?
Since Alan could acquire such abnormal abilities in a short time, the truth hidden behind it might be even more complex than he imagined.
"Is this strength you speak of real?" Lynn suppressed his inner shock and asked in a low voice, "What exactly did Scott give you?
Was it drugs, or experiments, or..." He didn't continue asking, because he knew that Alan clearly had no intention of easily revealing any of it.
Alan's eyes grew colder, as if a forbidden topic had been touched.
"You don't understand." He said with an almost contemptuous tone, "Your so-called 'justice' is nothing but a joke.
The power you pursue cannot change life at all.
And Scott, he gave me true strength."
Lynn's heart grew increasingly uneasy.
Alan was completely captivated by Scott's plan; there was no confusion in his eyes, but rather full reverence.
No matter how Lynn tried to pry open Alan's mouth to get Scott's whereabouts, Alan maintained an unusually firm attitude, refusing to reveal any valuable information.
Lynn knew that Alan's loyalty did not stem from fear, but from a deep trust and dependence, a trust that had reached the point of risking everything.
Lynn was silent for a moment, realizing that directly threatening Alan would clearly not work.
He had to adopt a different strategy, or a more covert approach, to slowly uncover Scott's true face.
A hint of coldness appeared in Alan's eyes as he looked at Lynn, as if everything was under his control.
"You can ask me all your questions," Alan spoke again, his voice cold, "but you will never expose Scott's secrets.
His plan is already formed; no one can stop it.
You might think you can unearth the truth, but I tell you, the truth has already changed."
A chill rose in Lynn's heart; he knew the gap between himself and Alan was growing wider.
No matter how hard he tried, Alan was like someone deeply bewitched, completely controlled by Scott's conspiracy.
"What are these plans you're talking about?" Lynn finally couldn't help but press further, but he knew this wasn't just about Alan's questions, but involved a more complex scheme behind Scott.
"What do your plans aim to do?
What is your goal?"
Alan's lips curved slightly, "You really want to know?
Well, you have nowhere left to go anyway, Lynn."
He looked at Lynn calmly, his tone somewhat playful, "Scott's goal is far beyond the simple transactions you imagine.
He is changing the entire game, pushing for a completely different World."
A chill ran through Lynn's heart.
Although Alan's words carried a challenge, Lynn could already feel the invisible pressure; the conspiracy behind it had already cast a shadow over them.
This confrontation was no longer a simple pursuit, but concerned a larger, more dangerous secret.
"I will uncover your truth, Alan." Lynn said in a low voice, his gaze firm, "No matter how much you try to hide it, the web behind you will eventually be torn apart by me."
Scott paced back and forth in the dim Underground Room, his face stern, his eyes gleaming with unfathomable light.
The air in the Underground Room was heavy, filled with the smell of mold and decay.
The only light source was a small lamp on the table; under its faint glow, Scott's face appeared even more somber.
He had waited too long; Alan had not returned on time.
"What's going on?" Scott murmured to himself, his voice echoing in the empty Underground Room.
"He never delays; how could he not be back on time today?"
His gaze was deep, as if it could penetrate everything.
Every wait, every silence, was like a taut string, filling Scott's heart with unease.
He knew that Alan was his most capable assistant and the most loyal person by his side.
Alan's loyalty was unparalleled; he was not just a warrior, but Scott's most effective executor in this Dark Dimension.
However, today's silence gave Scott an ominous premonition.
Alan should have completed his mission, and after completing it, he should have returned here promptly to report his progress.
But now, Alan had not returned, and there was no news from him.
Scott couldn't understand how Alan could lose contact at such a critical moment.
He looked up, his eyes deep, a flash of determination in them.
Scott knew he couldn't wait any longer.
If Alan had met with trouble, then staying in the Underground Room would only be a waste of time.
He had to take action, personally go find Alan, ensure his safety, or confirm his whereabouts.
Scott left the Underground Room almost without hesitation.
His steps were firm and swift, with no trace of hesitation in his eyes.
The door of the Underground Room creaked heavily, and as Scott left, everything around him returned to a deathly silence.
The air grew heavier, as if some unspeakable crisis was approaching.
The underground passage was winding and tortuous, the walls covered with thick dust, and only a small light bulb flickered with faint light, making every step forward seem heavier in the darkness.
Scott's pace quickened; he knew Alan might be facing immense danger.
Given Alan's abilities, it was impossible for him to be trapped somewhere for so long, unless... unless he encountered an unforeseen accident.
He finally exited the Underground Room and arrived on a secluded street.
Night had fallen, and the city's hustle and bustle seemed to be shrouded in a thick fog; only a few cars occasionally passed, emitting piercing honks.
Scott looked around, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's.
Some uneasy scenarios came to mind, and he realized that Alan might have fallen into a trap.
Scott quickly got into a car, started the engine, and drove rapidly towards the Underground Boxing Arena that Agent Lynn had previously tracked.
Since Alan had not returned on time, he must have encountered trouble during his mission.
And this trouble was very likely related to the FBI's operation.
As the car drove through the quiet streets, Scott's eyes grew colder, as if he could read hidden dangers from every detail.
He knew that the connection between him and Alan had never been so fragile; the FBI must have already begun tracking him, and once discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable.
As the car approached the Underground Boxing Arena, Scott slowed down and carefully observed the surroundings.
He didn't rush into the arena but pulled over in a nearby alley, waiting quietly.
The car window was slightly open, and the cold wind blew into the car, bringing a biting chill.
Scott gripped the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the distant arena.
He knew that Alan's mission was deeply connected to the Underground Boxing Arena, and this place was one of the central hubs for Alan and other illicit individuals.
If Alan had encountered a problem, it must have a direct connection to this place.
A few minutes later, Scott finally saw a familiar figure emerge from the arena's main entrance.
The person quickly walked to a car and exchanged a few words with the person inside.
Scott's gaze remained unwavering; he watched the person closely until he disappeared into the traffic.
"It seems someone has already found Alan." Scottmurmured to himself, a cold glint in his eyes, "They don't seem to know Alan's true value yet."
Just then, Scott's phone rang.
He picked it up and saw an unfamiliar number on the screen.
When the call connected, an urgent voice came from the other end: "Scott, something's wrong.
Alan is being watched by the FBI; we received intelligence that Agent Lynn has tracked him down and is interrogating him."
"What?" Scott's face instantly darkened, "You said Alan was caught?"
"Yes, Scott, Alan didn't complete the mission on time, and Agent Lynn likely already knows everything about Alan.
We're not sure if he can get valuable intelligence from Alan, but once Alan reveals anything..."
Scott abruptly interrupted the other person: "Contact everyone immediately; ensure Alan's safety.
He must be brought back, no matter what happens."
"Understood, Scott.
We'll handle it as quickly as possible." The other person's voice was urgent; clearly, in a short time, the entire situation had become very complex.
Scott hung up the phone, his brows tightly furrowed, and remained silent for a moment.
He quickly started the car, changed his route, and drove towards the FBI's direction.
The current situation was becoming increasingly dangerous for him; Alan's disappearance and the FBI's tracking meant he had to take even more extreme measures.
Chapter 310 Approach with caution and be prepared
He had no time to hesitate; Alan's physical strength and willpower far surpassed ordinary people, but facing the high-pressure interrogation of the FBI, anyone was bound to show flaws. Scott knew that if he waited until Alan was fully exposed, the entire plan would go down the drain. He could no longer let Alan be exposed under the FBI's nose; he had to take the most direct action.
"Move," Scott commanded in a low voice, his eyes sharp and cold.
As the order was given, the car suddenly slowed down and stopped at a dimly lit street corner. Scott did not get out of the car, but picked up a small communicator from the passenger seat and entered a set of codes. A few seconds later, the device emitted a slight buzzing sound, and then a deep voice came from the other end.
"Has the plan started?"
"Yes," Scott replied curtly, his tone firm, "The bomb is ready; ensure a direct hit. The next mission is to take Alan, no matter the cost."
"Understood, target confirmed. We will complete the mission within five minutes. Once the outer wall bomb detonates, you will be able to enter the building smoothly."
Scott looked down at the device in his hand, took a deep breath. "Begin."
At the same time, on another street not far from the FBI Headquarters, a black van quietly stopped. The back door of the van opened, and several well-equipped armed men quickly jumped out, put on night vision goggles, and quickly began their operation. Their movements were skilled and without delay. Explosives were quickly placed at the base of the FBI Headquarters' outer wall and the fuses were quickly connected.
Scott monitored all this through the communicator, calmly directing each operation. When he was sure the explosives were installed, he immediately commanded: "Detonate in five seconds."
The air seemed to freeze for five seconds. Just as the countdown ended, a huge explosion sound came from a distance. The outer wall of the FBI Headquarters was instantly blown through, a cloud of dust and debris scattered, and the huge sound shook the surrounding buildings. This was followed by alarms inside the building, and Guards rushed out of the building, looking for the source of the explosion.
"Action!" Scott ordered decisively, his eyes looking through the car window at the chaotic scene outside, a cold sneer playing on his lips.
A huge hole was completely blown open in the outer wall of the building, dust filled the air, glass shards fell, and the atmosphere instantly became tense and chaotic. FBI Police officers began to frantically mobilize personnel, trying to evacuate and organize a response. However, they had no idea that this explosion was just the beginning of Scott's true plan.
Scott led his armed men quickly towards the building. As the car door opened, several fast SUVs drove towards the building's entrance. Team members on both sides, holding automatic rifles, quickly got out of the cars and firmly took advantageous positions. At the same time, Scott emerged from the car, calmly directing the operation.
"Ensure the passage is clear; proceed inside first," he commanded in a low voice.
With a strong threatening aura, the armed men entered the main entrance of the building, while Scott, accompanied by two trusted associates, headed towards a side entrance of the building. The chaos caused by the explosion allowed them to bypass all Guards smoothly, quickly approaching the target area—where the FBI was holding Alan.
"It's just ahead; prepare to act," Scott said in a low voice.
As they got closer, Scott clearly felt the tense atmosphere in the air. The Police inside the building had already begun to organize a counterattack, and intense gunshots and screams continuously echoed in the corridors. They had broken through the FBI Headquarters' defenses, but the battle that followed was just beginning.
Scott waved his hand, signaling his men to act. Several elite Agents immediately rushed into the building with their firearms. Under the cover of firepower, the other Police officers retreated. A few minutes later, after intense exchanges of fire, Scott finally arrived at the door of the room where Alan was being held.
"We must get him out as quickly as possible; there's no more time to waste," Scott said coldly.
The door was quickly pried open. Alan was still sitting at the interrogation table, without the slightest panic on his face; instead, a confident smile appeared. He clearly knew that Scott would not let him fall into the hands of the FBI.
"You finally came," Alan said nonchalantly, "I always knew you would come to save me."
Scott entered the room, his eyes sharp as knives, scanning the surroundings. He quickly walked to Alan's side and helped him up from the chair. Alan was clearly unharmed, his expression calm, as if the recent interrogation was nothing more than a farce to him.
"Let's go, time is short," Scott simply commanded.
However, just as they turned around, a rapid sound of footsteps came from outside the door. Several FBI Agents quickly burst into the room, and upon seeing Scott and Alan, immediately drew their guns. "Stop! Don't move!"
Scott's lips curved slightly upward, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "You'd better not interfere," he said coldly, his tone full of menace.
Immediately after, Scott's followers quickly opened fire, and several FBI Agents fell. Although the gunfire in the room made the entire situation more tense, Scott showed no intention of stopping. At this moment, he had completely taken control of the situation, Alan was firmly protected by his side, and they continued to walk out of the building.
More gunshots and shouts came from the corridor; the FBI's counterattack was becoming more intense. Scottknew that after this battle, all their actions would be completely exposed, and the entire FBI would launch a full-scale manhunt against them. But he didn't care. For him, as long as Alan could escape safely, everything else was irrelevant.
They finally broke through numerous obstacles and entered the waiting SUV. The car doors quickly closed, Scott and Alan jumped into the car, quickly started it, and drove out of the building.
Outside the car window, the smoke and alarms of the FBI Headquarters gradually faded away. Scott looked back, a cold smile flashing in his eyes. "We succeeded," he said.
However, Alan did not show much excitement, remaining calm. Looking at Scott, he spoke faintly: "This is just the beginning, Scott. Our path ahead is far more difficult than you imagine."
Scott was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "I know, this is just the beginning," he murmured, his gaze firm, "But now, we have the initiative."
As the news of Scott's successful abduction of Alan reached the FBI Headquarters, the entire atmosphere immediately became oppressive and tense. Lynn and Mark stood in front of the command center screen, their eyes fixed on a set of data. Mark's face was filled with anxiety and unease; he paced back and forth incessantly, clearly in extreme distress.
"Lynn, Alan has been taken, the entire operation plan is disrupted! How can you be so calm?" Mark's voice grew more urgent. He was beginning to suspect that Lynn's composure was because he had already prepared and knew this moment would come.
Lynn did not answer immediately, but continued to focus on the data on the screen, his expression unchanged, as calm as if none of this bothered him. His finger gently slid across his phone screen, quickly opening an application, and a red blinking dot immediately appeared on the screen. The red dot moved slowly and steadily on the map, as if a humanoid object was constantly moving along a certain path.
"What is this?" Mark was already showing some impatience, but he was still drawn to the phone in Lynn's hand.
Lynn still did not look up at him, replying calmly: "This is the tracker on Alan."
Mark froze for a moment, a flash of shock and doubt instantly appearing in his eyes: "You put a tracker on Alan? How did you… When did you do it?"
Lynn chuckled softly, his gaze still fixed on the phone screen: "Just a few days ago, I realized this situation might occur, so I quietly placed a miniature tracker on him. This small trick is nothing major when dealing with an enemy like Scott."
Mark's eyes widened. He felt a shock and admiration he had never experienced before. "You actually thought of this in advance; you're simply too clever." He paused, seemingly digesting the information. "So, what do we do now?"
Lynn continued to calmly examine the movement path on the screen, his fingertips sliding rapidly, and the map on the screen continuously refreshed. "Don't rush. Since Scott chose such a bold action, it means he is not in a hurry to hide." He paused, then looked up, a hint of determination in his eyes, "Now, the only thing we need to do is use this tracker to find Alan's location."
Mark's eyes flickered; he seemed to suddenly understand Lynn's plan. Although he still had some doubts, he no longer appeared as anxious. "Understood. We'll do as you say." He took a deep breath, then turned to operate the command system, arranging for the support team to prepare for action.
Meanwhile, Lynn remained fixated on the red dot on his phone. The dot moved slowly eastward, hardly deviating from its path. Lynn already had some plans in mind. He knew Scott would not easily abandon Alan, especially since Alan might know some of his secrets, Scott would surely hide him. Based on experience, Scott's next objective was likely to move Alan to a more covert location, to avoid continued exposure to the FBI's pursuit.
"They should be arriving soon," Lynn murmured to himself, his eyes still showing calmness and confidence. He handed the phone to Mark, "For this operation, you lead the team. I will maintain constant contact to ensure everything goes according to plan."
Mark took the phone, observed it carefully for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, understood."
A few minutes later, Lynn and Mark, leading a task force, were ready and quickly departed from FBI Headquarters, driving towards the location of the red dot on the phone screen. The convoy's speed was unhurried, but every vehicle was filled with a tense atmosphere; everyone knew the importance of this operation. Although Alan had been taken, Lynn's calmness and pre-arranged measures ensured that the situation had not completely spiraled out of control. Every Agent knew that Alan's whereabouts not only concerned their own safety but was also key to uncovering Scott and the conspiracy behind him.
During the convoy's journey, Lynn's gaze remained fixed on the phone screen. His thoughts constantly calculated time and distance, trying to find a more advantageous breakthrough point from every detail. He knew that this kind of tracking would only become more dangerous; Scott was already becoming alert, and they could not let him detect them, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable.
As time passed, the convoy finally approached the location of the red dot. Lynn instructed the team members to slow down, ensuring no attention-grabbing sounds were made. They quickly turned into an alley, hid in the shadows, and began to closely observe the surrounding movements.
The red dot's movement path gradually slowed, seemingly entering a more complex area. Lynn's brow furrowed slightly, his gaze becoming more focused. "There might be obstacles near the target location; stay alert and be ready to respond to any sudden situations," he commanded in a low voice.
The convoy stopped about a few hundred meters from the target location. The Agents quickly jumped out of the vehicles, dispersed into small groups, and began to approach the target area. Lynn and Mark were in one group, leading the others cautiously through a cluster of abandoned buildings, stealthily and quickly approaching the target location. Every step was fraught with danger, but everyone cooperated tacitly, without the slightest slack.
"The target has entered an abandoned warehouse, not far from here," Lynn communicated with his team members via earpiece, "Be sure to keep communications open and do not expose the target."
The Agents' pace gradually quickened as they moved through the city's shadows, slowly approaching the target point. The warehouse's exterior walls were dilapidated, and the windows had long been sealed, giving it a sense of long-abandoned decay. Lynn motioned for the team members to stop, carefully observing the surrounding movements.
Suddenly, a team member reported via earpiece: "Lynn, there's a cordon ahead. The enemy must have increased personnel inside the warehouse."
"We'll go around it," Lynn said in a deep voice, "Approach carefully, and be ready."
The Agents split into several groups, quietly bypassing the enemy's cordon, and gradually approaching the side of the warehouse. Just as they were about to reach the warehouse, Lynn suddenly stopped, his eyes becoming even sharper. "They must have realized our actions. Get ready; we're going in now."
As the command fell, the Agents quickly rushed into the warehouse entrance. The lights inside were dim, and the air was filled with oil and dust. Soon, Lynn and Mark, leading their team members, entered deeper. They tried to lighten their steps, making no sound, only their own breathing and hurried footsteps audible.
"Alan!" Lynn called out in a low voice, his voice tinged with urgency, "Alan!"
Chapter 311: Charlie the Plutocrat? A World-Renowned Financier
The echoes in the warehouse reverberated in the empty space, but there was no response.
Lynn felt a surge of anxiety and nervously motioned for his team to continue forward.
Suddenly, they found Alan in a dark corner, held by several Guards, with no obvious injuries on his body, only a pale face, as if he had been tortured.
"Alan!" Mark called out, rushing forward.
Alan slowly raised his head, saw Lynn and Mark, and a complex look flashed in his eyes: "You finally came."
He coughed a few times, seemingly regaining some strength, "Scott won't let you off so easily."
Lynn said nothing more, just quickly untied Alan and motioned for his team to protect him.
"Don't talk anymore, Alan, come with us."
Lynn returned to the FBI building with Alan, physically and mentally exhausted, but without showing any signs of fatigue on his face.
As he and Alan walked through the building's corridors, the Guards and their colleagues all looked at them.
Although Alan was brought back, the situation was not too good, but at least he was safe now.
Lynn did not feel a sense of relief in his heart; instead, he felt more worry about Alan's future.
They walked into the interrogation room.
Alan was re-tied to the chair, with a cup of Water and some documents placed in front of him.
The whole room was silent and tense; the sunlight outside the window was blocked by heavy curtains, and the air was filled with the smell of disinfectant.
Alan's face was still pale, and although his eyes were a bit dull, he still did not show too much panic.
His lips trembled slightly, as if struggling to accept some parts of Lynn's words.
Lynn sat opposite him, knowing that this was not just about Alan's life and death.
More importantly, Alan had been deeply confused by Scott in the past, and behind everything Scott gave him, there was a profound conspiracy.
"You can see, Alan, Scott doesn't consider you one of his own," Lynn's tone was unwavering, completely unaffected by Alan having been his enemy, "Do you think Scott saved you out of loyalty, or because he considered you a partner? No, he saved you only because he was afraid you would expose all his plans behind the scenes."
Alan's eyes flickered slightly, obviously not expecting Lynn's words.
He lowered his head, not daring to meet Lynn's gaze, as if Lynn's words were a knife, piercing his heart that had always been loyal to Scott.
"How can you say that?" Alan finally spoke, his voice hoarse, "Scott…" He paused, as if thinking, "He has always been very good to me; he gave me strength and brought me back to life."
"Brought back to life?" Lynn sneered, his tone becoming sharper, "What do you think Scott gave you strength for? Was it to let you regain life, or to make you serve him, to do whatever he needed you to do? Alan, you must understand, Scott is not saving you; he is controlling you.
You are just a chess piece in his grand plan, and he is just using you to achieve his ambitions."
A hint of wavering flashed in Alan's eyes, but then he regained his indifference; he tried hard not to be swayed by Lynn's words, "What you are saying is all your FBI's prejudice.
Scott gave me new life; he didn't let me be as downtrodden as before.
I will never betray him."
Lynn stood up, walked to Alan's side, lowered his head, and looked directly into his eyes, "Loyalty? What loyalty are you upholding for a man who doesn't treat you as a person? He's just afraid you'll leak his secrets, afraid you'll become uncontrollable.
You don't understand, he has long treated you as a tool, not a friend."
Lynn's voice became deep, "Listen to me, Alan, Scottdoesn't care about you at all.
He will only make you complete tasks for him, and once you are no longer useful, or he deems you a threat, he will never bother with you again, and may not even care about your life."
A hint of bewilderment flashed in Alan's eyes; he couldn't help but lower his head and remained silent for a long time, as if some conflict was arising deep within him.
Lynn saw his hesitation and knew this was the moment he was trying to make Alan rethink.
"You still remember how he told you to be loyal to him, right? He even used certain words, gave you endless promises, saying he would change your fate.
But all he changed was your living for his plans."
Lynn's voice carried a hint of emotion, but still conveyed rationality and calmness, "You think you are living for yourself, but in reality, you are working for him, completing every step of the plan he set."
Alan's lips trembled slightly; he wanted to refute, but found himself speechless.
Deep down, his loyalty to Scott had begun to waver.
Although he still couldn't fully believe Lynn's claims, a voice deep inside was telling him that Lynn might be somewhat right.
"Do you really think he will protect you forever?" Lynn's words struck Alan's heart like a heavy hammer, "When you are no longer useful, he will abandon you without hesitation, just like he treats all his tools."
Alan looked up, meeting Lynn's eyes, which seemed a bit confused, "Are you saying this is true? Scott, really doesn't care about me?"
"See for yourself."
Lynn pushed Alan to a table by the wall and opened a document on it.
"These are Scott's communication records with an underground arms dealer before you were caught; your name is frequently mentioned.
What do you think these people are for? Do you think they truly consider you a friend? They have always only used you to achieve their own goals."
Alan lowered his head, his eyes hollow and unfocused.
Lynn saw this moment of change and knew his words had begun to stir ripples in Alan's heart.
He sighed heavily, softened his tone, and continued: "Alan, Scott needs you to do his dirty work, and you have given him everything, but all you got in return were lies and indifference.
What he wants has never been your loyalty, but your ability and your blind dependence on him."
Lynn paused, looking at Alan, with an indescribable heaviness in his heart.
"You have no choice, Alan, but now you have a chance to change all of this.
You can choose to leave him, to live for yourself, instead of for him.
You can also become yourself again, instead of continuing to be a chess piece in his Shadow."
Alan sat in the chair, his body seemingly stiff.
He lowered his head, his face pale, his hands tightly gripping the edge of the table, as if trying to suppress an inner urge.
His eyes closed deeply, and the surge of emotions in his heart made him feel unprecedented confusion and helplessness.
Lynn stood beside him, knowing that he needed time to think at this moment, to break free from the shackles in his heart.
Scott had given Alan many things, but also deprived him of his own existence.
Alan's body and mind were firmly bound, and now, only he himself could make a choice.
"You need to know, no matter what choice you make, Lynnwill always be here," Lynn said softly, with a hint of comfort in his eyes, "You are not alone.
If you decide not to continue working for Scott, we will help you.
But if you choose to continue to be loyal to him, you will not be able to turn back, and Scott will not give you a second chance."
Alan slowly opened his eyes, his face tired, with complex emotions seemingly intertwined in his eyes.
He did not speak for a long time, just looked deeply at Lynn, as if evaluating this completely unfamiliar World to him.
His heart began to waver, and this wavering made him uneasy, but it also brought a long-lost sense of ease.
Finally, Alan spoke, his voice deep and hoarse: "If I leave him, can I start over?"
Lynn nodded, with determination in his eyes: "You absolutely can.
You are not Scott's slave; you have your own choices and future."
Alan closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
At that moment, a long-lost strength seemed to revive in his body; however, this decision was undoubtedly difficult.
Perhaps he had not completely let go of Scott's control, but at least, Lynn's words gave him an opportunity to re-examine his own fate.
"I…" Alan finally said slowly, "I want to think about it again."
Lynn did not force him, just nodded, indicating understanding.
"Anytime you want, you have time, but I hope you can make the right choice."
Silence fell again in the room, Alan's eyes gradually deepened, as if he was silently struggling with his inner past.
A night of silence passed, and Alan still sat on the cold, hard chair, looking at the dim sky outside the window.
The streetlights outside the building were faint, and occasionally a few cars drove by, emitting dull engine sounds.
The air was still heavy, and the only light in the room came from the desk lamp, emitting a dim yellow glow.
Alan's eyes were hollow, his hands still tightly gripping the edge of the table, as if making a difficult decision.
Everything from the past flooded into his mind.
Scott's face, the loyalty and trust he had once devoted everything to, and those promises that changed his fate, were all mercilessly torn apart.
Every word Lynn said was like a sharp blade, cutting through the layer of solid ice in his heart, causing him immense pain.
"You don't understand," Alan had said this to himself countless times, and even in the past few days, this sentence had constantly echoed in his mind.
"Scott gave me strength; it was he who brought me back to life."
But today, in Lynn's eyes, he saw a different self, a person who had been blinded from the truth.
Scott had never truly considered him a friend or partner.
Alan had once thought he was an indispensable part of Scott, but now he realized that he was just a chess piece, a piece that could be discarded at any time.
Lynn was right; if he continued to be loyal to Scott, Alan would eventually become a tool, not a true individual.
At that moment, Alan felt as if he had broken free from an endless fog; although he didn't fully understand how to face the future, at least he knew it was time to make a choice.
He took a deep breath, reached for the Water glass on the table, and took a sip, but felt the Water was so bitter.
He recalled Lynn's words, as if he stood at a crossroads, neither wanting to be controlled by Scott again, nor wanting to lose everything and fall into a dark abyss.
After a long while, Alan finally stood up and slowly walked to the window.
He placed his hand on the windowsill, his gaze piercing through the glass, looking at the distant city.
The bustling streets, the endless flow of traffic, all seemed unrelated to him.
His heart felt empty, as if he had lost everything he relied on.
He had not completely decided whether to betray Scott, and even deep down, Alan still had some hesitation.
However, he knew that if he didn't stand up, he would never be able to change his own fate.
Those past promises were no longer a source of strength, but shackles binding his life.
Just as Alan stood silently by the window, there was a knock on the door.
Lynn's voice immediately followed: "Alan, it's time to talk to me."
His tone was still so calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness.
Alan lowered his head, took a deep breath, turned and walked to the door, opening it.
Lynn stood at the doorway, his expression still calm, with only a hint of expectation in his eyes.
He did not urge or show eagerness, just waited calmly.
"I… I want to tell you something," Alan's voice was somewhat choked, as if after a night of struggle, he had finally made a decision, "About Scott."
He paused, seemingly organizing his words, "He mentioned a name, the financier Charlie."
Lynn's eyes lit up slightly; he did not interrupt Alan, waiting quietly for him to continue.
"Financier Charlie? Are you talking about that globally renowned financier?" Lynn finally spoke, his tone revealing clear concern.
"You know, don't you?"
Alan nodded, his eyes a bit confused: "Yes.
Scott mentioned Charlie during one of our conversations.
I remember he seemed to want to reveal something to me at the time, but he didn't explain it in detail.
At that time, I didn't realize what this meant.
Charlie has enormous influence in the global financial network; a lot of illegal funds flow through his channels, and Scott seems to have some connection with him."
Lynn's heart involuntarily quickened; this name, like a flash of lightning, illuminated a corner of his mind.
He quickly thought, and information from his memory surfaced one by one.
Charlie, this name was closely linked to countless business empires and money laundering networks; there had been many rumors, but no one had ever truly grasped Charlie's true nature.
For Scott, if he had a cooperative relationship with Charlie, then a much larger chain of interests might be hidden behind it.
"Can you be more detailed?" Lynn looked at Alan, his eyes full of concern, "What kind of connection do Scott and Charlie have? Did he reveal any important information?"
Chapter 312: Go to Charlie's private residence to investigate
Alan seemed lost in thought, gripping the edge of the table with both hands, and murmured, "Scott never clearly stated his relationship with Charlie, but he did mention some details about their transactions. He said their cooperation had been ongoing for a long time, involving a wide range of areas, even some national government projects. The funding sources for Charlie and his cooperation were extremely covert, and the paths these funds flowed through were very complex. Scotttold me at the time that his plan wasn't just for immediate gains; it was to initiate a large-scale financial reshuffle globally, potentially even affecting the change of certain regimes."
Lynn's brows furrowed, his mind reeling. This information was far more serious than he had imagined; Scott's plan was not just simple arms dealing, but possibly involved global political and economic turmoil. If Charlie truly had such deep cooperation with Scott, then the resources and influence they controlled would far exceed the FBI's grasp.
"How deeply involved is Charlie in what you're saying?" Lynn's voice was low. "Did you have a chance to know more details at the time?"
Alan took a deep breath, trying to recall: "Charlie is one of the masterminds behind the scenes; he almost never appears directly. All transactions and plans are conducted through intermediaries, and Scott is just one of the executors, responsible for completing specific tasks. But I know that Charlie controls all the financial flows behind the scenes, and even has some political backing. Scott's ultimate goal might not just be arms dealing, but to use these resources to influence the World's economic structure."
Lynn was silent for a moment, constantly sifting through this information in his mind. He knew that every word Alan said implied a much larger conspiracy hidden behind Scott. This plan involved not only the financial sector but could also have a profound impact on the global political and economic system. If these clues could be traced, it might reveal the true connection between Scott and Charlie and break this global conspiracy network.
"Can you tell me more?" Lynn finally spoke, his gaze still firm. "What was your and Scott's role in these transactions? Is there any more information you can provide?"
Alan's gaze became even more complex; he lowered his head, seemingly lost in deep thought. After a while, he looked up and slowly said, "I only know that Scott's plan has entered its final stage. He intends to expand his influence through the financial support of the magnate Charlie, with projects including high-level government corruption and even the replacement of certain international regimes. The funds provided by Charlie can help Scott complete these plans, and in some countries, Scott's influence is already no less than that of any head of state."
Lynn's heart rate accelerated again; this information was simply shocking. The relationship between Scott and Charlie was even more unfathomable than he had ever imagined. If these plans truly succeeded, the order of the entire World might change. And Alan, as Scott's capable assistant, clearly knew too much that he shouldn't.
"Can you help us trace these?" Lynn asked urgently. "If you truly want to break free from Scott's control, help us, and You will no longer be a pawn, but a free person."
Alan was silent for a moment, a trace of pain flashing in his eyes. He looked up, his gaze firm: "I think I finally understand." He said softly, "I once chose Scott's power, but now I understand that this so-called power does not belong to me at all, but is a shackles binding me."
Lynn nodded gently, a sense of relief washing over him.
"With the clues you've provided, Alan, everything in the future can start from here," Lynn said. "Scott's plan will not succeed."
The next morning, Lynn and Mark sat in the FBI's large conference room. Sunlight streamed through the windows, and there was a slight chill in the air. Lynn's face showed little emotion; his eyes remained calm and focused. The folder in his hand was open to the information about Charlie. Although Alan had provided some clues about the relationship between Scott and Charlie, Lynn knew that this information was not conclusive. Alan might have been inadvertently misled by Scott, or what he knew was only part of the truth. To ensure that Scott's plan could be completely destroyed, conclusive evidence had to be obtained, and Charlie, as a part of Scott's conspiracy, was absolutely key to unraveling everything.
"Charlie has always been a mysterious figure in the global financial World," Lynn murmured, his eyes scanning a photo in the folder—Charlie's latest public picture. Although he looked like an experienced financial tycoon, Lynn knew that the power hidden behind Charliefar exceeded his surface. As one of the World's largest magnates, Charlie's influence in international politics and economics was unfathomable. The cooperation between Scott and Charlie was clearly not just superficial financial transactions; it might involve more illicit dealings, including regime change and the reshaping of the global economic order.
Mark frowned at Lynn, "Although the information Alan provided is valuable, he was once Scott's tool, so his credibility must be questioned. How do you plan to start investigating Charlie?"
"First, we need to confirm all of Charlie's business activities, especially his recent transactions and investment trends," Lynn said, pulling out a table listing several of Charlie's companies and his cooperation records with other business giants. "Charlie appears to be a business magnate, but there may be more hidden asset operations behind him. The cooperation between Scottand him probably isn't limited to superficial financial transactions." Lynn paused, his gaze sweeping over Mark, "We need to find an entry point in his assets, to see if there are any signs of unexplained funds flowing in, especially in areas like military and regime change."
Mark nodded, "I understand. You want to use the flow of funds to unravel his connection with Scott. This method might take time, but if we can uncover the money laundering network behind Charlie, we can destroy Scott's foundation in one fell swoop."
"Exactly," Lynn replied, "but we cannot be complacent. Charlie's capital flow is very covert, utilizing financial systems and legal loopholes worldwide. If we only focus on the surface, it will be difficult to find a direct link between him and Scott. We also need other clues, perhaps we can find more evidence from Charlie's private life."
"Private life?" Mark was somewhat puzzled. "Charlie's private life has always been tightly protected, with almost no leaked information. If we only focus on his personal life, there might not be any breakthroughs."
Lynn smiled slightly, his gaze becoming even firmer: "It is precisely because Charlie's private life is so strictly protected that we need to look for clues within it. His private life might be the side he conceals from others. Only by starting with the people around him can we find the path to Scott."
Mark pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Understood, You mean, start with Charlie's social circle to see if we can find anyone who has had contact with Scott?"
"That's right," Lynn replied. "As a magnate, Charlie must have had contact with many important figures in politics and business. Even if there is no direct connection between him and Scott, some indirect clues between them will certainly show flaws. We just need to search patiently."
Lynn opened a document on the table and began listing several of Charlie's key collaborators, including some business giants and important figures in global politics. These people might provide valuable clues to help them further approach the deep relationship between Charlieand Scott.
Meanwhile, Lynn was also preparing for another task. He decided to personally investigate Charlie's private residence. He knew that although Charlie's assets appeared glamorous on the surface, a large number of undisclosed transactions must be hidden behind him. Lynn and Mark quickly discussed the investigation plan, deciding to proceed from two directions to ensure that no potential clue was missed.
"We'll start acting first thing tomorrow. You continue to investigate Charlie's business collaborations, and I will go to Charlie's residence. We need to find any clue that can directly link Scott and Charlie," Lynn concluded.
The next morning, Lynn went to Charlie's private residence as planned. It was a luxurious Villa located in the suburbs of the city, strictly protected by high walls and surveillance systems. The exterior of the Villa was simple and elegant, and the courtyard was shaded by green trees, giving a sense of isolation from the outside World. Lynn, dressed in plain clothes, quietly approached the main gate and began to carefully observe the surroundings.
The security guard at the gate had already noticed Lynn's approach; he looked up slightly, appearing somewhat alert. Lynn did not immediately go forward but stood in a nearby coffee shop, pretending to pass by casually. His eyes remained fixed on the main entrance of the Villa, paying attention to any unusual movements.
Soon, Lynn saw a man in a suit walk out of the Villa, apparently Charlie's personal assistant. Lynn immediately focused his attention on him; this man looked very familiar, he should be one of Charlie's permanent staff. Lynn quietly followed behind him, avoiding the surveillance around the Villa.
The man walked into a nearby store, and Lynn took the opportunity to follow him inside. The store was bustling with people, and Lynn carefully approached the man, trying to keep a low profile to avoid attracting his attention. In a corner of the store, Lynn found the man talking to several people, apparently handling some private matters.
Lynn quietly stood not far away, carefully listening to their conversation. Although the sound was not clear, one voice suddenly caught his attention. "Tomorrow's handover, proceed as planned. Remember, this transaction involves a large sum, and Scott has already agreed." The person whispered, with a hint of urgency in his tone.
Lynn's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately realized that this transaction must be related to Scott. He quickly recorded this information and continued to pay attention to the subsequent conversation.
However, just then, the bell at the store entrance rang, and Lynn quickly turned around to see a man in a black trench coat walk in. His steps were quick, and his eyes were alert, as if he was looking for something. Lynn knew that he might have been exposed, so he decisively turned around and quickly left the store.
He quickened his pace, wanting to shake off the man's tail, and quickly contacted Mark to report. Through this accidental encounter, Lynn had confirmed that the transaction between Scott and Charlie was far more complex than they had imagined. If more clues about this transaction could be found, it might completely reveal the deep relationship between Scott and Charlie.
He quickly dialed Mark's number: "Mark, I found a key clue near Charlie's private residence. The cooperation between Scott and Charlie is more far-reaching than we previously imagined. Next, we need to quickly obtain the detailed information of the transaction, confirm the capital flow and specific content."
"Understood, I will immediately start organizing the data and obtain Charlie's financial data as soon as possible," Mark's voice came through, full of urgency.
The next morning, Lynn sat in the FBI command center, his hands clasped on the table, his eyes deep, pondering his next move. Through the previous day's observations, he had gathered enough intelligence—Charlie, the global financial giant, was preparing a private cocktail party, which would be attended by some important figures from the business and political Worlds, and Charlie would temporarily leave his luxurious Villa located in the city suburbs.
Lynn knew that this opportunity was a rare breakthrough for them. If they could infiltrate Charlie's residence while he was away, search for connections with Scott, and even those undisclosed transaction documents, they might find more clues to expose their conspiracy. At this point, the entire situation could not tolerate any delay; Lynn could not wait any longer.
"The party starts tonight," Lynn said to Mark beside him. "Charlie will temporarily leave his residence. Although he will have bodyguards with him, his home should be temporarily less guarded. We can take the opportunity to enter."
Mark nodded silently beside him, his brows still tightly furrowed, appearing somewhat hesitant: "Infiltrating Charlie's house is very risky. If we are discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable. Moreover, his home security system is not as simple as we think."
Lynn did not respond immediately, his thoughts racing. Indeed, Charlie's residence was heavily guarded, but this also meant that Charlie was highly alert to his own safety, indicating that everything behind him might be more complex and require higher security measures. And this was precisely where Lynn excelled—covert, precise, and swift. As long as he seized the opportunity and found conclusive evidence, any difficulties could be resolved. (End of Chapter)
Chapter 313 The final victory belongs to me
"I know the risks," Lynn finally said, looking up with determination. "But if we don't take this opportunity to investigate deeper, we might never get the key evidence. Charlie's party is his only public event, and the window when he leaves his residence gives us a chance to infiltrate. Tonight, his place will be temporarily vacant, and while his security system is strict, it's not impenetrable."
Mark looked deeply at Lynn; he knew that Lynn's calmness and decisiveness were often the reasons they could turn the tide in desperate situations. "Alright, since you're so sure, I'll trust you this once. Are you ready?"
"I'm ready," Lynn said calmly. "Tonight, we act."
That night, Lynn and Mark led a small team of FBI Agents, quietly setting out, their target directly Charlie's residence. By then, Charlie had already left for the party. His Villa, still located in the city's suburbs, was surrounded by high walls, with layers of security systems, giving it a feeling of being cut off from the world. Through meticulous planning and precise execution, Lynn intended to uncover the secrets inside the Villa while Charlie was away.
The convoy quietly approached the vicinity of the Villa. Lynn and several Agents got out of the car, using the cover of darkness to stealthily approach Charlie's perimeter wall. The surroundings were silent, with only the occasional distant dog bark, making it feel particularly desolate. Lynn stood on one side of the high wall, quickly scanning his surroundings to confirm there were no obvious movements. He and Mark quickly leaped over the wall, entering Charlie's courtyard.
Lynn had already, through earlier investigations, ascertained the layout of Charlie's residence. He knew that the main areas of the Villa were Charlie's private office and an Underground Room, where he stored many important business documents and private files. And these files might be the key to uncovering the connection between Charlie and Scott.
"We'll split up," Lynn whispered. "You and your team investigate the Underground Room, and I'll check his office. We must find all the evidence within a short time."
Mark nodded, instructing the other Agents to proceed as planned, while he led a group of people quickly to the other side of the Villa. As Lynn walked towards Charlie's private office, he occasionally looked back to observe the team's progress. The exterior of the Villa was simpler than he imagined, but the interior decoration was filled with luxury, all the furniture and artworks appearing incredibly valuable, as if symbolizing wealth.
After entering the Villa, Lynn moved quickly and discreetly through the long corridor, finally arriving at a heavy wooden door. The door had a simple lock, clearly not complicated. Lynn gently opened the door and entered Charlie's private office. The room was simply and elegantly furnished, with several valuable artworks hanging on the walls, and some files and documents piled on the desk.
He meticulously checked every corner, paying particular attention to seemingly inconspicuous folders. As he quickly flipped through a stack of documents, he suddenly noticed an unassuming small box next to a telephone on the desk. Lynn walked over without hesitation, opened the box, and found a document that looked like a bill and several photographs inside. Upon closer inspection, the document listed records of large sums of money flowing, involving some foreign accounts. In the photographs, Charlie and Scott stood side by side, seemingly posing for a photo at a private meeting. Both wore smiles, and the atmosphere was intimate.
Lynn quickly secured these documents, feeling a surge of excitement, having finally found the key evidence. Undoubtedly, these files proved a deep cooperative relationship between Charlie and Scott, and the source of the funds' flow matched what Alan had previously stated.
"We have a lead," Lynn contacted Mark via earpiece. "I found some key evidence in Charlie's office, proving large-scale financial transactions between him and Scott, possibly involving more illegal dealings. I need you all to return to the building as soon as possible to analyze these files."
Mark's response came quickly: "Understood. We found more documents and some suspicious money transfer records in the Underground Room. We'll return as soon as possible."
Just as Lynn was about to leave the office, he suddenly heard footsteps in the distance. Lynn jolted, his heart pounding. Clearly, Charlie's security had begun patrolling. He had no time to hesitate, quickly exited the office, and hid in a dark corner beside the corridor. A few seconds later, several security guards in black uniforms walked past, the overhead lights casting shadows on them.
Lynn held his breath, waiting for the security team to pass. Out of their sight, Lynn quickly moved through the corridor, returning to the door he had first entered the Villa through. The night outside was still dim, and the air was filled with the scent of grass and dampness; he knew he had to get out quickly, taking the evidence with him.
He quickly returned along the predetermined route, and Mark and the other Agents were also ready, swiftly withdrawing.
"Was the operation smooth?" Mark asked from behind Lynn.
"Smooth," Lynn nodded. "We found some very important evidence, but this is just the beginning. The cooperation between Charlie and Scott is far more complex than we imagined. The next task is to connect these pieces of evidence and uncover their true plan."
"I understand," Mark said. "Then we need to speed up; we can't give them time to react."
Lynn was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Next, we need to analyze these files as quickly as possible to see Charlie's true dealings and partners behind the scenes. Scott will definitely not be caught so easily; we must be extra careful."
They took the evidence collected from Charlie's home, quickly left the Villa, and disappeared into the night.
Hours later.
When Charlie stepped through the front door of his house, the corridor lights were dim, and the air carried a faint fresh scent, as if nothing had changed. However, his keen senses immediately detected something amiss. There were tiny Marks on the carpet by the door, clearly indicating someone had been there. The moment he entered the hall, he knew the place had been disturbed; someone had clearly been there. He didn't panic, nor did he show any anger, but rather calmly took off his coat and walked composedly towards his private office upstairs.
Secretary Lily stood at the door, her eyes full of worry. She watched Charlie's unhurried steps, feeling even more uneasy. She quickly walked towards him, her voice slightly urgent: "Sir, the house… it seems to have been searched. Look, all the documents have been moved, and things on the desk are missing. Did the FBI come?"
Upon hearing this, a subtle smile appeared on Charlie's lips. He stopped and slowly turned to look at Lily. "Don't worry," he said, his tone calm and confident, "That was just something I intentionally left for the FBI to see."
Lily froze, completely unable to understand what Charliemeant. She frowned at him, seemingly trying to find a trace of unease or panic in his eyes, but saw nothing. Charlie's gaze remained deep, and the smile on his lips grew more confident, as if telling her that everything was under control.
"You mean… you intentionally let them search my house?" Lily's voice trembled slightly, unable to believe Charliewould do such a thing. "But doing that will expose some of our affairs, what if they really find something…"
Charlie smiled slightly and shook his head. "Lily, the FBI has been watching me for a long time. Do you think they don't know about the dealings between me and Scott? They've been searching for clues, but just haven't found the evidence." He said, stepping towards the office upstairs, "All this is just to make them lower their guard, to give them some false impressions. To tell them that I am indeed doing some things they consider suspicious, but at the same time, intentionally not leaving enough evidence. This way, they will focus more on these false leads and overlook what's truly important."
Lily was stunned, her mind filled with shock and confusion. Charlie, she knew, had always been incredibly intelligent and profound, every step in business calculated with extreme precision. But today, his words made her somewhat disbelieving. "Are you… taking too much of a risk by doing this? What if the FBI really starts a deeper investigation and discovers something they shouldn't know…"
Charlie stood by the window, gazing out at the city, his eyes piercing through the night sky. His silhouette, elongated by the light, appeared particularly stark. "Lily," he turned around, slowly saying, "I am not afraid of the FBI's investigation. On the contrary, I am waiting for them to investigate deeply, waiting for them to fully believe in the dealings between me and Scott, waiting for them to feel they have found a breakthrough. This way, they will become even more engrossed in these false leads and will not pay attention to my true plan."
Lily was somewhat lost, clearly still not fully grasping Charlie's intentions. Charlie walked towards her, his voice becoming even lower: "You must remember, Lily, the FBI's investigation cannot reveal everything. Their wisdom is limited, and the resources and information I possess far exceed their imagination." He paused slightly, his gaze sharp, "I am playing a game of chess, and the FBI are merely pieces on the board; they cannot see the whole picture."
Lily was somewhat stunned, standing there unsure how to respond. She didn't understand what kind of game Charlie was playing. Only, she had begun to realize that this seemingly calm man harbored far more unfathomable depths than she could comprehend.
"So, what do we do now?" Lily asked cautiously.
A faint smile appeared on Charlie's face, and a hint of coldness flickered in his eyes. "Now, we begin the second phase of the plan. The FBI's attention will be completely focused on these false leads we've set up, and what we need to do is continue to advance our true plan until everything is complete."
"But what about Scott?" Lily couldn't help but ask. "He's out there now, not contacting you, won't that…"
"I will handle Scott's matters myself," Charlie interrupted her, his gaze firm. "Everything he is doing now is under my control. You don't need to worry; his every move is within my expectations. I gave him tasks, letting him complete the work we need, and I remain the true controller behind the scenes."
Charlie turned and walked to his desk, picking up a file at random, his eyes scanning the pre-planned steps and strategies. "This plan cannot be interfered with by anyone," he murmured. "Scott is merely a tool; the ultimate victory belongs to me."
Lily still felt uneasy but knew it was not the time to question Charlie. She took a deep breath, deciding to trust that he had considered everything. "Alright then, we'll proceed as planned. Whatever you say, I will do."
"Very good," Charlie smiled faintly, his eyes deep. "Now, we begin the second step: give the FBI an even bigger illusion, letting them delve deeper into our fog."
At the same time, Lynn and Mark had already used FBI resources to track some of Charlie's recent suspicious activities and financial flows. However, Charlie was clearly prepared; their every tracking step encountered immense resistance.
The next morning, Lynn and Mark sat in the command center at FBI Headquarters, the table piled high with Charlie-related documents and files. The sunlight from the large windows outside streamed in, illuminating the table in a chaotic mess. Although they had found some seemingly valuable evidence last night, Lynn still couldn't suppress his inner anxiety—he felt that everything might have gone too smoothly, as if something was wrong.
Lynn picked up a document, which contained the information he had brought back from Charlie's house last night. Those financial transaction records, photos, and documents had once made him feel he had found a breakthrough. The relationship between Charlie and Scottseemed to have been exposed, and there were many suspicious aspects to the flow of funds; everything pointed to a large-scale illegal transaction network, and the cooperation between Charlie and Scott was undoubtedly deep.
However, as more evidence was collected and analyzed, Lynn gradually grew uneasy. Reflecting carefully, his analysis of those documents might have been too hasty. Now, sitting in the command center, he had begun to realize that behind those so-called "evidence" seemed to hide a deeper trap.
"Lynn, what's wrong?" Mark walked over, noticing that Lynn's face didn't show its usual determination and confidence, but rather some fatigue. He stood next to Lynn, looking at the documents on the table. "Do you think there's a problem?"
Lynn didn't respond immediately, but instead opened a folder on the table and began to meticulously re-examine the previous records and photographs. "We've been played by Charlie," his voice was low, his brows tightly furrowed.
Mark froze for a moment, clearly not expecting Lynn to say that. "You mean, that evidence is fake?" He sounded somewhat incredulous.
Lynn nodded, his eyes fixed on the transaction records. "These documents and photos all look very real, but there's one thing that's not right." He pointed to one of the fund transfer records. "These fund flows seem reasonable, even consistent with what Alan said. But if you analyze carefully, you'll find that the date and time of each payment have been carefully arranged, seemingly to intentionally expose these clues to us, giving us a false impression."
Chapter 314 A global conspiracy
"Intentionally leaving clues?" Mark frowned. "Are you saying Charlie knew we would investigate these things and deliberately put on a disguise?"
"Exactly." Lynn pondered for a moment. "I thought too simply before. How could someone as smart as Charlienot have anticipated that we would trace these financial flows? These pieces of evidence seem perfect, but a careful analysis reveals that the data in the documents is illogical. Some transactions did not go through formal bank clearing but flowed through an underground channel we hadn't encountered before."
Mark took a deep breath, realizing the seriousness of the situation. "So, Charlie deliberately set this trap to make us mistakenly believe that his cooperation with Scott had been exposed."
Lynn nodded, his voice heavy. "We were intentionally led in the wrong direction. Charlie knew we were tracking him; he had long anticipated that we would dig up these clues, and then deliberately scattered some false information in front of us. He knew from the beginning that such evidence would make us think Scott's transactions had been revealed, and as a result, we fell for his trick."
Mark was silent for a moment, thinking about Lynn's words. "So, what do we do next? If this evidence is unreliable, where should we start our next investigation?"
"We need to re-examine all the clues." Lynn stood up and began rummaging through the documents. "The path we followed before wasn't entirely correct. Now, the only way is to go back to the original source and find out Charlie's true financial flows. We need to find the clues that didn't appear in the documents."
Lynn took a deep breath, his gaze becoming more determined. "We need to start with Charlie's core partners, especially those high-level networks. Since Charlie knew we would search these materials, he must have hidden the real evidence even deeper."
Mark nodded. "Okay, let's start over. First, let's start with Charlie's partners and see if we can find more compelling evidence."
Just as Lynn and Mark were about to continue their investigation, the phone suddenly rang. Lynn looked at the caller ID; it was the head of the FBI's technical department, and he quickly answered the call.
"Lynn, there's a change in the situation. We just monitored a new piece of information through the cybersecurity system." The head of the technical department's voice was urgent. "Charlie's account made an unusually large transfer in the past few hours. We didn't intervene immediately because this transaction seemed to have gone through very complex hidden means."
Lynn's eyes narrowed. "Large transfer? Where did it go?"
"We currently cannot fully confirm the destination of the funds, but what is certain is that this transaction did not go through any traditional financial channels. This is likely a transaction between Charlie and some underground organizations. We have started tracking it, but we need your further intervention."
Lynn's heart rate quickened; this was clearly a breakthrough for them to re-examine the case. "Okay, keep tracking it and give me a detailed report. Mark and I are going to Charlie's private network center now to see if we can find more specific clues there."
Lynn hung up the phone and turned to Mark. "The latest clue is here. Transactions between Charlie and some underground organizations are underway. This is exactly where we must investigate deeply."
Mark immediately expressed support. "Understood, let's go now."
The two quickly left FBI Headquarters and drove to Charlie's private network center. This area was surrounded by many high-tech enterprises and private companies. Generally speaking, the security systems in such places were very strict, and monitoring facilities and data protection measures were very well implemented. Charlie obviously did not want to leave any traces, and his private network center was one of the cores of his behind-the-scenes transactions. Lynn knew that this was the most likely place to uncover Charlie's true plan.
By the time they arrived at their destination, it was already evening. The city skyline looked exceptionally beautiful under the afterglow of the sunset, but Lynn's heart was filled with a sense of oppression. They walked into the walled complex, entering a high-security area where several uniformed guards outside watched them, seemingly accustomed to the arrival of Lynn and his team.
"This is Charlie's private network center; we must be careful," Lynn whispered to Mark. "Charlie must have set up many obstacles, and we cannot let them know we are investigating."
Mark nodded, silently preparing his equipment. The two cautiously entered the building, walking through deserted corridors where there was almost no one around. Lynnhad heard many times that the security system here was extremely complex, but he believed that with the FBI's resources, they would find a breakthrough.
Entering the main control room of the data center, Lynn's gaze quickly swept over the monitoring screens, confirming the data transmission routes. This data flowed globally, and almost every line was encrypted and protected, but Lynn was accustomed to such complex environments.
"Here." Mark suddenly pointed to a screen, which displayed a high-risk fund transfer record. Lynn narrowed his eyes; the flow of this fund aroused his vigilance.
"The amount of this transaction is too large, far exceeding Charlie's previous transaction scale." Lynn frowned, pointing to the record. "We need to decipher this data as soon as possible to see its specific target."
Mark quickly operated the computer, decrypting the data. The data on the screen gradually unlocked, and a few seconds later, Mark's finger stopped at a key node: "This is… a fund flow route to an international bank account." He whispered, his eyes filled with surprise. "This money did not go into Charlie's account but flowed into an unmonitored mysterious account."
Lynn's gaze became sharper; he leaned closer to the computer screen, pointing to a line of content: "Who is the owner of this account?"
"We need to track further; there is almost no record of this account's information externally." Mark stared at the screen. "But I think this is likely a connection between Charlie and a larger international criminal group."
Lynn took a deep breath, and an idea flashed through his mind: "This is the ultimate breakthrough in Charlie and Scott's cooperation. We must act quickly and find the person behind this mysterious account."
Lynn and Mark continued to stare at the data on the screen, and the atmosphere in the entire office became increasingly tense. Time seemed to stretch, every second filled with a sense of oppression. Mark's fingers flew across the keyboard, occasionally checking the data on the screen, trying to find more clues.
"This data is too complex." Mark gritted his teeth, almost muttering to himself. "There is no traceable real-name information behind the account; it is completely hidden through intermediaries."
Lynn's brows furrowed deeply, clearly growing more uneasy about this discovery. "Are you saying there are almost no identifiable clues behind this account? How can we find any trace from this?"
"Exactly." Mark nodded. "This account is almost in a black hole; it has no conventional bank records and no direct fund flows. All transactions are conducted through multiple virtual accounts, transferred layer by layer, with no direct correlation whatsoever."
Lynn's gaze became even heavier. "This is Charlie's method. Layered concealment, making it difficult for even ordinary investigation methods to find clues. It seems we must change our approach and dig deeper."
"What do you plan to do?" Mark asked, stopping his operations and turning to look at Lynn.
"We need to find some witnesses more directly related to Charlie." Lynn's voice was low and firm. "The flow of these funds is too secretive; we cannot track it through the regular financial system. We have to rely on more special clues, such as Charlie's partners, or his social network."
Mark's eyebrows raised slightly. "Are you saying to find Charlie's old friends? Or those who might have cooperated with him?"
"Yes." Lynn nodded. "Charlie's business empire must have a group of core figures who follow him. If we can find someone among them who can provide direct evidence, that will be the breakthrough. Moreover, I feel that Charlie's connections with those underground organizations are far more complex than we anticipated."
Mark pondered for a moment, seemingly realizing Lynn's meaning. "Are you saying that Charlie has a larger force supporting him, possibly even including some unknown gangs or international criminal organizations?"
"Completely possible." Lynn said coldly. "The support behind these fund flows may not be simple. Charlie is a smart man; he is not just a business magnate, but more like a Commander in a carefully laid out grand chess game. And what we are facing now is not just the dark side of finance, but a global conspiracy."
Mark took a deep breath. "So what do we do next? How do you plan to find these people?"
Lynn did not answer immediately but picked up a photo from the table. The photo showed Charlie with a group of people at a high-end dinner party. Lynn's gaze was fixed on one figure in the photo; this person did not seem striking, but Lynn felt he was not simple.
"I have seen this person in some intelligence reports." Lynn pointed to the figure in the photo. "He is Charlie's private consultant, Jack Kane, who worked in finance for many years and also has extensive connections with some high-level political figures."
Mark's eyes lit up. "Jack Kane? I remember he was a financial expert; he participated in some political donations and cross-border corporate mergers."
"Exactly." Lynn nodded. "Kane is not just Charlie's consultant; he has also been active in some more hidden financial circles. We must find him and see if he can provide more information about the cooperation between Charlie and Scott."
"However, Jack Kane is somewhat mysterious." Markfrowned. "He has always disliked public appearances, and his relationship with Charlie has always been very low-key."
"The more low-key he is, the more we should pay attention to him." Lynn's eyes were sharp. "The more a person hides behind the scenes, the more important their role often is. Kane must know many secrets that we don't."
"So we go find him now?" Mark asked.
"Yes." Lynn nodded. "I have arranged for several informants to locate Kane; we need to find him as soon as possible."
A few hours later, Lynn and Mark met again in a small conference room at the FBI. Several photos and documents were spread out in front of Lynn, and Markhad already obtained some of the latest intelligence on Jack Kane.
"We found him." Mark looked up, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "Kane recently appeared at a private club in Los Angeles. According to our informants, he had contact with some political figures and business leaders."
"Los Angeles?" Lynn pondered for a moment. "The social circles here are complex; Kane is likely using this opportunity to maintain contact with other powerful people. We must quickly get to Los Angeles, find Kane, and clarify his true relationship with Charlie."
Mark quickly organized the documents. "We have already contacted the local FBI team, and they are ready to cooperate with our operation."
Lynn nodded. "Let's go; we can't waste time."
In the evening, the plane carrying Lynn and Mark finally landed at Los Angeles Airport. With the assistance of the local FBI, they quickly arrived near the private club Kane frequented. This place was located in the high-end commercial district of downtown Los Angeles, surrounded by luxurious hotels and high-end shopping centers. The club's exterior was understated and luxurious, and the security system at the entrance was very strict.
"It looks like the security here is even more complex than at Charlie's house." Mark frowned. "Breaking in directly is not realistic; we need to find a hidden way."
Lynn observed the surroundings, his gaze fixed on a small alley entrance next to the club. "We can go around through this alley and try to avoid attracting attention."
They cautiously passed through the alley and arrived at the club's back door. After confirming that no one was around, Lynn took out a special device and easily bypassed the electronic lock on the back door. The two quickly entered and began to search for Kane's traces along the corridor.
The corridor lights were dim, and the air was filled with a strong scent of perfume and smoke. Lynn and Mark kept a low profile, treading lightly, until they reached the door of a quiet room. Low voices came from inside the room; clearly, people were talking.
Lynn motioned for Mark to be quiet, and the two quietly approached the door, eavesdropping through the crack. Hearing a familiar voice, Lynn frowned slightly. "That's Kane's voice."
"Are you sure he will give me that document?" Kane's voice was calm and low.
"Don't worry, Charlie has agreed; he trusts You," another voice replied. "We just need to wait for the right moment to proceed with the next step."
"Next step?" Kane's tone became more composed. "Are you talking about that plan? I tell You, this time it's not as simple as before. Charlie's partners have started to waver, and anyone can become a potential threat. We must deal with everything as quickly as possible, without any mistakes."