Chapter 1309


    The two bodyguards had already climbed into the car, one assuming the role of driver.


    K said nothing, his gaze lingering on the suit jacket draped over Maja''s form.


    Maja was now deep in slumber.


    Ian simply stood there, watching the car disappear from view, his eyes shing with a sharp intensity.


    He turned to Fitch behind him.


    "Where''s Eric?" he asked.


    "He''s been detained," Fitch replied. "He still refuses to hand over the chip. Grandpa Bernard is starting


    to lose his patience."


    That chip was literally a lifeline for Patric, who certainly wouldn''t give it up easily.


    Once surrendered, Patric would never be able to leave that confined space, forever living under the


    watchful eyes of Bernard''s men.


    Ian climbed into his own car parked nearby.


    "I''m going to get Eric from Grandpa Bernard."


    Fitch''s pupils contracted sharply, his hand snatching at Ian''s car door.


    "Ian," he said urgently, "personal feelings aside, national interests alwayse first. Do you really think


    Grandpa Bernard will take your side? Eric is under the microscope of other nations too. How could


    Bernard possibly hand him over to you? And even if he did, do you think Eric would justply and let


    you pull the strings? Eric isn''t the man he used to be. If anything happens to him while he''s in your


    custody, it could be a devastating blow to the country."


    Ian simply nced at him, signaling with his eyes.


    "Get in."


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    Fitch fell silent.


    They had known each other for years and were well aware of each other''s temperament.


    The car headed straight for the secret zone.


    As they approached, the glint of sniper rifles reflected in the roadside, a clear warning.


    Any sign of trouble and both of them would be taken out in the car.


    Ian''s vehicle was special today, marked with a small g upfront, granting them ess to any


    confidential area.


    Upon reaching the grand hall, Ian pushed through the doors without hesitation.


    Several high-ranking officials seated inside all frowned at his entrance.


    But Ian walked straight up to Bernard.


    "Grandpa Bernard, I need to speak with you," he said.


    Bernard, d in a sharp tweed suit, gestured for the others to leave.


    Once the room was empty, he set down his cup of English breakfast tea.


    "Your actions just now could have gotten you shot several times over," he said sternly.


    The meeting in the grand hall was of high importance, potentially affecting a string of uing


    decisions. Intruders could be used of stealing national secrets.


    "Grandpa Bernard, I need Eric. I need him by my side."


    Bernard eyed him gravely.


    "Ian, because of your covert status in North America, I stand with you. But to the others, you''re


    insignificant here. Your brother is their focus. They''d sacrifice you for him in a heartbeat, do you


    understand? As one of the state, I can''t just hand over such a test subject. The secrets he carries could


    change the fate of a nation."


    "Grandpa Bernard, I''m begging you."


    Bernard had a soft spot for Ian, having watched him grow up, a friend of Ian''ste father, Holden, and


    appreciative of Ian''s military conduct. It was Bernard who, alongside Holden, had arranged Ian''s secret


    missions abroad, bypassing others. Now with Holden gone, only Bernard knew Ian''s secret identity.


    Frowning, Bernard rose to leave.


    Ian, desperate, followed him out.


    "Grandpa Bernard, Eric is the only one who''s been inside that research base. If I could go in there with


    him again, I know we''ve lost many brilliant minds there, but we must try. The base still exists, Eric just


    got lucky escaping. We know too little about it. Just grant me this, let Eric stay with me, and I will


    uncover the truth!"


    Ian''s plea was rapid, following Bernard out into the downpour.


    Bernard too was angry now.


    "Ian, stop this nonsense. I can''t hand over such significant intel to you, even if I wanted to."


    Ian knelt down.


    "Grandpa Bernard."


    But Bernard didn''t even nce back, leaving him in the rain.


    Fitch, holding an umbre, stood behind Ian.


    "Ian, go back," he said. "Even with Bernard''s trust, he can''t take such a risk. One wrong move, and he


    bes a viin of this nation. Besides, his position is coveted. At such a critical time, everyone wants


    stability."


    Ian remained kneeling, uttering only one sentence.


    "Fitch, go back without me."


    Fitch knew then; Ian''s mind was made up.


    The downpoursted two days, and for two days Ian knelt.


    At first, Bernard passed by without a pause.


    But on the second afternoon, seeing Ian''s unyielding figure, he became solemn.


    With a ck umbre and his tweed suit, Bernard approached slowly.


    Ian was soaked to the bone, his lips tinged with blue from the cold rain. He hadn''t eaten in two days,


    his stomach churning with hunger and pain, but he endured.