American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

Alan seemed lost in thought, gripping the edge of the table with both hands, and said in a low voice, "Scott never explicitly stated his relationship with Charlie, but he did mention some of the details of the deals. He said their collaboration had been going on for a long time, covering a wide range of areas, even including some national government projects. The source of the funds for Charlie's collaboration was very secretive, and the flow of money was extremely complex. Scott told me at the time that his plan wasn't just for immediate gains, but to carry out a massive financial reshuffle globally, which might even affect the change of regimes."

Lynn frowned, his mind reeling. This information was far more serious than he had imagined. Scott's plan was not just a simple arms deal; it could involve global political and economic turmoil. If Charlie truly had such a deep collaboration with Scott, then the resources and influence they controlled would far exceed the FBI's capabilities.

"How deeply involved was Charlie in all of this?" Lynn's voice was low. "Did you have the opportunity to know more details at the time?"

Alan took a deep breath and tried to recall: "Charlie was one of the masterminds behind the scenes. He almost never appeared in person. All the transactions and plans were carried out through intermediaries. Scott was just one of the executors, responsible for completing the specific tasks. But I know that Charlie controlled all the flow of funds behind the scenes, and even had some political support. Scott's ultimate goal may not just be arms deals, but to use these resources to influence the world economic landscape."

Lynn remained silent for a moment, his mind racing through the information. He knew that every word Alan had said implied a far larger conspiracy behind Scott. This plan involved more than just the financial sector; it could have a profound impact on the global political and economic system. If these clues could be traced further, they might uncover the true connection between Scott and Charlie and dismantle this global conspiracy network.

“Can you tell me more?” Lynn finally spoke, his gaze still firm. “What were your and Scott’s roles in these deals? Is there any more information you can provide?”

Alan's expression grew more complex. He lowered his head, seemingly lost in deep thought. After a while, he raised his head and slowly said, "All I know is that Scott's plan has entered its final stage. He intends to expand his influence through the financial support of the tycoon Charlie, involving projects such as 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 comparable to that of any head of state."

Lynn's heart raced again. This information was simply shocking; the relationship between Scott and Charlie was far more unfathomable than he had ever imagined. If these plans succeeded, the entire world order could be altered. And Alan, as Scott's right-hand man, clearly knew far too much he shouldn't have.

“Can you help us track these things down?” Lynn asked eagerly. “If you really want to break free from Scott’s control, help us and you will no longer be a pawn, but a free man.”

Alan was silent for a moment, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes. He raised his head, his gaze resolute: "I think I finally understand." He said softly, "I once chose Scott's power, but now I understand that these so-called powers do not belong to me at all, but are shackles that bind me."

Lynn nodded slightly, a sense of relief washing over her.

“With the clues you’ve provided, Alan, everything can start from here,” Lynn said. “Scott’s plan will not succeed.”

The following morning, Lynn and Mark sat in the FBI's main conference room. Sunlight streamed through the windows, carrying a slight chill in the air. Lynn's face was expressionless; his eyes remained calm and focused. He had already turned to the file on Charlie in the folder in his hand. 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 unintentionally misled by Scott, or he might only know part of the truth. To ensure the complete destruction of Scott's plan, solid evidence was essential, and Charlie, as a link in Scott's conspiracy, was absolutely key to unraveling it all.

“Charlie has always been a mysterious figure in the global financial world,” Lynn said in a low voice, his eyes sweeping over a photograph on the folder. It was Charlie’s latest public image, and although he looked like just a seasoned financial tycoon, Lynn knew that the power behind Charlie far exceeded what he appeared to be. As one of the world’s largest conglomerates, Charlie’s influence in international politics and economics was unfathomable. And the cooperation between Scott and Charlie was clearly not just about financial transactions on the surface; it might involve more illicit deals, and even regime change and the reshaping of the global economic order.

Mark frowned at Lynn. "While the information Alan provided is valuable, he was Scott's tool, so its credibility is questionable. How do you plan to begin investigating Charlie?"

“First, we need to confirm all of Charlie’s business activities, especially his transactions and investments in recent years.” Lynn said, pulling out a spreadsheet listing several of Charlie’s companies and his collaborations with other business tycoons. “Charlie appears to be a business magnate, but there may be more covert asset operations behind the scenes. The collaboration between Scott and him is probably not limited to the surface-level financial transactions.” Lynn paused, his gaze sweeping over Mark. “We need to find a starting point in his assets to see if there are any signs of unexplained capital inflows, especially in areas such as the military and regime change.”

Mark nodded. "I understand. You want to break down the connection between him and Scott by tracking the flow of funds. This method may take time, but if you can find the money laundering network behind Charlie, you can destroy Scott's foundation in one fell swoop."

“That’s right,” Lynn replied, “but we can’t let our guard down. Charlie’s financial transactions are very secretive, exploiting financial systems and legal loopholes around the world. If we only look at the surface, it’s difficult to find a direct connection between him and Scott. We need other clues, and perhaps we can find more evidence in Charlie’s private life.”

“His private life?” Mark asked, somewhat puzzled. “Charlie’s private life has always been kept very private, with almost no information leaking out. If we only focus on his personal life, we might not make any breakthroughs.”

Lynn smiled slightly, his gaze becoming even more determined: "Precisely because Charlie's private life is so well protected, we need to look for clues all the more. His private life may be a side he is hiding. Only by starting with the people around him can we find a path to Scott."

Max paused for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. You mean, start with Charlie's social circle and see if we can find anyone who has been in contact with Scott?" "That's right," Lynn replied. "As a tycoon, Charlie must have had contact with many important figures in politics and business. Even if he doesn't have a direct connection with Scott, some indirect clues between them will definitely give us away. We just need to search patiently."

Lynn opened a document on the table and began listing several of Charlie's key collaborators, including business tycoons and important figures in global politics. These individuals might provide valuable clues to help them get closer to the deeper relationship between Charlie and Scott.

Meanwhile, Lynn was also making other preparations. He decided to personally investigate Charlie's private residence. He knew that although Charlie's wealth appeared glamorous on the surface, there must be a large number of undisclosed transactions hidden behind it. Lynn and Mark quickly discussed their investigation plan, deciding to approach it from two different directions to ensure they didn't miss any potential clues.

“We’ll begin our operation first thing tomorrow morning. You continue investigating Charlie’s business dealings, while I’ll go to Charlie’s residence. We need to find any lead that directly connects Scott and Charlie,” Lynn concluded.

The next morning, Lynn went to Charlie's private residence as agreed. It was a luxurious villa located in the suburbs, surrounded by high walls and a surveillance system. The villa's exterior was simple and elegant, and the courtyard was shaded by green trees, giving it a sense of isolation from the outside world. Lynn, dressed casually, approached the gate silently and began to carefully observe the surroundings.

The security guard at the gate had already noticed Lynn's approach; he raised his head slightly, appearing somewhat wary. Lynn didn't immediately approach, but instead stood in a nearby café, pretending to be passing by casually. His eyes remained fixed on the villa's main entrance, watching for any unusual movements.

A moment later, Lynn saw a man in a suit walk out of the villa; he was clearly Charlie's personal assistant. Lynn immediately focused his attention on him. The man looked very familiar; he must be one of Charlie's regular employees. Lynn quietly followed him, avoiding the surveillance cameras around the villa.

The man went into a nearby shop, and Lynn followed him inside. The shop was bustling with people, and Lynn cautiously approached the man, trying to remain inconspicuous and avoid attracting his attention. In a corner of the shop, Lynn noticed the man talking to several people, clearly handling some private matters.

Lynn stood quietly a short distance away, listening intently to their conversation. Although the voices were not clear, one of them suddenly caught his attention. "Tomorrow's handover will proceed as planned. Remember, this deal involves a significant amount of money, and Scott has already agreed," the man said in a low voice, his tone urgent.

Lynn's heart skipped a beat; he immediately realized that this deal was definitely related to Scott. He quickly jotted down this information and continued to pay attention to the following conversation.

However, just then, the bell at the shop entrance rang. Lynn quickly turned around and saw a man in a black trench coat walk in. His steps were rapid, and his eyes were alert, as if he were searching for something. Lynn knew he might have been exposed, so he decisively turned around and quickly left the shop.

He quickened his pace, trying to shake off the man's pursuit, and quickly contacted Mark to report. Through this chance encounter, Lynn had confirmed that Scott and Charlie's deal was far more complex than they had imagined. Finding more clues about this deal might reveal the full extent of the deep relationship between Scott and Charlie.

He quickly dialed Mark's number: "Mark, I've found a crucial lead near Charlie's private residence. The collaboration between Scott and Charlie is more extensive than we previously thought. The next step is to obtain the details of the transaction as soon as possible, confirming the flow of funds and the specifics."

"Understood. I will start compiling the data immediately and obtain Charlie's financial information as soon as possible," Mark's voice came through, filled with urgency.

The following 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 tycoon, was preparing a private party for important figures from the business and political worlds, and Charlie would be temporarily leaving his luxurious suburban villa.

Lynn knew this opportunity presented a rare chance for them to break through. If they could sneak into Charlie's residence while he was away and search for his connections with Scott, or even those confidential transaction documents, they might find more clues to expose their conspiracy. At this point, the situation allowed no further delay; Lynn could wait any longer.

“The party starts tonight,” Lynn said to Mark beside him. “Charlie will be leaving his residence temporarily. Although he has bodyguards with him, his house should be less guarded for the time being. We can take this opportunity to get in.”

Mark nodded silently, his brow still furrowed, looking somewhat hesitant: "Breaking into Charlie's house is very risky. If we're discovered, the consequences could be dire. Besides, his house's security system isn't as simple as we think."

Lynn didn't respond immediately; his thoughts were racing. Indeed, Charlie's residence was heavily guarded, but this also meant Charlie was extremely vigilant about his safety, suggesting that things behind him might be more complex, requiring even stronger security measures. And this was precisely Lynn's forte—concealment, precision, and speed. As long as he seized the opportunity and found solid evidence, any difficulty could be overcome. (End of Chapter)