Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

The people at X Bureau were stunned for a moment, then erupted in chaos.

"What does this mean? Investigate us? What crimes have we committed?"

"Who are these people? Don't they know what X Bureau is?"

"Look at their combat uniforms, I've never seen those before. Can someone tell me what's going on?"

Linden had never seen Ruud's face before, but just from his demeanor, he guessed right away-this was the legendary General Praevion of their nation. However, he couldn't fathom why General Praevion would stage such a scene. After a brief silence, Linden stepped forward and saluted, "General Praevion!"

Ruud's dark eyes swept over him, his voice deep, "You are the Chief of Ashbury Subdivision, Linden?" His pace was unhurried, yet Linden felt an unprecedented pressure. Unconsciously, his back was soaked with sweat. Suppressing the internal pressure, he responded, "Yes."

General Ruud, a title personally bestowed by the nation's top leaders, answered to no department, only to the highest authority. In any department across the nation, the presence of General Praevion commanded a salute.

"Do you think you're fulfilling your duties as chief?" Ruud asked hurriedly, his imposing aura not diminishing, even heavier than before. Linden felt almost breathless under this intangible oppression, but after a moment, he looked up seriously and said, "I believe I am very diligent!"

"Diligent?" Ruud scoffed, "Out of thirty combat members in X Bureau, fifteen have exploited their power for personal gain. You call that diligent?" He took a step forward, stopping just a step away from Linden. His eagle-like eyes stared intently at Linden as if trying to see through him.

Linden's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately countered, "How is that possible? I might not know about others, but the people under my supervision in Ashbury Subdivision are definitely clean."

He had known about the issues within X Bureau early on, even his master was an undercover agent from GTO. After his master was exposed, he had thoroughly investigated everyone in X Bureau, and their backgrounds were clean.

Why would General Praevion say this? Ruud gave him a cold look, then turned around and stood in the center of X Bureau, surveying everyone like a king overseeing his subjects, "My name is Ruud. Starting today, I am taking full control of X Bureau Headquarters. Everyone from the Chief of the Bureau down to the janitors will undergo an investigation. No one is to leave until cleared."

With that, Ruud looked towards Linden and Christopher, "We will start with you two."

Then, two combat members surrounded Linden, saying with a righteous demeanor, "Please come with us."

Linden and Christopher's faces turned grim. Linden looked at Ruud, "What does this mean?"

"You chiefs have been too comfortable, have you gone deaf?" Ruud replied lightly. Linden was speechless. How infuriating!

He remembered someone else who was equally infuriating when they spoke. Yes, Tina! She had the same manner. Better silent, but a single word could be maddening!

Jared, who hadn't spoken for a long time, glanced at the two men whose faces were now ashen and said, "Chief Linden, Chief Christopher, better cooperate with the investigation."

Just as Linden was about to retort, Jared spoke, and he fell silent for a moment.

Ruud, who usually stayed on the battlefield and hardly returned to the country every decade, must have been acting on higher orders with such a grand entrance this time. Though technically X Bureau wasn't under his jurisdiction, his current forceful approach left no room for breath, indicating that a major shake-up was imminent for X Bureau.

Whose decision this was depended entirely on the government's intentions. As Linden understood the issue, he exchanged a glance with Christopher and declared, "We accept the investigation!" Immediately after, they followed the special forces soldiers and left. The remaining members of the X Bureau were stunned as they watched them go, without a moment to react. The soldiers acted swiftly, subdued them, and took them away. Within just ten minutes, only Jared and Ruud were left in the X Bureau.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Ruud approached Jared, his eyes piercing like an eagle's, and scanned him, "Are you the Farrell family kid?" Was this the young man his father valued and praised as a rare talent? Beyond his good looks, there seemed to be nothing exceptional about him. Logically, since Jared was favored by his father, Ruud's attitude should have been more favorable; however, for some reason, he found he simply didn't like the young man. He couldn't pinpoint exactly why. Respectfully, Jared spoke, "I am Jared Farrell, General Praevion."

Ruud, hands in his pockets, continued to stare intently at him, "I heard you poisoned my father recently?" He had already investigated thoroughly and knew Jared wasn't involved. Yet, something rebellious inside him wanted to trip Jared up. How could it be that he, a distinguished general of this nation, would harass a junior without just cause? It made no sense.

"Not at all," Jared responded calmly.

"Oh?" Seeing that Jared wasn't intimidated, Ruud actually grew to respect him a bit more. Jared maintained a fearless demeanor throughout, a trait that even Leo would be shaken by. Ruud, now intrigued, raised an eyebrow and asked, "If it wasn't you who poisoned him, you're still involved somehow. Tell me, who was it?"

Jared smirked slightly, "My wife told me that if I want to live long, I shouldn't meddle in other people's business, sorry, I have no insights!"

Ruud's stern face suddenly broke into a smile, "I didn't expect you to be afraid of your wife."

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"Yes, my upbringing was strict," Jared replied, still very polite.

Ruud ceased to converse further, instead taking a walk around the X Bureau. Suddenly, with a deep voice, he began, "I've looked into you and your wife."

Jared's eyes narrowed briefly, then settled as he waited for Ruud to continue.

"You both are geniuses. In the operation to capture the GTO boss, Five Poisons, you both contributed significantly, even deliberately releasing Dorothy Russell to draw out her backers. Your minds are indeed sharp..." Ruud's tone shifted abruptly, "But blind confidence is a direct path to self-destruction."

Jared's eyebrows knitted slightly as he looked up at Ruud.

"You think releasing Dorothy Russell and drawing out the person behind her will stop the GTO and the research into the elixir of immortality?" Ruud pulled up a chair and sat opposite Jared, legs crossed and face expressionless.

Jared's expression suddenly changed, and his initial respectful demeanor vanished, replaced by a dangerous aura, "What are you implying?" The matter of the elixir of immortality hadn't yet been reported to the government. It was a significant issue; he and Tina had planned to conduct experiments to verify if they could really produce the elixir before deciding to report it.

After all, such news, if leaked, could lead countless people to vie for the elixir, resorting to any means necessary. Apart from Five Poisons and Justin and their backer, only he and Tina knew. How did Ruud find out?