The Unveiling of Secret Queen

Violetta Hoffman felt a bit embarrassed to say more, so she just said: ”I don’t want to bother you. But, at The First Research Institute, the director has the final say. He’s currently in the hospital, so I have no choice but to turn to you.”

Alfred Garland came out with two cups of coffee, placed them on the table, and greeted the girl: ”Ms. Quinlan, you’re back. Let me brew a cup of coffee for you; what flavor would you like?”

Nathalie Quinlan glanced at the thick stack of folders Orson Saban brought, rubbed the center of her brow, and declined: ”No need, I don’t drink.”

She didn’t put anything down and headed straight to the second floor, saying to Orson Saban and Violetta Hoffman as she went: ”Come with me.”

Orson Saban and Violetta Hoffman grabbed their belongings and followed her to the second floor.

...

Sadam Vinson watched the two go upstairs, clicked his tongue, and turned to Amadeus Yancey and Alfred Garland, saying: ”Nathalie is becoming the director of The First Research Institute soon.”

Too damn impressive!

Amadeus Yancey took off his coat and draped it over the sofa.

Sadam Vinson’s eyes turned, and he looked at him, speaking earnestly: ”Amadeus, aren’t you going to make more effort? Why do I feel that if Nathalie keeps rising like this, someone will be competing with you for the freeloading position?”

”Who’s that from Maybelissa...” He unwisely brought up Khendy Lordon.

Amadeus Yancey was wearing only a black shirt underneath, the one Nathalie bought for him in McKinney. He was carefully rolling up the cuffs, revealing a segment of strong, fair arm. Upon hearing, he shot a killing glare at the chatterbox: ”Thinking about going back to Beijing?”

Sadam Vinson sensibly shut his mouth, clutching his injured arm, muttering softly: ”I haven’t successfully pursued that someone yet; I don’t want to go back now. If I go back, my family will just nag me to get married. I’d rather stay here, free and unrestrained, away from any meddling.”

Alfred Garland brewed a cup of coffee and placed it in front of the man, sneakily stealing a glance at the downcast Sadam Vinson, unable to understand why he persistently provoked Amadeus despite being punished every time.

”Amadeus, your coffee.”

Amadeus Yancey sat down on the sofa, opened the lid of the sugar box, picked a sugar cube, tossed it into the cup, stirred it with a spoon, and seemed lost in thought.

Suddenly, he looked up and asked Alfred Garland: ”How much progress have you made in investigating the K Organization I asked you to check?”

Three days ago, Amadeus had instructed Alfred Garland to look into the K Organization.

It’s been a full three days now.

Alfred Garland put down the tray, stood straight, and with a serious demeanor, said: ”The K Organization is the world’s largest mercenary group. They only take jobs through the black market. Like Red Alliance, they don’t take all assignments; they select certain jobs they are willing to undertake, and the selection criteria aren’t necessarily based on money.”

”Huh, interesting.” Sadam Vinson interjected: ”A mercenary group that doesn’t base its task selection on money? Then what do they base it on? Mood? Weather?”

Alfred Garland glanced at him and continued: ”I don’t know what they base it on either. Previously, the K Organization’s style was just like any other mercenary group; they took jobs based on pay, whoever paid the most, they worked for. Until 20 years ago, their leader suddenly disappeared, and the K Organization was in a leaderless chaotic state for a long time.”

”However, this state abruptly changed a few years ago as they gained a mysterious leader. All these new rules were set by the new leader, and which jobs the K Organization accepts is decided by him.”