14: Chapter 14 What? The CIA suspects I'm developing biological weapons?

"Boss, three black Chevrolet Suburbans are parked at the entrance, no license plates." Alice stood behind the blinds, her ice-blue pupils constricting slightly as a massive stream of data flashed through her eyes. "Twelve people got out, all wearing gray suits, earpieces, with hard objects bulging under their armpits. Facial recognition shows... no record of these people."

No record?

If no information could be found even in Alice's global database, there was only one possibility.

These people were ghosts, specialists in doing dirty work.

Alice's fingers tapped lightly in the air, and the entire factory's operation mode switched instantly.

The main gates opened.

The person who walked in wasn't a balding uncle from the IRS, but a middle-aged white man with graying hair and eyes as sharp as a hawk's. He wore a well-tailored trench coat and held a thin file in his hand. The oppressive aura cultivated from years of holding a high position permeated the entire office as he approached.

"Mr. Chen Yuan?"

The man didn't reach out his hand; instead, he threw the file directly onto the table. "I am James from the IRS Special Investigation Division. We suspect your company of serious tax evasion and... money laundering."

"The IRS?"

He pointed at the small black box on James's waist that was still flashing a red light.

James froze for a moment, then laughed.

That feigned politeness vanished instantly, replaced by a naked scrutiny and threat. He pulled over a chair and sat down, leaning forward, his gray eyes staring intently at Chen Yuan.

"Since you're a smart man, I won't beat around the bush."

James pulled a transparent evidence bag from his pocket, containing a bottle of purple "Dali."

"Did you make this thing?"

"It's one of my... energy drinks." Chen Yuan shrugged.

He slammed the table hard, the sound making the teacups hum:

"Mr. Chen, you call this a drink? This is a damn biological stimulant! It's military-grade contraband! I have reason to suspect you are using this Pharmaceutical Factory to secretly manufacture biological weapons!"

That was quite a heavy accusation.

If he didn't deflect it, this accusation could crush Chen Yuan and bury him in Guantanamo Bay prison.

"Agent James, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say whatever you want."

The smile on Chen Yuan's face vanished, replaced by the anger of being insulted. He stood up, hands propped on the desk, staring back at James without backing down.

"You say this is a biological weapon? Where's the evidence? Just because it works well?"

"I am a law-abiding businessman dedicated to the research of human life sciences. My product is effective because I've mastered core technology, not because I'm involved in terrorism!"

"Evidence?"

James narrowed his eyes. "I've already brought a search warrant. I have the right to search every corner of this factory, including your basement. If I find even a shred of evidence... Chen, you'll be spending the rest of your life in prison."

Having said that, he gave a broad wave of his hand.

The dozen or so agents outside immediately dispersed, carrying various sophisticated detection instruments. Like a pack of well-trained hounds, they lunged toward every area of the factory.

Chen Yuan didn't stop them; instead, he stepped aside and made a "please" gesture.

"Search as you please."

He turned to look at Alice, a hint of indiscernible cunning flashing in his eyes. "Alice, take Mr. James to our 'Core Laboratory' for a tour. Let him see what true... high technology looks like."

James gave Chen Yuan a suspicious look but followed anyway.

He didn't believe this young man could hide his tracks so cleanly in such a short time. If biological experiments were being conducted, there would definitely be residues, waste, and those monsters that couldn't see the light of day.

However, when the elevator doors opened on the second basement floor, James was dumbfounded.

There were no bloody dissection tables as he had imagined, no petri dishes containing deformed monsters, and no pungent smell of formalin.

What appeared before him was a pristine, futuristic, top-tier biological laboratory.

Researchers in sterile suits (actually humanoid robots controlled by Alice) were busy at precision instruments. Complex double-helix structures scrolled across massive display screens, and the air was filled with the faint scent of disinfectant.

"This..."

James's mouth hung open. The Geiger counter and chemical detectors in his hands were as silent as a grave, with no alarms triggered.

"This is where we developed 'Dali'."

Chen Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, looking like a proud dean. "We extracted active enzymes from deep-sea organisms and combined them with herbal extraction techniques from traditional Chinese medicine. Every step strictly complies with FDA standards. If you don't believe me, you can look at our experimental data."

Alice timely handed over a tablet.

On the screen was an outrageously detailed R&D log and clinical trial report. From molecular formulas to metabolic cycles, every bit of data was flawlessly perfect. There were even several signed papers published in The Lancet (newly generated, of course).

The more James read, the more alarmed he became.

How was this a shady workshop? This was practically a core laboratory for Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson!

Could it really be a mistake?

"No, impossible."

James gritted his teeth; he didn't believe his intuition could be wrong. The effect of that purple water was too overwhelming; it was definitely not something ordinary technology could achieve.

"Check! Check your database for me!"

He pulled out a satellite phone and connected directly to CIA headquarters in Langley. "I want all the information on this Chen Yuan! And the records for this Pharmaceutical Factory! Even if he wet the bed at age seven, I want those records dug up!"

Chen Yuan stood to the side, calmly adjusting his cuffs, even taking the time to ask Alice for a cup of coffee.

In his mind, the system interface was flashing frantically.

【Warning: External data intrusion in progress...】

【Countermeasure program initiated.】

【Red Queen AI has taken over the target network. Modifying underlying data...】

Thousands of kilometers away, in the server room at CIA headquarters, the red lights flashed wildly for a moment before returning to a normal green.

In just a single second, a massive amount of data was tampered with, overwritten, and rewritten.

"Sir..."

A technician's trembling voice came through James's earpiece. "We found it. This 'Umbrella Biotech'... is legal."

"What?" James was stunned.

"Not only is it legal, but... it was just added to the Department of Defense's 'Potential Partners' whitelist a week ago. Many of their technical patents are even a generation ahead of what we currently have."

The technician's voice was full of awe. "Sir, you might... really be investigating a legitimate high-tech company."

James's hand dropped weakly.

He looked at the sci-fi-like laboratory before him, then at the innocent-looking young man from the East. He felt like he had punched a bale of cotton—so frustrated he could spit blood.

He knew something was wrong, yet he couldn't find a single shred of evidence.

This feeling was terrible.

"Agent James, any further questions?"

Chen Yuan took a sip of coffee and walked over with a smile. "If it's about taxes, my CFO can have a long chat with you. If it's about the products... I'm also very happy to serve the country and provide our agents with some little 'refreshing' gifts."

This was blatant mockery.

James took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart.

He was a veteran and knew he had lost today. Continuing to push would only make him look worse, and he might even face disciplinary action for harassing a "Department of Defense partner."

"Very well, Mr. Chen."

James packed up the instruments, straightened his trench coat, and his face regained that typical cold indifference of an agent. "It seems there has been a misunderstanding. Your technology is indeed... impressive."

"However."

He walked up to Chen Yuan, the distance between them so close they were almost nose to nose, his voice low and cold:

"Don't think this is over. I'll be watching you. If you show even the slightest slip-up, I will personally send you to hell."

"Anytime."

Chen Yuan shrugged and politely extended his hand. "Take care. I won't see you out."

James didn't shake hands. He gave a cold snort and turned to leave with the group of black-clad agents.

Not until the elevator doors were completely closed and he confirmed they had left the factory grounds did Chen Yuan let out a long breath, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

That was close.

If Alice had been a second slower just now, or if there had been even a slight flaw in the laboratory's disguise, he would have been hauled onto a plane by now.

"Boss, they're gone."

Alice's voice returned to its usual calm. "However, that James made some small moves when he left the office."

Chen Yuan gave a cold laugh.

He walked quickly back to his office and went straight to his desk.

On the underside of the desk, in a blind spot absolutely invisible to the naked eye, a miniature bug was attached. It was only the size of a button, yet it still pulsed with a faint red light, like a prying eye.

"A leopard really can't change its spots."

Chen Yuan didn't remove the bug. Instead, he reached out and gently stroked the cold little device, a dangerous light gleaming in his eyes.

Want to eavesdrop on me?

Then I'll give you plenty to listen to.

"Alice."

Chen Yuan sat back in his chair and spoke to the bug in a code that only the two of them could understand:

"Since our guest left a gift, we should return the favor."

"Get ready. It's time to put our new product launch on the schedule. Since the CIA is so interested, let them be our... first audience."