185: Chapter 185 It's not about betraying the country, it's that the Chen family is unworthy.

Director Zhao's brows were tightly locked, his fingers unconsciously rubbing against the sofa armrest.

His weathered face was filled with signs of difficulty.

"Chen Yuan, you must understand. The Jinghai Chen Family is not some ordinary nouveau riche. They are a so-called 'Century-Old Family.' Behind those four words lie countless intertwined lines of interest."

Director Zhao's voice was low, permeated with a heavy, weary aura.

"Without ironclad proof that can nail them to the guillotine, it is difficult for the country to take fatal action against them just because of the technology in your hands. After all, pulling one hair affects the whole body."

Hearing this, Chen Yuan didn't get angry; instead, he lowered his head and laughed.

The laughter echoed in the dead-silent reception room, carrying an indescribable sarcasm and contempt.

"Ironclad proof?"

Chen Yuan raised his head, his pitch-black eyes staring at Director Zhao.

"Uncle Zhao. You're talking to me about ironclad proof. Do you really think that these past few years abroad, I was just messing around with those lousy potions?"

Chen Yuan slowly raised his right hand.

He snapped his fingers in the air.

"Red Queen. Show our special envoy the shady dealings that the Head of the Chen Family and his 'face-swapping darling wife' have been up to."

As soon as he finished speaking.

"Hum—"

Above the previously empty sandalwood coffee table, several faint blue laser beams converged precisely.

A massive, cold-glowing holographic projection screen instantly took shape.

On the screen.

The first things to pop up were lists of extremely secretive overseas bank transfers.

The recipients were, without exception, all shell companies under the Japanese Fujiwara conglomerate.

Director Zhao's gaze froze.

His hands, which had held guns for years and were as steady as a rock, trembled imperceptibly for a split second as he picked up his teacup.

A cruel smile hung on the corner of Chen Yuan's mouth.

"Look here. This is a secret agreement signed privately between Chen Tianba and Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries three years ago, in order to secure the development rights for that energy base in Jinghai."

The image on the holographic projection changed rapidly.

A top-secret contract, stamped with a red official seal but printed with Japanese markings, was magnified infinitely.

"He sold China's future layout for new energy reserves to that bunch of scum who once invaded us, for less than 500 million USD."

Chen Yuan's voice was like an ice pick, piercing into Director Zhao's ears inch by inch.

"And this. Zhao Ya, also known as Fujiwara Masako. For the past twenty years, she has used the Chen Group's logistics network to secretly smuggle over three thousand tons of strategic rare metals to Japan."

A series of shocking numbers scrolled across the screen.

Every shipping order.

Every falsified customs declaration record.

All were like bloody holes the Chen Family had stabbed into the heart of the country.

Director Zhao's expression changed.

From his initial hesitation to extreme shock, and finally to a violent rage capable of burning everything away.

He stood up abruptly.

His breathing became extremely heavy, his chest heaving violently.

His bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at the evidence on the holographic screen, his teeth grinding with a clicking sound.

"Bastards... This bunch of turncoat bastards!"

Director Zhao slammed his fist onto the coffee table.

The coffee table, made of a special alloy, emitted a dull boom, causing the teacup to tip over.

The red tea dripped down the edge, looking exactly like the blood spilled by the Chen Family.

As a veteran of the national security System.

The thing he hated most in his life was traitors who sold out national interests.

And now.

That Chen Family, which in his eyes was corrupt but still considered honest.

Was actually engaging in such dirty business behind the scenes, cutting off the very Foundation of the country!

"This is the ironclad proof you wanted."

Chen Yuan leaned back into the sofa.

His posture was lazy, and he held an unlit cigar in his hand.

"Uncle Zhao. Do you still think that moving against the Chen Family will affect the whole body?"

Chen Yuan's tone was excessively calm.

"I don't think this is affecting the whole body. This is helping the country cut out a cancer cell growing on its heart."

He turned his head slightly, his gaze looking out the floor-to-ceiling window.

There, the sunset of San Verde was sinking bit by bit into the horizon.

"My mother was forced to her death by that pair of dogs back then precisely because she discovered this evidence."

Chen Yuan's voice suddenly became very soft.

It was so soft that it made Director Zhao feel a bone-chilling cold.

"So, don't talk to me about treason. Although I, Chen Yuan, now hold a British title, deep down, I still acknowledge that land."

"But the Chen Family... they are unworthy."

Director Zhao fell silent.

He stared fixedly at the constantly scrolling evidence of crimes on the screen, a massive storm rising in his heart.

Originally.

He thought this was just an exchange of interests. That the country was helping Chen Yuan settle some Family grievances in exchange for Advanced technology.

But now.

The nature of the matter had completely changed.

This was cleaning house. This was purging national traitors.

If what Chen Yuan provided was all true, then never mind the Jinghai Chen Family, even a Family one size larger would have to be wiped out within twenty-four hours!

Director Zhao took a deep breath.

He forcibly calmed the rage in his chest that was about to explode.

"Is the source of this data reliable?"

Chen Yuan sneered.

"Red Queen dug it out personally from the Japanese Cabinet's intelligence room. What do you think?"

Director Zhao hesitated no longer.

A flash of resolve crossed his eagle-like eyes.

He pulled a red, buttonless, specially made phone from the inner pocket of his jacket.

It was China's highest-level confidential direct line.

"Wait five minutes for me."

Director Zhao turned around and strode toward the terrace of the reception room.

His back appeared exceptionally heavy under the setting sun, carrying a decisiveness belonging to a soldier.

Chen Yuan sat on the sofa, waiting quietly.

Five minutes.

In the long history of humanity, this was just the blink of an eye.

But for that Jinghai Chen Family with its century-long Legacy.

These five minutes were the countdown to their destruction.

"Tick, tick, tick."

The wall clock in the reception room ticked rhythmically.

Chen Yuan looked at the cigar at his fingertips, the faint blue light in his eyes flickering uncertainly.

The prelude to revenge was finally reaching its climax at this moment.

"Tap, tap, tap."

Steady footsteps sounded again.

Director Zhao walked back into the living room.

The anger on his face had vanished, replaced once again by that unfathomable calmness.

Only.

The Killing Intent in his eyes was ten times more intense than before.

He walked to stand in front of Chen Yuan.

There was no superfluous nonsense.

Nor any probing.

Director Zhao took a deep breath.

He slowly extended his right hand, covered in calluses.

And held it suspended in mid-air.

This hand.

Represented the will of an ancient great power.

Represented a force capable of crushing all the darkness in this world.

"Chen Yuan. The higher-ups have replied."

Director Zhao looked into Chen Yuan's eyes, enunciating every word, his voice as low as thunder.

"The plan is approved."

"Within twenty-four hours, the Jinghai Chen Family will be wiped out completely."

"As for you."

Director Zhao's expression became unprecedentedly serious.

"I hope you... will not disappoint the motherland."

Chen Yuan looked at that hand covered in scars, and finally, a truly relaxed smile curled at the corners of his mouth.

He stood up.

Reached out his hand.

The two hands.

At this moment.

Crossed the ocean.

Crossed the rules.

Clasped together heavily.

"Pleasure doing business with you."