88: Chapter 88 Released in court, infuriating that bald detective.

The wind on the runway was a bit noisy at this moment.

James stared intently at the woman before him; his smug old face had turned the color of ripe pig liver.

The flash of bright red high heels stepping on the gray asphalt runway was so dazzling it made one's heart race with unease.

"Miss... Ivanka."

James practically squeezed the words through his teeth, "I think you've made a mistake. This is a classified FBI operation involving national security."

"Classified? Security?"

Ivanka let out a contemptuous sneer.

She pulled a document bearing the Senate's embossed seal from her Hermes handbag.

Her movements were elegant.

Yet full of dominance.

"Agent James, this is an Immunity Order just issued by the Federal Senate."

She slapped the document against James's chest, "And the 'Critical Asset Protection Regulations' personally signed by the Governor of Texas."

"Since Mr. Chen Yuan's 'Umbrella' company is currently undertaking an extremely important biological research project for the Department of Defense..."

"...he himself now holds the status of 'Special Defense Consultant'."

Ivanka took a half-step forward, her deep blue eyes shimmering with the playfulness of a cat catching a mouse. "According to the act, without the permission of the Senate Special Committee, any arrest operation targeting him is... illegal."

James trembled with rage.

His bald head, which already had few hairs left, became even more oily and shiny as his blood pressure rose.

"That's impossible! He's an arms dealer! A devil!"

James snatched the document like a madman.

He scanned it rapidly.

Every letter on it felt like a resounding slap in the face.

The Senate.

The White House Office.

The Department of Defense Procurement Office.

This series of official seals blocked all his paths of retreat.

"Damn it... damn politics!"

James growled, the document in his hand crumpled by his grip.

He knew very well.

Once this document was produced, the so-called 'arrest warrant' in his hand became waste paper.

Not only that.

If he dared to forcibly take Chen Yuan away, he would be sent to a Military Court tomorrow morning for 'crimes against national security'.

Chen Yuan stood to the side.

Watching James's frustrated expression—looking like he wanted to kill someone but didn't dare to act—he felt incredibly satisfied.

This kind of thing without violence...

...the pleasure of a pure 'dimensionality reduction strike' was indeed more intoxicating than shooting someone dead.

"Agent James, haven't you seen enough?"

Chen Yuan slowly leaned in.

"Do you want me to have Lawyer Will make a few hundred copies for you to take back and stick on your headboard to study slowly?"

James suddenly looked up.

His bloodshot eyes glared at Chen Yuan. "Don't be smug for too long. You think you're safe just because you're clinging to the thighs of these politicians?"

"As long as I'm in this position for one more day, I will never let you go!"

"Oh?"

Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"Then I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed."

Chen Yuan ignored his threat.

He turned his head to look at the media reporters on the perimeter who were nearly breaking their shutters with how much they were clicking.

"Everyone!"

Chen Yuan suddenly raised his voice.

"Here, I want to announce a decision."

All the lenses.

All the microphones.

All pointed at Chen Yuan in an instant.

He smiled and put his arm around Ivanka's shoulder, an intimate gesture that also exuded a domineering air of claiming sovereignty.

"In view of Miss Strange's outstanding contributions to the economic prosperity and the construction of the rule of law in Texas..."

"...I have personally decided, on behalf of the 'Umbrella' company, to donate to her Campaign Foundation..."

Chen Yuan held up one finger.

His tone was as flat as if he were talking about buying a taco.

"One hundred million dollars."

"As financial support for her subsequent campaign activities."

Boom—!

The scene completely exploded.

The reporters pushed forward like they were crazy.

"One hundred million dollars?! My God!"

"Is this the largest single political donation in America's history?"

"Mr. Chen! Are you publicly supporting the Strange Family?"

Ivanka was also stunned for a moment.

Although this was part of their plan...

...she hadn't expected Chen Yuan to play such a big game, throwing out a hundred million dollars directly in front of the media.

With this hundred million dollars dropped...

...her winning rate in Texas would instantly jump from ninety percent to a hundred percent.

This is the power of money.

And it was also the 'reward' Chen Yuan gave her.

"Thank you, Chen."

Ivanka quickly recovered; she turned her head and gave Chen Yuan a light kiss on the cheek.

Flashes strobed wildly.

The scene froze in time.

One was a mysterious and powerful Eastern tycoon.

The other was a proud and cold rising star in politics.

Under the witness of countless cameras, they completed the dirtiest yet most magnificent 'union'.

James stood to the side.

He watched the pair of 'colluding' man and woman.

Watching them show off their affection and talk about the law in front of the public.

A sudden metallic taste of blood welled up in his throat.

Anger.

He was so angry.

He felt as if the top of his skull was about to explode.

In his life as a police officer...

...he had caught drug lords and raided bandit dens, but never had he felt as powerless and frustrated as he did now.

The rule of law?

This is the rule of law!

As long as there's enough money, as long as one can buy off those high-and-mighty figures...

...a murderer can become a philanthropist.

A devil can become a defense consultant.

"Mr. Agent, you don't look very well."

Ivanka walked past James, arm in arm with Chen Yuan.

She stopped.

Her eyes were filled with lofty contempt.

"Do you need me to call an ambulance for you?"

"I think Texas public healthcare should still be able to provide a bed for a 'dutiful' civil servant like you."

James clenched his fists tightly.

His nails dug into his palms, and blood trickled down between his fingers.

But he couldn't move.

He could only watch helplessly as Chen Yuan swaggered toward that bulletproof cadillac right in the middle of his cordon.

His subordinates were also dejected, one by one.

The once aggressive FBI agents now looked like a pack of stray dogs abandoned by their master.

"Withdraw."

James ordered in a raspy voice.

Every word seemed ground out from between his teeth.

"Sir, what about Chen Yuan..." the Deputy asked unwillingly.

"I said, withdraw!"

James suddenly turned and roared.

His distorted face scared the Deputy into taking three steps back.

At this moment.

Chen Yuan had already gotten into Ivanka's private car.

The black cadillac let out a low roar.

Slowly driving away from the apron.

Just as the car passed by James...

...the bulletproof glass of the rear seat slowly rolled down.

Revealing Chen Yuan's handsome face, which James hated to the core.

Chen Yuan didn't speak.

He simply, under the gaze of those hundreds of FBI agents...

...slowly raised his right hand.

Toward James.

Elegantly.

Resolutely.

He extended a long middle finger.

The smile at the corner of his mouth was full of mockery for the rules of this mundane world.

"Agent James."

Chen Yuan's voice traveled through the wind, clearly entering James's ears.

"Until we meet again."