Aria nced at him indifferently. “Not at all. No matter who the traitor is, he’s done.”

    Flynt chuckled. “You haven’t changed. You’re still as sharp-tongued as ever. I only want you toe with me. I don’t give a

    damn about their tech.”

    Aria stepped aside slightly. “Stay away from me.”

    She didn’t bother hiding how grossed out she was. Flynt felt a sharp pain in his heart as he clenched his right fist. “I want to kill Owen even more now.”

    “Go ahead and try,” Aria said. She didn’t think Flynt had what it took to kill Owen.

    Julius nced back at them. “Hurry up.”

    This path really was the fastest route to the State Security Bureau’s research center, and no one was guarding it. Aria didn’t know much about their people and had no clue who the director they mentioned was.

    She just found their confidence strange, especially Flynt’s. Everything was going way too smoothly, and they didn’t even question it. That wasn’t like Flynt.

    Julius stopped with the map in hand. “We’re close to theb. Stick to the n.”

    Flynt ignored Julius and continued, “Aria, why did you join the State Security Bureau? You would have real control in myb. And I promise, no more experiments that hurt people.”

    “I’m not interested,” Aria said.

    Flynt tugged on her handcuffs. “Fine, then let me show you how messed up the State Security Bureau really is.”

    “I can walk on my own,” Aria said, frowning as she shook his hand off. She always thought that there were bad apples everywhere, but no matter how wed, the State Security Bureau had done a lot for this country and its people.

    Julius swiped the ess card and entered theb without issue. “Seriously? Just oneyer of defense? He was right. The State Security Bureau doesn’t care about gic reconfiguration technology.

    “If they did, it wouldn’t be this easy to get in. Oh man, this stuff is worth over one billion dors.”

    Julius tried to stay calm and moved to the centralb station. The moment he touched the device, however, a metal cage dropped from above, trapping him in an instant. It happened so fast that he didn’t even have time to react.

    The four guards barely moved before two shots rang out, and two of them died instantly. Aria kicked another down, and with Owen finishing the shot, thest one was restrained in under a minute.

    Owen tied him up and then charged straight at Flynt.

    “Wait a second,” someone said outside theb. Tessa led a team that quickly surrounded the exit. She said, “Mr. Hartley is

    one of us.”

    Owen and Aria exchanged a nce, feeling surprised.

    Julius’ face darkened as he grabbed the railing and yelled furiously, “Flynt, you betrayed the boss.”

    Tessa nced at Owen. “I didn’t expect that from you.” She had to admit that his moves were just as sharp as Gerald’s and

    Fabian’s.

    Owen was clearly annoyed that he had lost his chance to take Flynt out. He shot Tessa a look. “Ms. Langford, do you care to exin what’s going on?”

    Tessa nced at Flynt with a smile. “This is a deal between the State Security Bureau and Mr. Hartley. He helped us catch the traitor, and we agreed to let him join. Wee aboard. Mr. Hartley.”

    Flynt shook Tessa’s hand. “If you ever need me, just say the word.” He then withdrew his hand and looked at Aria. “I’ve taken Huthailian citizenship. From now on, I’m one of you.”

    He got it now that Aria wasn’t the type he could force. If he crossed her again, he would never get another chance with her.

    Aria was the loyal type, and since she was in love with Owen, no one else stood a chance. Flynt figured he would start as a friend.

    Aria didn’t care whether Flynt was a threat or an asset to the State Security Bureau. “Not my concern,” she said, raising her hand. “Unlock it.”

    Flynt nced at Julius. “He has the key.”

    Aria turned to Tessa. “Ms. Langford, could you get the key for me?”

    Tessa’s curious gaze bounced between Aria, Owen, and Flynt, clearly intrigued. It wasn’t until Aria spoke that she snapped out of it. “Sure.”

    Two people stepped forward, cuffed Julius, dragged him out, and started searching him. “Ms. Langford, he’s only carrying a gun. No key.”

    Aria’s face darkened. Flynt turned to Julius, ring at him.

    Julius burst outughing. “Flynt, you actually gave up billions of dors you have in Torrenia for a woman. You’re insane. Those cuffs don’t have a key. Aria will never get them off.”

    They were made from special materials developed by a leadingpany in Torrenia. Only their boss himself could unlock them.

    Flynt’s face turned stern in an instant. “Don’t make me.” He shoved the gun against Julius’ neck. “Tell me how to unlock it.

    Now.

    “Go on, Flynt. Pull the trigger.” Julius cackled madly. “Do you think the boss would actually tell me how to unlock it?”

    Tessa stopped Flynt and said, “Calm down. He’s a key witness.” She then turned to Aria. “Let’s go. People from the Technology Department will handle it.”

    Someone asked, “What about the Skills Evaluation?”

    Tessa turned to Aria. “Do you still want topete?”

    Aria didn’t answer directly. “How is Cathy and her team?”

    “They’re safe. They noticed something was wrong too and backed out. They’re on their way here.” Tessa handed Aria the

    Aria took it and called Cathy. “It was a trap set by the State Security Bureau to catch a traitor. We’re safe now. The threat has

    been dealt with.”

    Cathy let out a sigh of relief. “Good. We still have traces of the drug in our systems, so we can’t go on with thepetition. Clifford’s team is getting us out.”

    Tessa said. “Sorry for the trouble we caused you by not telling you about this mission in advance. The higher-ups will make it up to you.

    “You’ll get two months leave. If you want to rejoin thepetition, we’ll fly you out once you get the antidote.”

    It would be a lie to say they didn’t feel used. Cathy asked her team members and said. “We’re out. It doesn’t feel worth it

    anymore.”

    They had let these young people down. Tessa sighed and said. Things will be different after this. I promise I’ll make the State Security Bureau change.”

    Cathy smiled. “No,wonder we’re getting two months off. I hope we get to see the best side of the State Security Bureau when wee back.”

    “You will,” Tessa promised.

    Cathy said, “By the way, Ms. Langford. Clifford said they’re quitting too.”

    Tessa asked, “Why?”

    Cathy said, “They said it’s not worth it anymore.”

    Tessa was speechless. “Fine, juste back then.” She had already made up her mind-the State Security Bureau needed eform. The next Skills Evaluation could wait until next year.

    The six of them took the antidote and fell back to normal. When they saw the cuffs on Aria’s wrist, they were stunned. “What happened?”

    Tessa said, “Let’s go to the Technology Department first.”

    Several specialists all reached the same conclusion. “Nope, still stuck. We can’t cut through it either.”

    Flynt said, “Maybe we should just head to Torrenia.”