Chapter 63

"Wait, partners!?"

Vincent felt every eye in the large room snap to his face.

The American Beta Commissioner raised his hands slightly, looking utterly bewildered. "Whoa, is this some big secret or something? Everyone in AGB knows about it."

"I always thought Officer Xu was partnered with A Li," Yu Mei glanced at Li Jiali, seemingly unable to picture the two who had just walked out as former partners.

Li Jiali sighed helplessly and leaned against the window, looking at Yu Mei. "Yeah, Xu was my first partner, but Xu joined AGB a year before me."

"Wait," Song Yuli stroked his chin, "if what we just heard is true—one's the only superior alpha in AGB, and the other’s the only beta—what genius thought pairing those two was a good idea?"

"Isn’t A Ying from the Asia Branch?" Qi Feng was also confused now. "How’d they end up partnered across branches?"

Vincent opened his mouth but snapped it shut under Li Jiali’s warning look.

Meanwhile, Benjamin, sitting among a group of officers, spoke up obliviously: "I remember the Captain wasn’t originally registered with the Asia Branch. His AGB trainee file was under the Los Angeles Division, but he was transferred to the Asia Branch after just one op in North America."

Tan Song tilted his head. "So Officer Xu and this Officer Zhang were only partners for one mission? No wonder that partnership crashed and burned."

Benjamin chuckled. "I also think the Asia Branch suits Xu better."

At this, Cooper—who usually seemed aloof and silent—looked up at Li Jiali and said expressionlessly, "Promoted to Level 3 Officer after just one mission—guess North America Branch wasn’t so tough on Officer Edmund."

Before anyone could digest the weight of his words, the burly white top-tier alpha continued coldly, "After all, that beta hasn’t moved up a single rank since switching to Asia Branch."

Though Cooper’s Chinese wasn’t entirely fluent, everyone in the Major Crime Unit immediately grasped the discrimination and disdain in his words. It was then that Fang Puxin, who had remained silent until now, finally understood Li Jiali’s instinctive hostility toward this North America team.

Li Jiali sneered, her gaze icy as she looked at Cooper. "We’re the last people who should be talking about this matter."

"I was merely expressing a personal opinion about the North America and Asia Branches," Cooper glanced at his watch, his face impassive. "Didn’t the North America Branch award all the credit for the op to your officer alone after that task?"

"But for some reason, many in AGB still believe the Asia Branch is fairer—or more gender-neutral—than the North America Branch," Cooper finally revealed a mocking expression. "Nice-sounding slogans just cover up incompetence."

Vincent, who had initially tried to keep the peace, gave that smug elite grin again.

Though Tan Song and the others didn’t know the details of the past incident, they now understood that these two white alphas were insinuating that Xu Zhangying, as a beta, had played the beta card to get ahead—likely a common belief among many alpha officers in the North America Branch, or even within AGB.

Qi Feng’s anger flared, and he was about to retort when a cool voice sliced through.

"In the same timeframe, a high-ranking alpha was promoted to Level 2 Officer in the North America Branch, while a beta in the Asia Branch saw no further promotions—is this the basis for your claim that the North America Branch is more gender-neutral, or that beta officers are incompetent?"

Cooper’s expression froze. He looked up to see eyes like polished steel staring directly at him, as if genuinely awaiting an answer.

The man had no comeback.

Three seconds later, everyone watched as Xia Qing nodded slightly and stated matter-of-factly:

"That courtroom-worthy shutdown exposed how full of holes your logic really is. It cannot support any opinions you hold about events you didn’t personally experience."

This statement wiped the smirks off those alpha officers’ faces, leaving them speechless.

Standing behind Xia Qing, Li Jiali blinked in surprise. Then, glancing at his back, she drummed her fingers on the windowsill and allowed a faint smile to curl her lips.

Tan Song tugged at Qi Feng’s sleeve and whispered with a wink, "Still, it takes Professor Xia. No matter how angry you get, you couldn’t deliver a line like that."

Qi Feng snorted indignantly, while Yu Mei and Song Yuli bit back laughs beside them.

This time, Yan Jianbai didn’t stop Tan Song and the others from whispering. Both he and Fang Puxin understood clearly that if they wanted to obtain critical information about Case 523, it would have to be through Xu Zhangying’s negotiations with the North America Branch. Moreover, the earlier friction and disputes had made them realize that the internal power struggles within AGB were far more severe than they had imagined.

Finally, amidst the silence of Cooper and Vincent and the hushed conversations of the Major Crime Unit officers, the two section heads returned one after another.

Xu Zhangying entered first, limping heavily on crutches, while Zeiss, dressed in a tailored three-piece suit, stood motionless behind him with one hand in his pocket. Xu Zhangying struggled forward two steps before Zeiss took a single, measured step.

When Xu Zhangying looked up and saw everyone staring at him, he hopped forward on his crutches and asked in bewilderment, “What are you all looking at? Is watching a cripple walk that interesting?”

The Alpha Inspector behind him remarked dryly, “If your injury is that serious, why not use a wheelchair? Could it be because you think it’s embarrassing?”

Xu Zhangying flared up. “Mind your own damn business! If your legs aren’t broken, why the hell are you walking behind me?”

Zeiss was momentarily speechless from the scolding, his face turning stormy as he strode past Xu Zhangying and took his original seat.

Meanwhile, Xu Zhangying clomped past him on his crutches, hopping one-handed, and finally returned to his spot under Li Jiali’s exasperated gaze. Xia Qing stood up to help him sit down.

“Holy shit, I’m wiped out,” Xu Zhangying shook out his hand, but before he could settle properly, he turned to Xia Qing and whispered with a grin, “What were you guys talking about earlier? I heard your voice while I was on the phone.”

Xia Qing unscrewed a bottle of water and handed it to him, saying gently, “I’ll tell you later.”

Song Yuli, Tan Song, and Yu Mei’s gazes kept shifting between Xu Zhangying and Zeiss. Their initial awe of the North America Branch had been too great, but now, upon closer observation, every time Xu Zhangying spoke to Xia Qing, the Alpha Inspector Zeiss’s expression darkened further.

He’s seriously bothered, the trio thought in unison.

“Captain Yan,” Xu Zhangying turned, his tone light. “The higher-ups in AGB have just reached a consensus to share information about LEBEN. Is it acceptable for the details of Case 523 to be relayed to the NA04 Team?”

Yan Jianbai’s expression softened as he nodded at Xu Zhangying. “That’s fine. Thank you for your hard work, Officer Xu.”

“Good,” Xu Zhangying looked up at Zeiss. “Then you can begin.”

Zeiss, still seemingly angry from Xu Zhangying’s earlier scolding, refused to look at him and instead impatiently gestured for Vincent to restart.

Unbeknownst to him, Vincent had also just been reprimanded. Now, the American officer had to pull himself together and reopen the internal documents on his computer.

“Thirteen months ago, our team was assigned to monitor the Nauron Group, also known as the Nauron family. I believe everyone here has heard of them, as many renowned multinational corporations fall under their umbrella.

This North American wealthy family made their fortune in the energy industry last century and have since grown into financial powerbrokers, owning multiple international banks, insurance companies, and chemical enterprises.

We were assigned this task because, over the past decade, AGB has discovered the Nauron family’s involvement in high-profile cases of human trafficking, pharmaceutical scandals, and sexual crimes among the wealthy. These cases span multiple countries with no obvious intersecting interests.”

At this point, Vincent pulled up another internal document and continued, “This is a confidential investigative report provided last year by Police Superintendent, 1st Class Laura from the Asia Branch. The report reveals that in conflict zones, the Nauron family colluded with local militants to illegally transport refugee children—all under the guise of medical aid.

Additionally, over the past ten months, the Nauron family has been found to have covert financial dealings with an American pharmaceutical company exposed for illegal human genetic modification experiments. However, the Nauron family’s activities are highly concealed, often layered under the names of multinational corporations, making it nearly impossible to trace back to them.”

“Like this cruise line?” Xu Zhangying tilted his head.

Vincent nodded. “Yes. *Nereid* Cruise Company is registered in Hawaii, with 40% of its shares held by an American ocean shipping company, which in turn is controlled by an insurance company under the Nauron Group.”

“Then how did you connect this conglomerate to LEBEN?” Xu Zhangying’s eyes fixed on the files on the screen, spotting Laura’s familiar signature.

“Eight months ago, the European Bureau received a distress letter from a retired LSA council member. This Danish professor claimed he had received death threats and confessed to participating in inhuman experiments over thirty years ago. Recently, he had been pressured to provide the original experimental data, but he had long since destroyed all evidence. He requested emergency witness protection from AGB.

Unfortunately, by the time European Bureau officers arrived, the former council member had already been assassinated, his villa burned to the ground. In his letter, the professor referred to this criminal organization as the ‘Eternal Life Society.’ Subsequent investigations suggest this was likely his euphemistic term for it.”

Eternal life—Xu Zhangying frowned slightly. The concept was indeed repeatedly emphasized in LEBEN’s doctrine. Before he could ponder further, Vincent pulled up a screenshot of an email.

Xu Zhangying looked up to see that the frantic, unsigned email, barely two hundred words long, had no salutation or signature, likely written in extreme haste and panic.

Suddenly, Xu Zhangying spotted a word in the email, his expression shifting. At the same time, Vincent continued, “This letter mentions a figure called ‘Emperor.’ The professor claimed this person initiated a liquidation campaign. Predictably, two years ago, a D.C. con artist with financial ties to the Nauron family, before his death, also claimed that someone called Emperor had sent assassins after him.”

The ranks are: Marquess, Duke, King.

And above them all - Emperor.

Wait, there's a rank above king? Xu Zhangying's expression darkened. Zeiss, sitting across from him, noticed the change but said nothing.

"The organization from over thirty years ago, involving the upper echelons of LSA—the only criminal group that fits this profile is Life," Vincent said gravely, tenting his fingers.

"Over the past 13 months of investigation, we've focused our attention on Corbett, the heir to the Noren Group. More than half of the suspicious crimes, including those mentioned earlier, are linked to assets under Corbett's control."

"Including the war zone child disappearance case that Laura is investigating—it involves a medical company owned by Corbett."

Xu Zhangying nodded, waiting for Vincent to continue, but Vincent abruptly stopped.

Xu Zhangying looked up to find the North America Branch unit staring at him. Baffled, Xu asked, "Why stop? Corbett is a person of interest—what's next?"

Vincent glanced at Zeiss before replying tersely, "The following documents contain Corbett's photo."

Even the Major Crime Unit cops were confused by this statement. Xu Zhangying asked directly, "What's the issue with having a photo? Are we still not allowed to see your confidential files?"

"Only you can't see it."

Zeiss turned to face Xu Zhangying.

Xu Zhangying was even more baffled, almost laughing in frustration. "What, am I too pretty to see his photo?"

Zeiss glared coldly at him. "Is that all that's in your head?"

Xu Zhangying sneered. "Yeah, unlike you, who has nothing in there."

"Calm down," Vincent fumbled, code-switching in his panic. "No, Alpha Inspector Edmund, we came to you specifically because of Corbett."

"Forensic sketch," Cooper interjected, frowning as he took over for the flustered Vincent.

He looked at Xu Zhangying seriously. "We need you to produce a composite sketch based on witness testimonies to determine if it matches Corbett. If you see his photo now, it might bias your interpretation."

Li Jiali finally understood and chuckled. "So, you received intel that Corbett was involved in the cruise ship deal, prepared witness statements for Xu to do a forensic sketch, and also hoped to pry for internal information on Life, right?"

Though that was indeed the case, having it laid out so bluntly by Li Jiali made Cooper and Vincent grow visibly uncomfortable.

Zeiss, however, remained unfazed and admitted plainly, "Yes."

Xu Zhangying also grasped the situation. Resting his chin in his hand, he sighed and looked at the alpha inspector across from him. "The North America Branch has so many composite sketch artists—can't you just find a good one? Why does it have to be me?"

"No," Zeiss stated firmly.

Xu Zhangying frowned. "Why not?"

"Because you're the best."

He stared at Xu Zhangying, his eyes burning with intensity.