Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

At the X Bureau, the department led by the White family suddenly initiated a self-cleansing operation. Each department began to dredge up old cases. As the X Bureau's number one enemy, GTO naturally had many cases that needed to be sorted out.

Linden was sent to the Clearwater headquarters for training, while Christopher started investigating dormant cases with the Ashbury headquarters' team. The headquarters sent an investigative team specifically responsible for various files in Ashbury. Such activities occurred every few years, and the veterans at X Bureau were used to it.

Nathan had recently been appointed as the chief captain. In the absence of the director, he had no choice but to follow the deputy director and act as his second in command. The investigative team revisited multiple cases, and when they reached the latest explosion case, their expressions became unpredictably somber.

"Captain Nathan, are you sure that only the individuals reported were present at the scene?" Nathan nodded, "I'm certain. Apart from our people from X Bureau, only Jared and Tina were present; there was no one else."

"What about this woman then?" The investigative team suddenly produced a photo. Though blurry, it clearly showed an additional person at the scene.

"I don't know," Nathan stubbornly denied any knowledge.

This attitude undoubtedly infuriated the investigative team. Nathan and the two squad leaders who were present were taken away for questioning, leaving everyone at X Bureau feeling threatened.

With Christopher now effectively commanding alone, the White family delivered a new type of bomb detector that remained unfiled, forcing them to ask for help from headquarters. Due to the chaos from the operation, these detectors were eventually handed over to Asher Vance.

"Master, please help me. That idiot Linden is still detained by headquarters, and if we can't get the detectors down soon, it's going to be a problem," Christopher pleaded over the phone.

Asher Vance chuckled, "You two have been at it for years, always one-upping each other. Don't worry, I'll make sure the detectors are sent to Ashbury on time."

"Great, thank you, Master. Next time I'm in Clearwater, I'll treat you to a drink." After hanging up, Christopher's smile instantly froze. "Master, next time we meet, I hope to still share a drink with you."

Asher Vance, looking at the quantity of detectors, reduced the number from three hundred to two hundred before signing his name.

Elsewhere, Eagle Flies received a notification from Five Poisons to go to Clearwater to collect weapons to be handed over to his weapons research team to improve the new bombs.

Three days later, Linden returned from Clearwater. The moment he landed, he received a call from Asher Vance.

"Linden, I heard about your trip to headquarters, that you went to the archives and pulled out an old human trafficking case?"

Linden didn't deny it, chuckling, "Yes, Master, I wanted to tell the younger folks at the bureau how we discovered GTO, and also share your heroic deeds, lest they forget who you are!" "I'm old now, I don't care about vanity anymore. What made you think of this all of a sudden?" Asher Vance asked.

Linden laughed again, "I had an argument with Christopher a few days ago and it came to mind. Master, I also found a photo; I didn't expect it to still exist after all these years." "What photo?" Asher Vance's tone suddenly became serious.

"The group photo you took with those twelve kids. I was thinking of trying to locate them after all these years, maybe do a follow-up to see if they can recall anything."

"Where is the photo?" Asher Vance's voice grew tense.

He clearly remembered destroying that photo; he had even burned the film to leave no trace. How could it possibly still exist?

Linden unconsciously tightened his grip on his phone. "It's in my hands, master. What's wrong?"

Asher Vance paused, feigning ease. "Nothing serious. I remember the archive room caught fire once, destroying half the case files and all the photographs and negatives. I heard you found them, which is quite strange."

"Oh, I wanted to understand more, so I found the old guard from back then. He said he felt compelled to take a photo of you all because you looked so gallant, and thankfully, that's how it was saved. I never expected your wife to be in there too, master. Shall I send it to you to see?" Linden said.

"Alright, send it to me," Asher Vance replied, his voice tense as he hung up.

Soon after, Linden sent the photograph to Asher Vance and said, "I've already contacted those survivors, master. I'll be hosting a nostalgia gathering the day after tomorrow at headquarters. You should come too." Asher Vance looked at the photograph, profoundly shaken.

It really was the photograph from back then!

Asher Vance felt uneasy. If this photo were to leak, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The children from that time were all still alive. If even one of them remembered the details, the secret of ten children becoming twelve would be exposed!

If it got out, it would surely bring disaster.

Yet now, killing all ten was out of the question!

Not to mention whether it would attract Linden's attention, having all related individuals die would itself be highly suspicious.

Asher Vance took out a phone he hadn't used in a long time, designated for contacting the Five Poisons.

"What's wrong?" a somber voice emanated from the phone.

Asher Vance explained the situation. "Boss, something feels off. I request to return to the organization!"

"Idiot! I told you before to kill them all, but you insisted on sparing them. Now you're panicking!" Five Poisons scolded.

"At the time, the agency was extremely focused on this matter. It was impossible to kill them then. Boss, Linden will bring them back the day after tomorrow. My role in the agency is now minimal; let me leave!" Hearing Asher Vance's tone, Five Poisons softened, "Alright, we'll meet at our usual place first thing the day after tomorrow!"

After hanging up, a murderous intent flickered in Five Poisons' eyes.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror, clenched her fist tightly, and pulled out a phone from the drawer.

She dialed the only number saved in it.

"Hello, it's me."

On the day of the so-called nostalgia gathering initiated by Linden, everyone was unable to contact the once-heroic instructor, Asher Vance.

At that time, Asher Vance, having taken all his money, dressed in light clothing, and drove to the seaside.

This was the place where Natalie had once brought Jared, Hayden, and others camping.

Likewise, it was where Asher Vance had camped with Natalie, Christopher, and Linden to celebrate joining the X Bureau.

Here, Asher Vance had once told his disciples, "The X Bureau is like this sea; beneath its calm waves, treacherous reefs always lie hidden, ready to devour anyone unsuspecting." This saying, like this place, had been passed down through generations.

Now, standing here again, Asher Vance only found it ironic.

Who would have thought that he himself was the hidden reef beneath this calm sea?

"Romer."

Hearing someone call his code name, Asher Vance turned around and saw a teenage girl.

He focused his gaze, realizing, "You must be Eagle Flies? The boss has mentioned you."

Eagle Flies smiled, "Yes, it's me. I've long heard that there's a mole from us in the X Bureau. I never thought I'd meet the person himself today. Romer, the boss sent me to see you off." Asher Vance smiled, "Romer, after all these years, I've indeed been wandering outside. Today, it finally comes to an end."