Make it clear
Sea fog blanketed the area, and the faint light of dawn peeked through the portholes.
Milo looked at Barton across the table and spoke first, "Thank you."
Barton, a former soldier who served as the police chief of Wanyang City for over twenty years, is currently a special advisor to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and chairman of the Strategic Decision-Making Committee of the Transnational Crime Investigation Bureau. His resume is incredibly impressive, and he is only fifty-seven years old.
“No need to thank me,” Barton said gently. “Actually, I should be thanking you. This cruise ship is yours; I’m just benefiting from your generosity.”
Milo was taken aback.
Six years ago, the Bethlehem could have been considered his property, but how did it end up in his hands now?
Barton seemed to sense his doubt and explained, "I checked. It should be that Blaise and Miles signed a contract, transferred all of his shares, took the cruise ship, and then transferred it to your name."
Milo fell silent. He suddenly remembered the casual remark he'd made at Marina's wedding. He hadn't expected Blaise to actually give him the cruise ship. A mix of emotions welled up inside him.
"Don't you have anything you want to ask me?"
Milo thought for a moment and then asked, "Did you come here because of Jesse?"
"yes."
Milo lowered his eyes: "What did he tell you?"
"He didn't say much, just that he knew your plane was shot down and rushed home overnight, insisting that I come to Gangu to demand your return. But don't feel pressured. He's argued with me my whole life, and if it weren't for you, I might never have had the chance to speak to him. Besides, rescuing one's own citizens is the right thing to do, and you've suffered an undeserved disaster this time."
As Milo listened, he slowly began to consider the intricacies of this "accidental attack."
Arien's appearance was an unexpected turn of events, and can be disregarded. The continuous artillery fire from the mountaintop and Chachai leading his Serpent's Fringe organization were enough to prove that the attack was orchestrated by Sigon. The only thing that surprised Milo was that Sigon had actually used Blaise to lure Mengtuo into making a move.
Xigong's actions this time were justified, and wouldn't be considered an uprising by the Tengbang government forces. Milo thought quietly, gradually realizing that Xigong's ambitions might be greater than he had anticipated. These people, including himself, were all wolves, scheming to find ways to benefit themselves.
And this person in front of him? Coming across borders to rescue people just because of his son's request? Milo simply didn't believe what this politician was saying.
While in Wanyang, Richard Green's work sometimes led him to attend family dinners hosted by high-ranking politicians, which is why Milo had seen a young Patton. At that time, Patton was just over forty, radiant and full of life, with his three sons standing in a staggered arrangement, the family enjoying a harmonious time together.
But later, Patton's wife died unexpectedly, his eldest son died in a mission, his second son openly severed ties with him, and his youngest son also moved away from Wanyang. This high-ranking official began to restrain his sharp edge, shifting from front-line technical work to internal administration. He rarely appeared in public, but his career continued to rise.
Therefore, the more amiable Barton was, the more dangerous Milo felt he was.
"Chief Patton, is there anything you'd like to ask me?"
Just call me Barton.
"That's not appropriate."
“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. As for what you want to ask… well, there is. How is Jesse usually?” Barton smiled slightly. “Work, life, or anything else, if you’d like to hear more about him.”
Milo revealed everything he knew about Jesse.
Barton listened attentively to Milo's words, then said with some emotion, "No wonder he said you're his only friend. He's probably had a tough few years, and it's fortunate that you've been there for him. He has such a terrible temper; all his brothers are exactly the same in that respect—it's a bad habit he inherited from me."
Milo silently watched Barton, waiting for him to ask about the terrorist attack, his relationship with Blaise, his true identity, or even Steven's cause of death... But Barton seemed completely unconcerned about those things, treating him merely as a close friend of his son, chatting casually.
Patton hesitated for a moment, then said, "Could I ask you for a favor?"
"Please speak."
“I know you two have been having a bad time lately. But could you see Jesse? He’s in Wanyang right now. He hasn’t asked, but I think he would like to see you.”
Milo was slightly taken aback, not expecting this question. He nodded: "Of course. That's only right."
The Bethlehem arrived at the coastal port of Wanyang City.
As the capital of Lanman, Wanyang Island has a unique style, a blend of various ethnic styles, with Nanyang arcade buildings and Western architecture interspersed. As soon as you step onto the island, the familiar salty sea breeze hits you in the face, and Milo suddenly feels a bit dazed.
Six years is not a time that passes without a trace. Stepping back onto this path, he was not as open-minded as he had imagined.
The Barton family's house is a detached Southeast Asian colonial-style villa. Compared to the exorbitantly priced villas on the island, it's not overly extravagant. What's special is its extremely high gate. Sometimes, power is more intimidating than money, and even before stepping through the gate, guests often feel inferior.
As you enter through the front gate, several guards salute. Behind the iron railings of the encircling corridor is an open garden. Further in, amidst glazed red bricks, a tall young man in a white shirt stands silently in the garden.
“Jesse,” Barton said.
Upon hearing the sound, Jesse turned around and his gaze immediately fell on Milo.
Milo also looked at him.
After not seeing her for half a month, Jesse had lost a lot of weight, had a light stubble on his face, and looked quite tired.
Jesse's eyes flickered, but Milo remained silent. Before going to Frostraven, he had already guessed that Jesse had some clues about Steven's death. Now, their positions were different. Although Jesse was willing to save him, it didn't mean he would stand on his side. From the moment he killed Steven, he and Jesse had lost the possibility of becoming friends again. Now, the two of them were standing here merely maintaining basic decorum, seeing who would pierce through the sugar-coated facade first.
Jesse stepped forward, patted Milo's shoulder, and said emotionlessly, "It's good that you're alright."
"You guys chat," Barton said, walking inside. "Stay for a meal before you leave."
Jesse replied almost immediately, "No need."
Barton wasn't angry: "I wasn't talking to you."
Despite the tense atmosphere, Milo spoke up: "I am indeed a little hungry."
Jesse remained silent.
Patton asked, "Are there any dietary restrictions?"
Milo shook his head.
Barton nodded: "Then I'll have the chef choose some light dishes to make."
Only after Barton had walked away did Jesse finally hug Milo tightly.
This overly intense emotion left Milo's arms frozen in mid-air, unsure whether he should bring them down.
“Jesse…” He only managed to utter those two words before seeming unsure how to continue. Milo sighed, patting Jesse's back, only to notice a large patch of sweat on it. He had probably been standing there for a long time. Thinking of this, Milo felt a pang of sadness. Ultimately, the blame for things having come to this point rested entirely on him.
Milo said softly, "I'm sorry. Thank goodness you're alright." Jesse released his hand, his eyes slightly red. He quickly turned his face away, forcing a smile, "I haven't told you about my family situation, not because I intentionally wanted to hide it from you, but just—"
“I understand.” Milo nodded. “No need to explain, I understand.”
Jesse lowered his eyes, giving what looked like a bitter smile.
The dishes on the table were all light and fresh. The table was quite large, and you could tell that there used to be no fewer than five people eating there. Now that only three people were sitting there, it did seem a bit empty.
Barton was a man of habitual silence, and Jesse seemed quite uncomfortable. Milo, being an outsider, had neither the reason nor the right to offer advice on their family's troubles. As a result, the meal was a very awkward and uncomfortable experience. In the end, Jesse put down his chopsticks and said, "I'm done. Milo, just come out when you're done eating. I drove here and can take you home. You don't need anyone to make arrangements for you."
After saying that, Jesse rushed out of the restaurant.
Barton, sitting at the table, said to Milo with a hint of helplessness, "You've suffered a lot because of this bad temper, haven't you?"
“No.” Milo shook his head. “Jesse has always been a pure person.”
"He's just simple-minded," Barton smiled slightly. "You're not going back to Wudong Port with him, are you?"
Milo put down his chopsticks and looked at Barton: "You know who I am, right?"
“I’ve thought about it, but I can’t be sure. Even if I guessed it, I would still be shocked.” Barton sighed deeply. “You must have been waiting for this day for a long time.”
Milo stopped hiding his intentions. Ever since he learned that the officer who saved him was Jesse, Chief Patton's son, this idea had taken root in his mind. Even with his abilities and social standing, if he were to one day bring Miles down, the vast chasm between politics and business meant he might not be able to access key police personnel. Therefore, Jesse was his only chance.
"Six years ago, at your behest, my father's case was expedited and closed, and the smear campaign of organ trafficking was smeared on him, completely ruining his reputation." Milo found it difficult to finish the story calmly. "Of course, I've investigated. You're different from Tate Daller and Bobby Thornton. You didn't have any political or business collusion, you didn't profit from it, you weren't after power or money. But that's why I can't understand why you would frame my father?"
Barton wearily rubbed his temples, remaining silent for a long time before speaking: "Your father's case isn't that simple. At first, I also thought it was a business dispute, but after my wife passed away, I learned that foreign forces had infiltrated and were manipulating things from top to bottom, making matters worse. I'm not as powerful as you think, and more importantly, I simply can't fight anymore. At my age, I can't afford to lose two more children. So, I'm sorry, I can't reopen this case for you."
Milo wasn't disappointed: "Can I ask you some questions?"
"certainly."
"Suma Natawa, do you know this woman?"
Barton thought for a moment and said, “I vaguely remember. She and your father were old friends. I remember your father planned to immigrate to Frostlake in his early years, and your mother had already obtained permanent residency there, but something seemed to have happened later, and your father ultimately chose to return to Lanman and start doing medical research. Actually, the collaboration on the bio-based product wasn't initiated by Tate Daller and Bobby Thornton, but rather by your father and Suma working together to push it forward, and they ended up investing in it. This is something that probably doesn't surprise many people.”
Milo's face stiffened: "You mean my father isn't innocent?"
“I’m just telling you the truth about my investigation,” Barton said calmly. “I think your father and Suma are planning to create a transnational industrial chain, developing the production of bio-based substances into a grand scheme that will change the industrial structure of Gan Valley. You can look it up; when your father persuaded Bobby Thornton to bid for a piece of land in Wudong Port, it was actually an industrial collaboration. In my opinion, your father and Suma, one wanting to change the medical industry and the other wanting to change the industries of Gan Valley, are more like two complete idealists.”
Milo remained stunned for a long time. The information he had gleaned from Glenn had now been answered, but he couldn't quite describe how he felt.
Relief? Or heaviness?
“I should have guessed it. If Richard Green dares to go all out, he will definitely pave a way out for you. Even if you can’t become Theo Green, being Milo or that foreign businessman would be fine. You shouldn’t come back.”
"Not to be Theo Green?" Milo chuckled. "In this world, besides the police chief of Wanyang City, who else can so easily erase a person's entire identity? Isn't it something Chief Barton can decide with just a word if I can't become Theo Green?"
A look of surprise flashed across Barton's face. After a moment, he seemed to realize something and said, "I know you don't want to believe me now, but the truth is, I haven't been able to access the internal network system since your family's case. I didn't do the thing that your identity information was altered."
“But you know who did it.” Milo looked at Barton with a brooding gaze. “You know that person has a personal relationship with Miles. I guess that person might be quite familiar with you?”
“Yes, but I can’t tell you.” Barton looked up and shook his head slightly. “Theo, I owe you for your father’s case; I couldn’t give your family a resolution. But what you’ve done now has gone too far. I can only guarantee that you leave here safely today. There’s nothing else I can do to help you. Even if you use Jesse to blackmail me, that’s still my answer.”
Milo smiled. "Chief Patton, since you've put it so plainly, I'll be frank too. I do need your help with something that's easy for you to do."
Barton knew that Milo meant he was tacitly agreeing to the plan of using Jesse as leverage, so he simply went along with it and asked, "What do you want?"
"Lanman law stipulates that if someone wants to transfer patent rights to a foreign national, they must obtain approval from the Lanman Business Academy and the science and technology department. Director Barton, I think you can help with this."
Barton frowned slightly, and quickly understood Milo's purpose: "You want to use your Frostraven citizenship to acquire the collaborative patent rights of Richard Green and Suma Natawa? Even if I can help you get approval, you should know that the patent rights are now inherited—"
“I know that patent is now in Blaise’s name.”
Barton shook his head: "Do you even know that the project that Gan Valley is currently focusing on developing relies on this patent? How could Blaise possibly transfer this patent to you? Giving it to you would be tantamount to cutting off their lifeline. Even if he were willing, the people behind him would never agree. Kid, you're daydreaming. If you do this, you're following in your father's footsteps; you're just throwing your life away."
"How is it a pipe dream to want my things back?" Milo stood up and said calmly, "So many people wanted me dead, and I still survived, didn't I? It wouldn't be surprising if more came. Or do you really think I'm afraid of death?"
Milo spoke calmly, but the obsession in his eyes made his calmness seem eerily unsettling, more like the ravings of a madman.
Patton fell silent for a long time and did not speak again.
*
"Get in the car." Jesse opened the car door. "We've been talking for so long, he didn't give you any trouble, did he?"
"When did you find out?" Milo stood by the car door, making no further move.
Jesse didn't move.
"Jesse, I'm not going back to Wudong Port. I want to stay in Wanyang. I want to—"
"Stop talking," Jesse forced a smile. "Really, Milo, stop talking, I don't want to know this."
"I just don't want to lie to you anymore."
"Then why were you able to lie before?" Jesse clenched his fists involuntarily, almost muttering to himself, "You really are that Theo Green? How could you be that Theo Green?"
Milomo stood there, watching Jesse's emotions gradually spiral out of control.
"So, these past four years have been nothing but manipulation? You knew who I was from the beginning. You approached me simply because I'm Patton's son?"
“Yes.” Milo paused. “I am not worthy to be your friend.”
"What a fine 'unworthy' statement! You've certainly managed to take it all in stride. Milo, I have only one question for you, I want to hear the truth from you." Jesse clenched his fists, his voice trembling as he asked, "Did Steven Thornton and Matsubara Yu's deaths really have anything to do with you?"
Milo looked at Jesse in silence.
Jesse must have had countless questions at this moment, but he could ignore, evade, and cover them up for any of them. There was one thing he couldn't hide: murder. As a police officer, Jesse had his own inviolable bottom line, and when he asked that question, he probably already knew the answer in his heart.
Milo knew that his relationship with Jesse was over. This day was bound to come sooner or later; he and Jesse were destined to go their separate ways. Their four years of friendship were nothing but a bubble of false prosperity. Once burst, it would reveal a puddle of fermenting swill, full of conspiracies and scheming.
Seeing Milo's silence, Jesse could no longer suppress his anger, disappointment, and sorrow. He turned around and slammed his fist against the car, a mixture of self-mockery and despair at what was happening before him.
Milo stood rooted to the spot, motionless. He thought Jesse should beat him up and hurl insults at him in his fury—that was right, he deserved to be despised. But another voice inside him mockingly reminded him that he knew Jesse wouldn't, and that was precisely why he dared to approach and exploit Jesse so brazenly, wasn't it?
"Go away," Jesse said, his voice muffled as he braced himself against the car roof. "I don't want to see you again."
Milo slowly moved forward, almost speaking, but ultimately held back. At his level, there was no need to say anything more; nothing could change the facts. It was better to go all the way, less hypocrisy, and completely sever this friendship.
As the footsteps faded into the distance, Jesse finally looked up. He stood there, watching the direction Milo had gone, and tears suddenly streamed down his face.
Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, he quickly wiped his face, turned around, and saw Barton standing in the doorway.
"He might have initially approached you with the intention of seeking justice, but as he gradually sided with Natawa's people, you should have realized he had made his choice. Violence against violence is not only illegal, but it can also completely destroy a person. Once he becomes accustomed to the thrill of power and killing, intelligence and rationality will become tools for crime, and his moral compass will naturally decline. Revenge is a slow-acting drug, and clearly, he's addicted. Jesse, do you naively believe that an addict can quit through conscience?"
Jesse straightened his back and stared directly at Barton: "Yes, he did a lot of wrong things, and he should be punished for his mistakes, but he still has a chance, he still has time to turn back."
Barton frowned. "Even now, do you still think this is a matter of whether he can turn back? Without revenge, his life has no meaning. Without the ending he wants, he can't possibly let himself go. He wasn't forced to get involved with Natawa's people; he did it voluntarily. It's just that even he's sophistry and whitewashing, deceiving himself into it. Jesse, the closer you get to him, the more you'll be dragged into the vortex. Compared to his years-long revenge plan, you've seriously overestimated your worth. Do you really think you can persuade him to stop?"
"What can I do then!" Jesse's voice suddenly rose. "Am I just going to watch him walk down a dead end? I'm not like you, I have feelings! Were you sad when Mom and my older brother died? Did you shed a single tear? Since you see things so clearly and analyze them so logically, how did you raise such an antisocial scumbag as my second brother?"
Barton frowned, clearly angered: "Do you know what kind of nonsense you're spouting!"
“You cold-blooded person only care about profit, what do you know? I pulled him back from hell! I saved him! For 1,801 days, Milo was by my side. When I was sick, he took care of me and cared for me. Yes, he used me, but I don’t believe it was all fake.” As he spoke, Jesse’s eyes reddened slightly. “He experienced unimaginable pain in his teens, living that twisted and morbid life. You can’t expect him to become a normal person according to your imagination. I know him, he is definitely not beyond help. Giving up after ruining him is something only you could do. I’m not like you! I won’t give up on him!”
These extremely cruel words pierced Barton's heart, tearing it to shreds. Barton remained silent for a long time, then asked Jesse, "Are you absolutely certain that he's the only one for you?"
Jesse's face trembled with emotion: "Yes, it has to be him."
“Fine. Apply for a transfer. His company has already settled in Wanyang. Do whatever you want, I won’t stop you.” Barton lowered his eyes. “But one day, you will understand what I’m saying today.”
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