The snow kept falling until midnight without any sign of stopping.
Even the sea seemed to be covered by snow.
Sitting in the large conference room on the third floor of the Prohibition Bureau, one could see this peculiar sight through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows.
The newly appointed Prohibition Agent, Albertine Court, was sitting by the window, watching this scene.
He watched for a long time until the door of the conference room opened and someone walked in.
The person came slowly to his side and joined him in watching the snowy scenery outside.
"It’s quite troublesome to handle the aftermath, huh?" Albertine finally spoke, looking at the man beside him.
This man was none other than the director of the Winster City Prohibition Bureau, Marvin Price.
He seemed indeed a bit tired, unable to resist supporting his forehead with his hand.
He truly should be fatigued. Today, many people died at the Prohibition Bureau, and nothing was accomplished. It was a complete failure.
The compensation alone would be a huge sum, not to mention the responsibility he had to bear, even though the primary action lead, Lewis, was already dead.
"Lewis is dead. What are you thinking about?" Marvin was silent for a while, then looked at Albertine.
"I’m thinking this might actually be a good thing."
"Because he was a fool?"
"Not just that, he indeed completed his mission. Now, it’s time for us to proceed with the second phase of the plan."
"Oh?"
"On the way here, I finished reviewing Winster’s reports from the past two months. Lewis indeed offended everyone for us, but he also probed everyone for us. Now, the entire network of Winster City is in our grasp."
Albertine said, turning his head to look at Marvin.
"And I’ve discovered something else."
"What did you find?"
"Your target was never Ethan Polleta from the beginning."
"Then who is my target?"
"Ethan Polleta is indeed a good entry point, though his resilience exceeded expectations. However, until now, I still believe continuing through Ethan Polleta is the best approach because he is the most solid gate in Winster’s underground fortress. Remove him, and the entire fortress will collapse, then we’ll reach the heart of the fortress, which is your real target... Sandro."
With Sandro’s name spoken from Albertine’s mouth.
Marvin no longer looked at him, but turned his gaze toward the sea outside the floor-to-ceiling window.
At that moment, the rotating light from a lighthouse illuminated Marvin’s face unpredictably, reflecting light and shadow from Albertine’s glasses.
"Bringing you from the Royal Capital was indeed a correct decision, Albertine Court, the most outstanding graduate of the Royal Capital Public Security Bureau’s Special Action Division in the last three years, extremely intelligent, skilled at maneuvering the big picture, and cleared out Red Rock City’s underworld in just half a year, earning the title of Red Rock Governor, promoted to Chief Inspector upon returning to the Royal Capital, the youngest Chief Inspector in the past ten years. So, Chief Inspector, do you know what kind of person Sandro is?"
"Sandro, he’s a mystery. Based on existing data, it’s almost impossible to find his weaknesses. He stopped external activities ten years ago. He has no family, no mistress, and seemingly no hobbies... truly a saint of the underworld."
Albertine also looked toward the sea.
From this sea heading north, at the far end, lies Sandro’s castle.
Perhaps Marvin placed the headquarters of the Prohibition Bureau here just to keep an eye on that underworld saint.
"For the past two months, I’ve been watching him. No matter what happens outside, he hasn’t taken any action. I consider myself a seasoned hunter, but I’ve never seen prey like this." Marvin said slowly, finally asking, "Tell me about your second phase plan."
"It’s quite simple. First, Lewis’s death came at the perfect time. His death is a key."
Albertine shaped his fingers into the form of a key.
"What kind of key?"
"A key to unlocking Winster’s underground fortress."
——————————
When the snow covers the sea, it also covers the rooftops, the pond, the fountain, everything at the Bolita Family Manor.
Tonight, the snow is heavy, so after the banquet, Virel and Palon did not leave and decided to stay overnight.
After dinner, they tactfully left.
Because they knew very well, the remaining time was meant for the brothers.
A pair of brothers who hadn’t seen each other in twelve years.
Currently, Ethan and Vincent were drinking on the balcony where it was snowing.
Outside the window were the lawn and pond, now covered in snow.
"Ethan, do you remember? When we were young, one year, there was such heavy snowfall in Winster, and we had a snowball fight outside. We accidentally hit the glass, disturbing Father, who was in a meeting. He walked out angrily and asked who threw it."
"I remember, it was actually me who threw it, but Second Brother, you took the blame for me, and Father scolded you."
Ethan searched through his predecessor’s memories and indeed recalled such a moment.
It appears that Vincent had been a good brother from a young age.
"So, Vincent, where have you been all these years? Why are you only back now?"
If Vincent had returned earlier, then maybe Ethan wouldn’t be sitting here now, but would be an art student in the Royal Capital, enjoying university life.
That would be a very easy life.
Though perhaps, Vincent might have died alongside Leonardo on that night.
"Ethan, I can’t tell you where I’ve been or what happened, but believe me, I will always be your brother, I will always help you, and I will never do anything against the family."
Vincent looked at Ethan, his gaze deep and resolute.
"Will you trust me?"
"Yes, I trust you, Vincent."
Ethan looked at him and clinked his glass with Vincent’s.
Both of them drank their glasses dry.
At the next moment.
They simultaneously sensed someone approaching from the snowy night outside the window.
Ethan felt a great malice, so he chose to draw out the newly arrived ebony.
Yes, he indeed had this intention while designing this pair of guns, ebony and white ivory.
Vincent directly went out through the door.
Ten seconds later, in the snow, Vincent was entangled in a brawl with the bewildered uninvited guest, Klei. For more chapters visit novel fire.net
Meanwhile, Ethan was putting away his gun with a speechless expression.
"Klei, I told you next time to use the front door, why didn’t you listen?!"
"No, the snow is heavy. I wanted to hurry! And you, Vincent, I’m your Uncle Klei. After so many years, is this how you welcome me?"
Klei pointed at his own face with grievance, which was clearly reddened by a punch from Vincent.