Without turning his head, Feier could tell who was behind him just by the sound.
He paused, his hand hovering over the car door handle, and after a brief mont of thought, turned around.
"Selena."
The figure standing behind him was none other than Selena, the personal assistant and secretary to the President's National Security Advisor.
"Old friend."
Selena smiled as she stepped closer.
Feier instinctively took a step back, but the car behind him blocked his path, leaving him no room to retreat.
"I know what you're trying to do, Selena. There's really nothing left to say between us. Whatever you want from , I can't give it to you. Stop wasting your ti on ."
"Are you really so afraid to see ? Do you hate because I left you back then, because love turned to hate?"
Selena appeared composed and confident, continuing to move forward until she was barely an inch away from Feier.
Feier tensed up, his breathing growing heavier.
"This is a public place. The area's filled with colleagues who just left the event. Aren't you worried…"
"Worried about what?"
Selena spread out her hands, glancing around.
"Don't tell people in the industry aren't already aware of our relationship. You're my ex-boyfriend, and I'm your ex-girlfriend. Is it a cri to have dated?"
"Oh, God!"
Feier groaned.
"Can you stop being so self-centered? Always thinking I'm opposing bureaucrats out of so grudge-driven hatred, as if love gone sour is my driving force. We're not on the sa path, Selena. I made that clear years ago. You're an ambitious woman, willing to sacrifice anything—even your soul—for your ideals. Not . Stop wasting your ti on ."
His tone was harsh.
But Selena wasn't the least bit offended.
She remained patient, smiling warmly. "How about this? Let's not et as old friends but as professionals: I, as Mr. Hudson's assistant, discuss business with you, the rising star and dia company owner. There's a nice café just 500 ters away. It won't take much of your ti."
Feier hesitated.
Selena pressed on, "Just ten minutes. I promise—we'll only talk work."
"Okay!"
At last, Feier gave in to her persistent soft persuasion.
"But only ten minutes. After ten minutes, I'm leaving."
"No problem. It's been ages since we last had coffee together."
Feier closed his car door and, under Selena's lead, they walked through the small wooded area near the office complex and left the event site behind.
A few minutes later, the two sat at a corner table in a nearby café.
Since it was work hours, the café was not crowded, and lodic music drifted through the air.
After ordering two coffees and a plate of cookies, their conversation began in earnest.
"Feier, drop this story."
Selena cut straight to the point, knowing there was no point in beating around the bush with soone like Feier.
Years ago, they had both graduated from the sa university's journalism program, entered the workforce together, and started dating in their freshman year. They broke up five years post-graduation.
Their split stemd from clashing personalities: both stubborn, unwavering once they decided on their respective paths. This irreconcilability eventually led them down separate roads.
Despite all the years that had since passed, age might have llowed their youthful appearances, but their core personalities hadn't changed one bit.
"Drop it?!"
Feier swirled his coffee spoon, suddenly laughing out loud as if he'd just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.
"Hahaha! Selena, don't tell you're foolish enough to try bribing with so kind of deal?"
"I know you're soone who doesn't yield to either intimidation or persuasion. If you've made up your mind, you'll see it through. But let warn you—this is sothing you truly cannot touch."
Selena's expression turned serious.
This seriousness gave Feier pause for a split-second.
He could tell she wasn't bluffing.
She ant every word.
For a fleeting mont, Feier recalled his own earlier misstep.
When Song Heping handed over the information to him, he'd warned Feier that the material was extraordinarily sensitive. It implicated high-ranking figures in the United States and revealed nurous unspeakable secrets connected to the CIA. The individuals involved weren't rely retired Special Soldiers—every one of them existed solely in confidential databases, their identities untraceable. Many likely had connections to the "Elder Council."
Song Heping had warned Feier: after taking the materials to the press conference and causing a sensation, he must imdiately distribute the information to as many colleagues as possible.
Only full exposure—which ruined the exclusivity while creating widespread uproar—could ensure his safety.
In that mont, Feier felt his resolve waver.
He suddenly realized just how dangerous his situation was.
The rush of exhilaration from the accolades of his peers had evaporated, and the giddy sense of triumph was gone. He was grounded once more, staring down the precarious circumstances he faced.
Selena clearly sensed his hesitance, seizing the mont to press further. "There's still ti to back down. I know you don't care about personal gain, but this could bring you more than you ever imagined. Beyond anything you can grasp. Don't you see what I'm saying?"
Her expression was utterly sincere.
So sincere that Feier knew, should she proposition him tonight at a hotel to rekindle old flas, she wouldn't hesitate to agree.
But then Feier's own words from their breakup years ago ca to mind—how he'd said he would never sell his soul for money or power. Not even to stay with Selena.
"Thanks for your concern, my old friend. But you've just reminded —if this information makes you so uneasy, its value must be enormous. And you've also made realize how genuinely dangerous my situation is. I let myself float earlier, but now I know what I need to do. I should've released the docunts imdiately at the press conference to strip away its exclusivity while making it a bombshell. I understand the risks now. Thank you for your warning, but I'm standing by my principles!"
With that, he abruptly stood up, downed his coffee in one gulp, pulled out his wallet, and tossed cash onto the table. "Keep the change," he told the waiter.
Then, he turned and strode for the exit.
He hadn't taken more than a few steps when Selena called after him.
"Feier!"
He stopped mid-stride and turned back once more.
Heh.
He didn't know why, but every ti she called his na, he couldn't help but look back…
"Have you really thought it through? I won't ask for the source of your information—I don't care about that. But we were classmates once and weathered so of the hardest tis together. Back when we ca to New York to carve out a life, when things fell apart and we moved to D.C., when we stayed together through all the poverty… until life improved, until you found a decent job and I joined a congressman's office. Things finally improved, then we parted ways. Feier, you're the only man I've ever truly loved. No exceptions. I admire your purity and dedication. But hear out—let go of this. Walk away. Hand over the information, and you'll be safe."
Feier hesitated, his lips trembling as if about to respond.
In the end, he said nothing and walked away.
Crossing the street just outside the café, Selena—still seated inside—picked up her phone and dialed a number.
"He's left the café. Are your preparations in place?"
"Everything is ready. Trust us, ma'am."
"Good."
Selena lowered the phone, her face slowly transforming into an unreadable, cold mask until no trace of emotion remained—like a piece of unyielding marble.
She turned her head to watch the direction Feier had taken.
Perhaps he'd gone too far; his figure was no longer visible.
On the streets of D.C., cars edged along in slow streams. A few yellow leaves fell from the roadside trees, swirling montarily in the air before landing on the asphalt, where the wind picked them up again, spinning them in a lonely dance. The atmosphere carried an undeniable air of desolate foreboding.
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