Chapter 321: A Tangled Web of Security and Betrayal

Tanga Federation Island Base.

A Swan-class Planetary Bus slowly descended onto the airstrip.

This is the regular flight operated by Dream Technology between Earth and the Heaven Realm.

It exists primarily because some employees’ families have not yet passed security clearance and are still residing in the underground base.

These employees shuttle weekly between Earth and the Heaven Realm, much like many commuters living a dual-city life on Earth.

As the transfer vehicle delivered these people to the underground high-speed rail station, a few more disembarked the bus.

First came a woman in a distinctive blue security uniform, her delicate, beautiful features exuding heroic vigor.

It was Ning Shuangshuang, Minister of Dream Technology’s Security Department.

Accompanying her were several figures – an assistant, bodyguards, and a robot from the Iron Guard.

Not far off, a convoy awaited; a middle-aged man of average build had already stepped forward to greet them.

“Minister, I…”

“Just on the car,” he interjected.

Ning Shuangshuang abruptly cut off his report, and the group quickly boarded the vehicle.

Once inside, she spoke: “Director Xiao, has Board Member Hao Ren still prevented our entry?”

Director Xiao Mingcheng of Security Section One nodded. “Yes. He has deployed troops from Guard Division One of the Tanga Federation Capital to seal off that villa completely.”

“How did he get word in time to alert the federation’s forces? Did you leak some information?”

Xiao Mingcheng’s face darkened as he bowed his head. “It was my oversight. One of our security personnel, on friendly terms with Board Member Hao, informed him.”

Ning Shuangshuang turned to another man in the car and said, “Director Deng, I’m handing this over to your investigative division. Leave no stone unturned, but ensure no one is wrongly accused.”

Director Deng Lun nodded. “Yes, Minister.”

Ning Shuangshuang then looked back at Xiao Mingcheng and asked, “Can we confirm that Du Minghui is still inside the villa?”

“Yes.”

“Have all her subordinates been apprehended? Did anyone explain why they suddenly scattered?”

Xiao Mingcheng reported, “They’ve all been caught. Du Minghui ordered them to break up and infiltrate our company through the global recruitment drive, ultimately to gain access to the Heaven Realm.”

He continued, “They all claimed to be Japanese—former loyalists of the Watanabe clan, who had always followed Watanabe Minghui.”

He added, “This aligns with our suspicions. Watanabe Minghui approached Board Member Hao with ill intent, possibly seeking revenge on the company, as she suspected that her brother died at its hands.”

Ning Shuangshuang had rushed from the Heaven Realm precisely because Hao Ren was about to marry Du Minghui. When the related paperwork was submitted to the Security Department for review, discrepancies were discovered.

An in-depth investigation by Security Section One revealed that Du Minghui had concealed her true identity, posing a major security risk.

After consulting with Ning Shuangshuang, Xiao Mingcheng prepared to take decisive action against Du Minghui, only to find that all her subordinates had already fled.

Xiao acted swiftly, both pursuing the escapees and moving immediately against Du Minghui.

But unexpectedly, the news leaked, prompting Hao Ren to call in the Tanga Federation troops to secure the villa.

Ever since Ning Shuangshuang established the Security Department, ensuring the safety of Dream Technology’s underground base and the Heaven Realm has kept her incredibly busy for months.

Now that a comprehensive security clearance system is in place, and with help from Star Ocean, potential infiltrators are being exposed without fail.

Who would have thought that Hao Ren’s love life would attract schemers? It seems he’s in deep trouble now.

At that moment, Du Qiu was off to Mars and the asteroid belt, so she preferred not to disturb his work.

With a slight frown, Ning Shuangshuang mused, “Her brother, Watanabe Tomohito, was once the Director of the Intelligence Office under the Prime Minister of Japan. I recall he was sent to Africa to investigate Heiying Pharmaceutical Research Institute’s branch and the Ebola outbreak, only to die suddenly from a heart attack.”

“Yes. Both our database and information from Japan confirm that Watanabe Tomohito died of a heart attack.”

Ning Shuangshuang remarked in surprise, “Our records also show he died of heart disease, so that seems indisputable.

Then why does Watanabe Minghui believe our company is responsible for her brother’s death?”

Xiao Mingcheng hesitated before answering, “Her subordinates claimed that Watanabe Minghui was convinced her brother didn’t suffer from a heart condition.

Since he went to investigate matters related to Heiying Biotech and our company exposed the South Sudan outbreak caused by Heiying’s products, she might have concluded that we were targeting him.”

“Maybe Watanabe Minghui is just paranoid,” Director Deng interjected suddenly.

Ning Shuangshuang said firmly, “Regardless, we must take strong measures to uncover the truth.”

She continued, “Head straight to Dar es Salaam city. Is Board Member Hao Ren still at that villa?”

Xiao Mingcheng replied, “The federation’s troops arrived first, blocking our access. Hao Ren arrived later but was intercepted by our personnel.”

Ning Shuangshuang breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Hao Ren did not enter the villa and remain with Watanabe Minghui, it was fine. Who knows if Watanabe Minghui might, upon the plot’s imminent exposure, make a desperate move.

“It’s good he didn’t go in. You did well,” she affirmed.

The group then transferred to the underground high-speed rail. In less than ten minutes, they emerged from the underground base and set off in sedans toward a villa in the northern suburbs of Dar es Salaam city.

Although the villa was part of an upscale residential area, it stood isolated atop a low hill, accessible only by a dedicated road leading to the summit.

At the foot of the hill, troops from Guard Division One of the Tanga Federation Capital completely encircled the area, with a notable number of tanks and numerous armored vehicles.

Overhead, two armed helicopters circled, a sight that had the nearby residents terrified.

When Ning Shuangshuang’s convoy arrived, she got out immediately only to notice Hao Ren was absent. She asked, “Director Xiao, where is Board Member Hao Ren?”

Xiao Mingcheng was taken aback. A quick glance revealed that aside from a handful of security personnel and some Iron Guard inside, the only others were the soldiers of Guard Division One stationed about ten meters away.

“Xiao Zheng, why isn’t Board Member Hao Ren here? Has he returned?”

A young man jogged over, saluting Ning Shuangshuang and Xiao Mingcheng. “Report, Minister, Director: Board Member Hao Ren ordered Guard Division One to block us and then drove off by himself.”

Xiao Mingcheng pointed at Xiao Zheng. “How could you not stop him? This is a huge blunder…”

Ning Shuangshuang, eyeing the opposing Guard Division One soldiers, halted his reprimand. “It’s not their fault. They’re just a dozen men—how could they possibly stop such a large force?”

Xiao Mingcheng looked up to see an armed helicopter circling overhead. One even approached, its mounted weapons fixated on them as if ready to pounce.

He was visibly irritated. “The Tanga Federation military dares to act this way against us. They must be getting cocky.”

Ning Shuangshuang snapped, “Enough with the backtalk!” before signaling his assistant to connect the phone to President Mu Weini of the Tanga Federation.

“Minister Ning, hello. What’s prompted your call today? Is there an issue?”

Ning Shuangshuang replied, “President, I need to discuss something with you. Your son, Board Member Hao Ren, is dating a woman who has hidden her true identity. This could pose a serious security risk to the company.

We now need to take strong measures against her, yet Hao Ren has summoned Guard Division One to block our action. Worse still, he ignored our security personnel’s advice and went to meet her. I fear for his safety.”

President Mu Weini was stunned. “That girlfriend with issues? I’ve met her. She seems like a fine, virtuous Eastern lady.”

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