Chapter 623

Deputy Director Wright frowned, his gaze falling on the document in her hand.

"What is this?"

Evelyn Ross extended the file forward.

"Take a look first."

Deputy Director Wright did not take it.

But Leo Wright couldn't hold back.

He snatched it over, flipped it open, and scanned it with a scoff.

"What is this nonsense?"

Someone behind him peeked over.

"Isn't this the pledge we wrote when we joined the department?"

Deputy Director Wright was taken aback.

"What?"

Leo shoved the booklet into his father's hands.

Deputy Director Wright looked down.

On the yellowed pages, dense handwriting filled the space.

It was the oath written by every person when they first joined the Special Operations Division.

Over time, many had long forgotten.

But this booklet had been preserved.

Deputy Director Wright turned to page thirty-six.

Two lines of text were there.

The first line, written with powerful, vigorous strokes, exuded character: For the great rejuvenation of our nation!

The signature belonged to Elder Benjamin Wright.

The second line had childish, crooked handwriting, yet each stroke was written with earnest care: For the great rejuvenation of our nation!

Deputy Director Wright stared at that line, his fingers trembling slightly.

Grace Lorenz leaned closer, surprised.

"This is Grandpa's handwriting... and this below?"

Leo curled his lip.

"Who wrote this? It's so ugly."

Deputy Director Wright suddenly raised his hand and smacked the back of his son's head.

"Shut up! When your father was five, writing like this was already pretty good!"

Leo shrank his neck, muttering.

"Dad, this pledge of yours is a bit too grand..."

Young people didn't understand.

Behind these words lay the blood and sweat of countless predecessors.

Forty-five years ago, the nation was far from what it is today.

It was countless people who paved this road with their lives.

Deputy Director Wright suddenly remembered what Elder Benjamin had said while holding him.

"The Special Operations Division doesn't belong to the Wright family. It belongs to everyone. Xiao Liu, you must remember, our duty is to protect this land, to prevent any force from threatening our nation."

Evelyn handed over another, newer booklet.

It was the pledge book from thirty years ago.

Deputy Director Wright took it and slowly opened it.

On the page belonging to him, the handwriting was much more mature.

[For the great rejuvenation of our nation! To be the nation's safest guardian!]

Deputy Director Wright's eyes grew hot.

His original aspiration.

He had almost forgotten it.

Zhang Tai was still fanning the flames beside him.

"Don't use grand ideals to pressure people! If the International Division wants to take someone, can you stop them?"

"Shut up!"

Deputy Director Wright shouted sharply.

He looked at Evelyn, his voice low.

"I haven't forgotten my duty. But what does the International Division wanting someone have to do with this?"

Evelyn met his gaze directly.

"Deputy Director Wright, the Special Operations Division has been investigating the Sterling Family. You should know that, right?"

Deputy Director Wright's pupils contracted.

"You mean..."

"Nicole Sterling is a member of the Sterling Family," Evelyn said calmly. "Otherwise, why would Elder Benjamin specially approve the arrest warrant?"

Deputy Director Wright was stunned.

Zhang Tai said urgently, "Nonsense! That prisoner isn't surnamed Sterling at all! Nicole Sterling is just the name she used in our country, a random name foreigners give. You really think she's a Sterling Family member?"

"All personnel, attention!"

Deputy Director Wright suddenly shouted loudly.

All members of the Special Operations Division instantly stood at attention, their postures ramrod straight.

Deputy Director Wright straightened his spine; his beer belly seemed to recede a little.

His gaze swept over everyone as he spoke word by word.

"Director Benjamin is not here. I am acting in his stead. Now, I order—no one is to take the prisoner, Nicole Sterling!"

Silence fell over the scene.

Evelyn looked at Deputy Director Wright, a flicker of respect in her eyes.

Luke Wright stood to the side, a slight smile curling his lips.

Zhang Tai's face was livid. He wanted to say more but was forced back by a look from Deputy Director Wright.

Deputy Director Wright turned and looked at the people from the International Division, his voice firm and resoSterlingt.

"Within our nation's borders, the Special Operations Division has the final say. You will not take this person."

The International Division representative frowned.

"Deputy Director Wright, are you opposing the International Division?"

"Opposing?" Deputy Director Wright laughed. "I am merely fulfilling my duty. Protecting our nation, protecting every person who deserves protection."

He looked at Evelyn, his expression complex.

"You win."

Evelyn shook her head.

"It's not that I won. It's that you've come to understand."

Deputy Director Wright took a deep breath and waved to those behind him.

"Stand down! Take the person back to the interrogation room. Guard her strictly!"

The Special Operations Division personnel responded in unison.

"Yes!"

The crowd began to withdraw in an orderly manner.

Zhang Tai glared fiercely at Evelyn before turning to leave.

Leo moved closer to his father and asked quietly.

"Dad, do you really believe her?"

Deputy Director Wright looked at the pledge booklet in his hand and said slowly.

"I believe in my original aspiration."

He closed the booklet and handed it to Evelyn.

"Where did you find these things?"

Evelyn took it.

"Elder Benjamin's study. He said if you forgot, to let you see this."

Deputy Director Wright smiled bitterly.

"The old man foresaw this day would come."

He paused, then asked again.

"Is Nicole Sterling really a member of the Sterling Family?"

Evelyn nodded.

"Yes. That's why she cannot be handed over to the International Division. The Sterling Family's secrets must remain within our nation."

Deputy Director Wright was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

"I understand."

He turned to leave but stopped, looking back at Evelyn.

"Thank you."

Evelyn gave a slight smile.

"You're welcome. Protecting our nation is our shared responsibility."

Deputy Director Wright also smiled.

In that moment, he seemed to return to thirty years ago, to that young man who wrote the pledge.

The passion was not yet cold.

The original aspiration remained.