Chapter 646

Grace Lorenz stood before Deputy Director Marcus Wright, head bowed.

Her fingernails dug into her palms.

She couldn't utter a single word.

Her lips moved, wanting to defend herself, but no sound came out.

Every word from Deputy Director Wright felt like a nail, hammered into her heart.

She knew better than anyone how grave her grandfather's mistake was.

Tears silently slid down her face, splashing onto the floor.

She finally looked up, her voice trembling. "Uncle Marcus... I'm sorry."

Deputy Director Wright stared at her for a long moment, then reached out and patted her shoulder. "Grace, I've watched you grow up. I believe you're clean."

Grace's eyes snapped up, red-rimmed. "Really?"

"Yes," Deputy Director Wright nodded, but his tone grew heavy. "But you are the family member of a spy. You know the department's rules."

Grace's body stiffened.

Of course she knew.

She had memorized those rules countless times.

Her eyes instantly reddened further. She stood there like a lost child, dazed and unsure what to do.

Deputy Director Wright sighed. "Forget it. You're just a girl, after all..."

Someone immediately spoke up from the side. "Deputy Director! In the Special Operations Division, there is no distinction between men and women, only comrades! Her grandfather is a spy. She must be dealt with according to the rules!"

Deputy Director Wright frowned. "Give her some dignity."

The person pressed their lips together and fell silent.

But Grace suddenly spoke. "No need."

Everyone was stunned, their eyes turning to her in unison.

Evelyn Ross tugged on the sleeve of the person beside her and asked in a low voice, "What rules?"

Seeing it was her, the person immediately answered respectfully. "First Senior Sister... our department has an old rule. If a family member becomes a spy, the person is either negligent or complicit. So... that person must be expelled from the department, and then..."

"And then what?"

The person paused, lowering their voice further. "Do you know about the Beggars' Sect?"

Evelyn was taken aback. "I know of it."

"Our department survived its early years partly through begging. So there used to be a ritual—when someone became the leader, the others had to spit on them as a sign of respect."

Evelyn's pupils contracted.

She remembered that scene from The Legend of the Condor Heroes where Huang Rong became the sect leader.

For the Beggars' Sect, it was a ritual. For people today... it was humiliation.

She suddenly understood. "You mean..."

The person sighed. "If someone's family produces a spy, that person must endure the spitting and curses from everyone, and then be kicked out of the Special Operations Division."

A chill ran down Evelyn's spine. She abruptly turned to look out the window.

Old Mr. Benjamin Wright's office was right next door.

He stood in the empty room, quietly watching this side.

Through the glass, his figure was somewhat blurred.

Evelyn's heart ached as if pierced by needles, a dense, sharp pain.

Old Mr. Wright had known about this rule all along.

Yet he still confessed.

Even if his beloved granddaughter had to suffer humiliation...

He still wanted outsiders to believe—he was truly a spy.

Evelyn clenched her fists and stepped forward. "No!"

Everyone looked at her.

She stared at Deputy Director Wright, her voice low and firm. "This kind of unwritten, archaic rule shouldn't be followed!"

Deputy Director Wright shook his head with a sigh.

But Li Mi suddenly stepped forward. "No!"

All eyes turned to him.

This man, who had always followed Grace and curried favor with Old Mr. Wright, now wore a cold, hard expression. "I used to respect them, but now I know what they've done! Rules are rules! It's precisely because of this rule that everyone keeps a close watch on their families! If you failed to watch closely, you're at fault!"

Some people nodded in agreement.

Deputy Director Wright frowned. "Grace is still an intern. Let it go..."

As he spoke, the others fell silent.

But Grace suddenly lifted her head, her voice hoarse. "No!"

Her eyes were swollen and red, but she stood straight. "Uncle Marcus, a mistake is a mistake! I accept the punishment! The department's rules shouldn't be broken because of me!"