Chapter 700
Marcus Wright froze in place.
His pupils contracted sharply as he stared at the subordinate who had rushed in. "Say that again?"
Grace Lorenz was also stunned.
Leo Wright frowned deeply, his fingers unconsciously clenching.
The man had already reached them, shoving his phone screen in front of their faces.
The screen was playing a clip of Professor Nathaniel Wright being interviewed.
Especially the part mentioning Benjamin Wright:
"Benjamin Wright came to me back then and asked, 'Are you willing to dedicate twenty years to the country?' We laid out a grand scheme, a deception that fooled everyone!... Now some are calling him a spy because he sponsored me, and I gave him money... That money, indeed, was from me. I wanted to transfer all the money I earned overseas back home. Using the pretext of purchasing advanced domestic technology, I wired it to him, deceiving everyone. Now, I've returned. Besides clearing my own name, I'm also here to clear Benjamin Wright's name!"
The voice in the video was clear and forceful.
Every word struck like a heavy hammer, pounding hard on the hearts of everyone present.
The corridor fell into a deathly silence.
Marcus Wright opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
He abruptly turned his head, looking toward the direction of the room where Benjamin Wright was being held.
Within the Special Operations Division, office doors were pushed open one after another.
Everyone stepped out.
They gathered silently in the corridor, their gazes fixed on Marcus Wright.
Then, following his line of sight, they looked toward that dark room.
Tears instantly welled up in Grace's eyes.
Her entire body trembled.
Grandpa was innocent...
He was never a traitor!
Grace violently pushed aside the person blocking her path and rushed toward that room like a madwoman.
Along the way, the originally heavily guarded sentries all stood in place.
No one stopped her.
One by one, their eyes reddened, looking toward that direction in disbelief.
Marcus Wright's lips trembled.
He slowly lifted his foot, about to take a step.
"Chief Wright!"
Someone else rushed in from outside, their voice urgent. "An important figure has accompanied Professor Nathaniel Wright here!"
Marcus Wright shuddered all over.
He quickly turned and strode out the main door.
Outside, a black sedan had just come to a stop.
The door opened, and an important figure frequently seen in the news stepped out first.
Immediately after, Professor Nathaniel Wright rushed out from the other side of the car.
He didn't even wait for his bodyguards, charging directly into the Special Operations Division's entrance.
Nathaniel Wright grabbed Marcus Wright's arm, his voice hoarse. "Where is Benjamin Wright?"
Marcus Wright was completely dazed.
He mechanically raised his hand, pointing toward the depths of the corridor.
Nathaniel Wright immediately released him and strode in that direction.
Everyone, including the Special Operations Division staff, all followed.
They trailed silently behind Nathaniel Wright, like a wordless procession.
At the end of the corridor, before the tightly closed door.
Muffled sobs from Grace could be heard from inside the room.
Nathaniel Wright stopped before the door.
He took a deep breath and straightened his suit.
Then, he reached out and pushed the door open.
The room was dim.
The windows were sealed shut, only a sliver of light seeped through the door crack.
Benjamin Wright sat on a chair, squinting his eyes against the sudden light.
He shakily raised a hand to shield his eyes.
Outside was a blinding white light.
Like a path leading to brightness.
Benjamin Wright paused, then gently patted Grace, who was crying on his lap.
"Grace."
His voice was aged yet calm. "Help me up. We have an esteemed guest."
Grace immediately wiped her tears and helped her grandfather up with effort.
Benjamin Wright walked step by step, his gait unsteady, toward the doorway.
He lifted his head and saw Nathaniel Wright standing outside.
Nathaniel Wright was fifty this year, in the prime of life.
Benjamin Wright was already eighty years old.
They were separated by an entire generation.
Yet at this moment, these two friends across the ages looked at each other.
Their eyes held a思念 so thick it was almost tangible.
And an unspoken默契.
The scene was utterly silent.
No one spoke.
Everyone's eyes were red.
One had lived under an alias overseas for over twenty years, enduring infamy, all for a technological breakthrough.
One had borne the罪名 of traitor at home, silently cooperating, never辩解.
When Evelyn Ross and Alexander Vance arrived, this was the scene they witnessed.
Evelyn looked at Nathaniel Wright, then at Benjamin Wright.
A phrase suddenly flashed through her mind.
The reason we can enjoy peaceful lives is because someone is carrying the weight for us.
Someone choked back a sob first.
Then, the suppressed emotions instantly erupted.
"Benjamin Wright!"
A young staff member stepped forward, bowing deeply. "I'm sorry! Last time I delivered a package to you, I spat in it... I'm despicable!"
"Benjamin Wright, I'm sorry too!"
Another person stepped forward, voice哽咽. "I secretly turned off the heating in your room... I deserve to die!"
"Benjamin Wright..."
"Benjamin Wright..."
Confessions echoed through the corridor.
Benjamin Wright merely waved his hand.
He looked at Nathaniel Wright, a smile appearing on his aged face. "You're back?"
Nathaniel Wright nodded forcefully. "I'm back."
Two words.
Yet they carried the weight of a thousand pounds.
Benjamin Wright smiled.
As he smiled, tears streamed down his face.
Nathaniel Wright stepped forward and tightly grasped the old man's hand.
Neither of them spoke again.
But everyone understood.
The grievances of these twenty years, the perseverance of these twenty years, in this moment, were all worth it.
Marcus Wright stood in place, his face pale.
He suddenly remembered his attitude toward Benjamin Wright these past days.
Remembered those冷言冷语.
Remembered those deliberate刁难.
His legs went weak, nearly causing him to collapse to his knees.
Just then, the important figure walked over.
He patted Marcus Wright's shoulder, his voice低沉. "Chief Wright, regarding this matter, you need to write a detailed report."
Marcus Wright trembled all over.
He lowered his head. "Yes."
The important figure then looked at Benjamin Wright and Nathaniel Wright.
His eyes were filled with respect.
"Gentlemen."
He spoke郑重ly. "The country thanks you."
Benjamin Wright shook his head.
He looked at Nathaniel Wright, then at the young people outside with reddened eyes.
"What we did is nothing."
His voice was soft, yet clearly reached everyone's ears. "As long as the country needs us, we are ready to do another twenty years."
The scene fell silent.
Then, thunderous applause erupted.
Evelyn stood outside the crowd, watching this scene.
She suddenly felt that her own so-called difficulties, her so-called grievances, were utterly insignificant compared to these people.
Alexander Vance tightened his grip on her hand.
They exchanged a glance.
Both saw the same震撼, the same respect in each other's eyes.
In the corridor, the applause did not cease for a long time.
Benjamin Wright, supported by Grace, slowly walked out of the room.
He stepped into the sunlight, squinting as he looked at the sky.
Then, he smiled.
"The weather is lovely today."
He said.
Nathaniel Wright stood beside him, also looking up at the sky.
"Yes."
He said softly. "It truly is."
The two stood side by side.
One with white hair, aged.
One in the prime of life.
Yet they both carried the same radiance.
A radiance named "faith."
Evelyn watched their背影, suddenly understanding.
Some people live not for themselves.
They live so that more people can live better lives.
These are heroes.
Nameless, yet great.