Liu Hui’s parents immediately boarded a private jet bound for the United States to handle Chen Lang’s affairs. Unable to travel there himself, Liu Hui maintained close contact with Zhou Tengyun and Desheng, who were already in America.

Upon their arrival in the US, Desheng and the others immediately launched an investigation within the very room where Chen Lang had taken his life. Their efforts were not in vain; after a meticulous, carpet-search of the room, they finally uncovered some critically important evidence.

So, during a call with Liu Hui using the spirit energy communicator, Desheng began briefing him on the specifics: “Boss, on the surface, Chen Lang shot himself in the room. And accompanying him in death by gunshot was a woman.”

“Gunshot suicide? And another woman committed suicide with him? Who was this woman?” Liu Hui inquired.

“The woman’s name is Ouyang Shafei. She used to be a famous actress in Hong Kong, but three years ago, she retired from the film world and simply vanished,” Desheng reported.

“Ouyang Shafei?” Liu Hui was astonished.

Liu Hui knew Ouyang Shafei. She had deliberately approached him back then, attempting to sow discord between him and Chen Lang, nearly turning the two into true enemies. Fortunately, Chen Lang eventually discovered Ouyang Shafei’s true nature and personally resolved the animosity with Liu Hui. From that point on, Ouyang Shafei disappeared; no one knew where she went. How could she now be committing suicide alongside Chen Lang?

“Yes, that’s the woman. Chen Lang was a deeply infatuated man. Although he realized Ouyang Shafei’s approach was calculated and meant to use him, he couldn't forget her over all these years. Even when his father urged him to marry any woman of his choosing, he repeatedly refused, unwilling to settle down with anyone else,” Desheng explained.

As the intelligence chief of “Starlight City,” Desheng possessed an extremely wide network of sources. He knew everything that had transpired between Liu Hui, Chen Lang, and Ouyang Shafei back then. He also knew that Chen Lang had remained obsessively infatuated with Ouyang Shafei afterward, even defying Chen Shaokang’s orders several times, which repeatedly foiled Chen Shaokang’s scheme to lure Liu Hui’s mother to America under the pretense of his son’s marriage.

“Since Chen Lang and Ouyang Shafei had separated, and Shafei had disappeared, how did they end up committing suicide together?” Liu Hui asked.

“We carefully examined the suicide scene of Chen Lang and Ouyang Shafei. Superficially, it appeared they died by mutual suicide over love. However, during our thorough search of the room, we found a miniature voice recorder taped beneath the toilet in the bathroom. Inside this recorder, we discovered a conversation Chen Lang risked recording before his death, finally revealing the true cause of his demise,” Desheng stated.

“What’s on this recording?” Liu Hui asked.

“Boss, I’m sending you the contents of the recorder now. Once you listen, you’ll understand the full story behind Chen Lang’s death. However, I must affirm that this audio we obtained is absolutely authentic and reliable, without any modification or editing.” With that, Desheng transmitted the recovered audio file to Liu Hui.

Liu Hui received the audio Chen Lang had recorded and immediately played it on his computer.

The sounds of a scuffle came from the recording, followed by Chen Lang’s voice asking, “Shafei, who are they?”

“William, how could it be you? How did you find this place?” Ouyang Shafei asked in alarm, failing to answer Chen Lang’s question.

A smooth, temperate male voice spoke, “Shafei, did you truly think you could escape our grasp? No, you were mistaken. The ‘Professor’ knows everything, can do anything. Even if you fled to the ends of the earth, under the ‘Professor’s’ guidance, we would still bring you back.”

Ouyang Shafei’s trembling voice replied, “So the ‘Professor’ already knew I was here. How absurd, I thought I had finally broken free of his control. Fine, I’ll come back with you immediately. This man knows nothing; he’s just an outsider. Let him go!”

Chen Lang immediately interjected, “Shafei…”

The man laughed, “If Chen Lang, the sole heir of Amy Group, is considered an outsider, then surely he thinks too little of us.”

Ouyang Shafei said anxiously, “You’re looking for me; I’ll go with you. Please don’t make things difficult for Chen Lang.”

The man chuckled, “Shafei! Did you really believe you could slip away from the ‘Professor’ alone, travel to America, and find your former lover without us noticing? You were wrong. From the moment you left, you never truly left our sight.”

Ouyang Shafei exclaimed in shock, “If you knew I had escaped long ago, why wait until now to capture me?”

The man smiled, “Shafei, the ‘Professor’ said he wants to thank you. It is precisely because you came to America that we could intercept Chen Lang of Amy Group here. Therefore, we should be grateful to you.”

Ouyang Shafei paused, then shrieked, “I understand now! You intentionally let me go so I could lure Chen Lang to America. Your true target was Chen Lang all along?”

The man chuckled, “Precisely. What you just said is exactly our plan for this trip. Shafei, you have completed the ‘Professor’s’ mission, and he will forgive you upon your return. You can step aside now.”

Ouyang Shafei suddenly roared, “Don’t come near him! I won’t let you hurt him. Ah Lang, run…”

Chen Lang said suddenly, “Shafei, you still defend me at a time like this. I’m quite content. As the man here, let me handle the rest!”

Ouyang Shafei cried out fearfully, “But they want to capture you…”

Chen Lang reasoned, “Since they want to capture me, it means I still have some value. They probably won’t harm me now.”

The man applauded, “As expected of Chen Lang, discerning the situation so clearly in an instant. Usually, you hide away in the Amy Group headquarters, never venturing out except perhaps to ‘Starlight City,’ leaving us no opportunity to seize you. If it weren't for the escaped Miss Shafei arranging to elope with you, we might never have cornered you so conveniently!”

Ouyang Shafei wailed, “Ah Lang, I’ve ruined you. I’ve ruined you…”

Chen Lang comforted her, “Shafei, don’t blame yourself. Even without you, they would have found me eventually; it was only a matter of time. The fact that you sought me out and agreed to elope makes me happy. It shows you still care for me.”

The man began to clap slowly, chuckling, “Truly touching! Deserving of being called the most moving couple of the new century. Chen Lang, we won’t make things difficult for you. Just agree to do one thing for us, and once it’s done, we’ll grant you complete freedom and reunite you with Miss Shafei. What do you say?”

Chen Lang sounded tempted, asking, “What kind of task requires my involvement?”

The man stated, “Chen Lang, isn't the owner of ‘Starlight City,’ Liu Hui, actually your biological brother?”

Chen Lang gasped, “How do you know that?”

The man replied with a tone of deep deference, “Under the leadership of the ‘Professor,’ we know all.” His tone then shifted, “Chen Lang, we are fully aware of the history between your family and Liu Hui’s family. Nothing about you and Liu Hui being biological brothers can be hidden from our eyes.”

Chen Lang pondered for a moment, then asked, “What is it you want me to do?”

The man replied, “Infiltrate ‘Starlight City’ and help us steal some top-secret data.”

Chen Lang countered, “Didn’t you just say your ‘Professor’ knows everything? If your intelligence capabilities are so formidable, why don’t you steal this top-secret information yourselves instead of relying on me? I’m merely a spoiled heir; I couldn't possibly handle something as critical as intelligence gathering.”

The man sounded slightly frustrated as he explained, “Chen Lang, to be frank, although the ‘Professor’ knows all, ‘Starlight City’ is a blind spot for our intelligence network. For unknown reasons, every operative we’ve sent into ‘Starlight City’ has either failed or disappeared. We have no idea what’s happening there. Because we are powerless against ‘Starlight City,’ we turned to you. You and Liu Hui are brothers; you can enter and exit ‘Starlight City’ freely. Liu Hui shouldn't be suspicious of you. In that scenario, stealing the confidential data from ‘Starlight City’ would be as easy as taking candy from a baby.”

Chen Lang stated, “I’m sorry, I cannot do that.”

The man pressed, “Chen Lang, think carefully. If you succeed in this, not only can you be with Miss Shafei immediately, but there's a strong possibility your father could reunite with your mother. Can you really remain unmoved in the face of all that?”

Chen Lang asked, “You mean this task could allow my father and mother to be together again?”

The man smiled, “Naturally. Think about it carefully. Why didn't your mother choose to stay with your father? It’s because Liu Hui wields immense power. He used his influence to pressure your mother, perhaps even threatening the lives of you and your father, forcing her to stay with Liu Hui’s father. This is the real reason your family remains divided. If you help us steal the confidential data from ‘Starlight City’ so that the great ‘Professor’ can find the weakness in ‘Starlight City’ and ultimately destroy it, Liu Hui will lose the power he uses to threaten your mother. Wouldn’t your whole family then be reunited?”

Chen Lang suddenly laughed, saying, “You paint such a beautiful picture of our future; it seems I have no choice but to follow your arrangement?”

The man grinned, “As soon as you agree, Miss Shafei can be with you immediately. Being with a beauty like Miss Shafei—hasn’t that always been your dream?”

Chen Lang replied, “I apologize, but I still cannot do this.”

The man paused, asking, “Why not?”

Chen Lang explained, “Because you haven’t witnessed the might of ‘Starlight City’ firsthand. It’s not that I look down on you, but based on what you’ve said about the ‘Professor,’ even if he knew ‘Starlight City’s’ secrets, he couldn't destroy it. If my attempt to steal their confidential data were exposed, my own life would be secondary, but it would certainly cause an irreparable rift between my mother and father, eliminating any chance for them to ever be together again. As their son, that is an outcome I absolutely cannot permit.”

The man paused for only a moment before recovering, saying, “But don’t you want to take a chance? What if you succeed? If you had seen the ‘Professor’ in Europe, you would understand the source of our confidence.”

Chen Lang responded, “I’m sorry, I have no faith in you whatsoever. Your opposition to ‘Starlight City’ is doomed to a bad end. As a son, I have watched my father suffer from heartache over missing my mother for years. I truly cannot imagine the devastating impact on my parents’ relationship should this plan fail. At that point, they would have no reason left to be together. Therefore, for the slim possibility that my parents might reunite, I will never assist you.”

Silence descended upon the room; no one spoke. The man clearly hadn't anticipated that Chen Lang would be such a dutiful son, and that Chen Lang’s entire motivation was fundamentally different from theirs.

After a period of quiet, a woman’s scream suddenly erupted in the room. Chen Lang yelled, “Shafei… What are you doing? Let her go now!”

The man maintained his smooth, temperate voice, “Chen Lang, we admire your filial piety in looking out for your parents. However, if you fail to meet our demands today, Miss Shafei will die right before your eyes. You don't wish your father to be sad, but are you prepared to let a woman who loves you so dearly perish?”

The sounds of a struggle suddenly echoed in the room, followed by a few sharp cries from Chen Lang.

The man was beginning to lose his composure, snarling, “Chen Lang, a common man like you trying to snatch Shafei from our hands. Don’t force our hand. Whether you agree or not, you will agree today. Since you choose to protect this woman’s safety, we’ll leave you a souvenir!”

The sound of kicking and punching resumed, while Chen Lang gritted his teeth and endured. Ouyang Shafei shrieked, “Stop it! Don’t hit him…”

The man seemed tired of fighting, panting as he ordered, “Give me the gun.” A subordinate immediately handed him one.

“Chen Lang, I’ll ask you one last time: do you accept our terms?” the man demanded, followed by the metallic click of a round being chambered.

Chen Lang ignored the man’s question and laughed, “Shafei, I’m sorry. I can’t be so selfish as to ruin my father’s happiness for my own.”

Ouyang Shafei cried out, “Ah Lang, I won’t blame you…”

The man seemed genuinely enraged. “Since you refuse, Chen Lang, I’ll put a bullet right here,” he said, “and ensure you can never be a man again…”

Ouyang Shafei screamed, “No! William, stop!”

The sounds of a struggle echoed again, suddenly punctuated by a single gunshot, after which the room fell silent. Then, Chen Lang’s frantic shouts were heard: “Shafei, what’s wrong? Speak to me! Don’t scare me, please talk to me…”

Unfortunately, no voice came from Ouyang Shafei in the room; it seemed she had been wounded by the accidental discharge of the firearm during the struggle.

Chen Lang cried out in anguish, “Shafei, no, you can’t leave me! We were supposed to be together, we were going to have so many children! Please answer me…”

The man hadn't anticipated that an action intended to threaten Chen Lang would result in Ouyang Shafei lunging for the gun, causing it to misfire and strike her instead. He faltered momentarily before ordering, “You few, move Shafei’s body to the bathroom immediately.”

Chen Lang shouted, “Stay away from Shafei! Don’t touch her!”

Then came more sounds of a scuffle, followed by the sound of someone being carried into the bathroom, while Chen Lang chased after them, letting out harrowing sobs inside. It was at this precise moment that the small voice recorder emitted a burst of static, followed by a faint click, and the volume of the voices in the room seemed to diminish slightly.

Hearing this segment, Liu Hui understood that Chen Lang had used the opportunity of chasing into the bathroom to cry while discreetly hiding the miniature recorder in a concealed corner of the toilet stall.

The man said, “Pull him out.”

Chen Lang was subsequently dragged out. He spat furiously, “You executioners, I will not let you go! If I manage to escape, I swear I will kill every single one of you and avenge my Shafei. Even if I die here today, my brother Liu Hui will avenge us.”

The man suddenly stated, “The plan has failed. You have lost your usefulness. Since that is the case, give us one last effort!” Following this, another gunshot rang out in the room, and Chen Lang’s voice ceased entirely.

Another man in the room said, “Boss, is this wise? Our target was Chen Lang, and now you’ve killed him…”

The man replied, “We accidentally killed Ouyang Shafei just now. Do you think Chen Lang would still agree to cooperate with us? He now views us as enemies; the possibility of recruiting him is completely gone.”

“Boss, what about our mission now?” the other man asked.

The man suddenly spoke with reverence, “The ‘Professor’ is indeed omniscient. The mission you were aware of—recruiting Chen Lang—was merely the plan devised by the ‘Professor.’ The ‘Professor’ had already foreseen the possibility of this outcome and specifically established a Plan B that would immediately follow. My killing Chen Lang is simply the execution of the ‘Professor’s’ Plan B.”

“Plan B? What is that plan?” the other man inquired.

“Plan B is to stage Chen Lang and Ouyang Shafei’s deaths as a lovers' suicide, thereby luring Liu Hui’s mother to America for the funeral. We will dispatch elite operatives to kidnap Liu Hui’s mother and take her to our European headquarters. This way, we can exploit Liu Hui’s mother to extract more assets from him,” the man explained.

“But even if Liu Hui’s mother comes to America for the funeral, she will undoubtedly be surrounded by a host of experts. After all, the Star Guard Security Company is full of top-tier masters. With our current strength, how could we possibly abduct her?” the other man questioned.

The man smiled, “Any expert is mere dust before the ‘Professor.’ Don’t worry. The ‘Professor’ is already in America. The moment Liu Hui’s mother shows herself in the US, she won't escape the Professor’s grasp.”

The other man immediately responded with deep respect, “The ‘Professor’ truly is a god. If he acts personally, capturing even Liu Hui inside ‘Starlight City’ wouldn't be an issue, let alone Liu Hui’s mother, who has come to America, leaving the protection of ‘Starlight City’!”

Then, the recording played the man instructing his subordinates on how to stage the scene to look like a gunshot suicide. After a flurry of rustling sounds, the man declared with satisfaction, “Perfect. Even I, looking at it now, would believe Chen Lang and Ouyang Shafei truly committed suicide here out of love. Look at these two suicide notes—the craftsmanship is superb!”

Immediately following this, a chorus of sycophantic praise for William erupted in the room.

Liu Hui listened to the entire recording with a cold expression. When he finally heard Chen Lang vow that his brother would avenge him, a soft spot in his heart stirred. His estranged elder brother, despite their near-total lack of affection, and despite Chen Lang’s refusal to steal data for Liu Hui’s own father’s sake, had nevertheless, in his final moments, transmitted a dying wish through this hidden recorder: a plea for vengeance.

Perhaps Chen Lang believed Liu Hui was omnipotent and would certainly find the recorder, thus learning of his last wish. Hearing this request, the first of its kind from his elder brother in his entire life, Liu Hui silently vowed to avenge Chen Lang in the future, ensuring his brother would not die with his grievance unsettled.

In this audio recording, Liu Hui learned several crucial facts. First, the "Professor" had struck against him once again. After failing to steal the data using Chen Lang, the Professor quickly devised an ingenious plan: utilizing Chen Lang's demise to lure his own mother to the United States, where she was then abducted to serve as leverage against him. Liu Hui also ascertained that the "Professor's" main base of operations was located on the European continent—finally, a tangible clue regarding the "Professor's" whereabouts.

DeSheng was the first to discover this audio, meaning they undoubtedly understood the imminent danger facing Liu Hui's mother and would certainly confer with Zhou Tengyun to strengthen her protection. Within this recording, one individual referred to the "Professor" as a god, incredibly formidable. However, in Liu Hui’s estimation, what this person described as god-like behavior was merely the demonstration of specialized skills by a master of the God-tier level.

At this juncture, Liu Hui secretly congratulated himself for having transferred Zhou Tengyun from Africa to the United States. With Zhou Tengyun providing close personal protection, his parents in America should be safe; even if the "Professor" himself intervened, there would be no chance of success.