Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet

"The embassy was attacked?" Truman Bull turned to the informant in shock. "Were there any casualties?"

"The specifics are unclear for now. The embassy staff is still assessing the casualties and damages. However, the explosion didn't happen within the embassy itself. The head of the foreign affairs office would like a private word with you. He has something to report."

"Good," Truman Bull sighed in relief, reassured that the explosion hadn't occurred inside the embassy. He glanced at Ray Munro, who looked nearly stunned.

Suddenly realizing that the embassy was right next to Devonshire Square, he pointed accusingly at Munro, barely containing his anger. "How could you… How dare you!"

As he repeated his accusation, Munro, similarly misinterpreting the situation, was left at a loss for words, unable to defend himself.

"You dared act on your own initiative while reporting to me?" Truman Bull's face darkened further as a disturbing realization dawned on him. "Or was this entire conversation just a tactic to delay me while your team carried out your orders?"

"Guards! Guards!" he shouted, his anger mounting at the thought that Munro, deputy head of the CIA, had taken matters into his own hands during such a critical time.

Several soldiers with armbands rushed in and saluted in front of him. Truman pointed at Munro. "Detain him. No one is allowed near him or to speak with him without my direct permission."

"Yes, sir!" The four guards saluted and stationed themselves around Munro, forming a perimeter.

Truman Bull, with a stern and unforgiving look, continued, "Your position is hereby terminated."

Ray Munro's face turned ashen, convinced that the "Stumbling Block" team under Ward Abbott must have acted too quickly, bombing William's building barely an hour after he'd made the call.

Seeing Munro cooperate with the guards, Truman Bull was slightly relieved but also faced the challenge of covering any tracks left by this mess. He leaned down and whispered to Munro, "For the sake of God and Benjamin's safety, tell me, who else knows about this? Are there safeguards in place to protect the operatives?"

Munro replied dejectedly, "Don't worry, the operatives were carefully selected and underwent rigorous screening. We have control measures to ensure that none of them will be caught alive. Apologies, Bull. I issued the orders, and I told you the reasons. But I didn't expect this team to act with such high efficiency."

As he spoke, Munro suddenly had an idea. The team operating under his Stumbling Block initiative was so efficient that it raised suspicion. Even the most elite field operatives usually didn't work this fast. Fixing his gaze on Truman with a hint of hope, Munro urged, "You have to rescue Benjamin; otherwise, nothing I say will matter, and I'll be forced to resign. My covert operations will also be canceled."

"I'll do everything possible to rescue Benjamin," Truman Bull said, annoyed at Munro's continued secrecy even in this situation. "Stay put in detention and don't do anything else. Do you understand?"

"What else could I possibly do?" Munro said, glancing at the guards surrounding him.

Truman wasted no more time, nodding to the guards. "Take him away."

Watching Munro being escorted out, Truman Bull understood that Munro's intentions to save Benjamin Arthur were well-meaning but reckless in execution. Instead of halting the operation when he suggested exchanging information with William, Munro had foolishly let the team continue.

There was no doubt now that William would suspect them. Even if he didn't, he would certainly resent Munro for stopping him from receiving critical information. This would make getting William's assistance even harder.

Back in the conference room, Truman dismissed all lower-ranking staff, leaving only a few senior members before reconnecting with the London foreign affairs head. The report confirmed his suspicions.

The explosion had targeted the four commercial buildings in Devonshire Square. Although the embassy itself hadn't suffered structural damage, all its windows were shattered from the blast, injuring several staff members. Working there was out of the question now; managing the injured had become the priority.

Finally, the foreign affairs head shared his doubts, subtly implying that someone on their side might be behind this.

"I understand. Your priority now is to find Benjamin and care for the wounded. Set everything else aside, and maintain confidentiality," Truman instructed.

"Understood, Mr. Acting President. However, with our limited field personnel here, locating President Benjamin in a short time will be challenging. We need assistance."

Everyone understood the underlying message. Given the chaos in London, nobody believed the English government was free of traitors, possibly high-ranking ones at that.

They would rather trust William than seek help from the English government. "Do your best."

After ending the satellite call, Truman Bull leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead as he searched for a solution. Without English support, it would take their closest special ops unit three hours to parachute into London. Just as they were all feeling stuck, someone knocked on the conference room door.

"Come in," Truman Bull called out.

"Sir, I've thought of something!" A soldier in uniform quickly entered, excitedly addressing the assembled leaders. "Sir, we need to ask William Devonshire for help. I even suspect that President Benjamin has been under his watch this whole time. He's just waiting for the right moment to step in for maximum benefit."

"What do you mean?" Everyone looked puzzled, and Truman Bull asked impatiently, "For heaven's sake, spit it out!"

"Do you remember what William Devonshire said earlier?" the soldier asked, his eyes alight with excitement. "He said he knew President Benjamin and Michael Banning were both alive and uninjured. Normally, that wouldn't seem unusual, but if you think about it, how could he be so certain? After all, they just survived a helicopter crash.

"Isn't there at least a 50 percent chance that someone from William Devonshire's team has been following them since the crash and knows their exact whereabouts?"

"No, no, no…" The soldier started pacing, muttering to himself before he slapped his forehead. "God, I've been so blind. Knowing William as I do, he must be 100 percent certain of Benjamin's location."

He then shouted to the person who had let him into the room, "Bring up the video recording of our conversation with William."

Truman Bull nodded at the technician, who quickly played the video on the large screen. The soldier pointed at William's image that had just appeared. "Look, he said he was napping. Now pay attention to his pajamas."

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