Chapter 64
In the middle of the meeting. Curtis started introducing a kid. It was somewhat amazing, but since Curtis was the higher- ranking, everyone else just had to sit quietly and smile awkwardly at Quinlyn.
Some people leaned in out of curiosity. The kid has tanned skin, a pointed chin, and big eyes–cute, but not exactly adorable like the chubby kids running around the neighborhood, someone wondered
As soon as the greetings were done. Quinlyn’s clear, calm voice came through “Curtis, Im in a temple. There’s a cultural relics smuggling operation going on, and hundreds of elementary school kids are involved. Thope you can help us
The conference room went dead silent for a second. Everyone else thought they’d misheard
Curtis’s smile quickly faded, and he started firing off questions. “What’s your location? How many people are involved? Have you seen any specific relics?”
The others thought those questions seemed way too complicated for a kid, but then they were shocked.
“Frostlight Monastery on the outskirts, where Maldon International School is having its camping trip. I don’t know how many criminals there are, but the vendors, monks, abbot, and even some tourists are all in on it, Quinlyn said in one breath.
She continued, “They use women pretending to be pregnant to smuggle cultural relics into a room behind the temple. They cover them with baskets and vegetables, probably for a second transfer. I saw emeralds, ancient coins, and vases.”
She explained everything so clearly that everyone was stunned.
“Mr. Ramirez, should we verify this step by step?” someone suggested. If they were about to deal with cases of cultural relics. they would need to be careful. If Quinlyn made a mistake, it’d waste a lot of police resources
But Curtis slammed his hand on the table and said in a deep voice, “She won’t make a mistake. Inform our units to send officers, cooperate with her, and check if any recent tomb raids focused on porcelain
Seeing how serious he was, everyone got to work, even though they were very shocked that he trusted Quinlyn so much.
“Quinlyn, how can I help you?” Curtis asked, turning back to the camera with a steady, reliable tone.
Quinlyn let out a small sigh of relief, knowing she’d found the right person. As Enoch came back from the restroom, she handed over the phone and said, “Curtis, this is our instructor, in charge of all the students‘ activities. Curtis immediately got it.
Enoch had just come back, hearing Quinlyn’s words and thinking it was funny. This kid is smart, knowing parents are tough to deal with, so she told us to talk personally, he muttered in his mind.
But he knew he wasn’t going to let it slide. “Ahem, are you Quinlyn’s family?” he asked.
There was no reply. Instead, Curtis shot back, “Which unit are you from? Who’s your commander? Give me your number.
Enoch was
s stunned for a second and then he stared at the stern old man on the screen. “Who, uh, who are you to ask me that?” He felt Curtis’s presence was overwhelming and without Quinlyn around, he might have been unable to speak.
Curtis didn’t beat around the bush. He grabbed his army green jacket, slipped it on, and said. “Curtis Ramirez, commander
of the 901st Division.”
Enoch thought, ‘Curtis? Isn’t that the legendary name in the military? Someone’s ballsy enough to claim that.
“If you were Curtis, then I would be- Enoch’s sarcastic words were cut off when a familiar figure in uniform appeared on the screen. He recognized it was the one who once spoke in a big competition in military skills. “C–c–colone he stammered.
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Chapter 64
That shout caught the other’s attention, but he only scanned the screen, nodded slightly, and then reported respectfully. “Mr. Ramirez, we’ve checked. Two days ago, an ancient royal tombs was indeed looted
e cultural relics were gone, mostly porcelain and ancient coins, which Bryan Leonard, the famous strategist, used for divination. It these items end up overseas, the losses would be huge
“I see. Have the police step up their deployment. Also, get the car ready, I need to go there myself,” Curtis said, his expression growing even more serious, realizing the situation was serious enough to enter a confidential phase
He turned his attention back to the camera, his commanding presence even more daunting
Enoch realized the old man was the legendary unsinkable military commander. His arm holding the phone was shaking, so he quickly switched hands and stood at attention to salute.
He said, “Good to see you, General. I’m Enoch Chapin, 2795 of the 3rd Company of the 167th Regiment.”
Curtis nodded, skipping the formalities. From now on, follow Quinlyn’s instructions to ensure all students are safe”
“Understood,” Enoch responded instinctively, but after the call ended, something felt off. Was he supposed to follow a kid’s orders! He was skeptical
But then Quinlyn listed a series of shocking revelations: cultural relics smuggling, organized crime, hundreds of students involved…
“Did
you
notice all this while climbing up? Did you sneak to the backyard to investigate?” Enoch asked, swallowing hard.
“Yeah, but I think those people are alert and might move the stolen items quickly. We need to work with the police and get the students down the mountain ASAP, Quinlyn said, frowning as she figured out the criminals‘ next move.
Enoch had to admit that even if it was hard to believe, Quinlyn was different. Besides, Curtis had ordered him to listen to her.
“TH
Tll support whatever you plan to do,” Enoch said, sincerely changing his approach.
Once the connections were made, things got much easier for Quinlyn.
After an hour–long lunch break, Enoch woke up all the students and, saying that the DigitalKey Group had arranged a new Venue, instructed everyone to move.
The school administrators and college professors, who had also finished their break and resumed monitoring the surveillance, were puzzled.
“Enoch, why are you taking the students away? The training isn’t finished, and changing plans suddenly will make the students take the camping trip lightly, Austin shouted into the headset, unhappy with the rules being broken.
He added, “DigitalKey Group hasn’t given any instructions. You’re acting on your own, and I can file a complaint against you. Leave the students here, do you hear me?”
But the person on the monitor didn’t respond and was already leading the students outside. The professors, feeling their dignity was stepped on, got up to stop them.
Before they could move, the lounge door was suddenly kicked open, and a group of armed personnel burst in pointing their guns.
Bennett walked in briskly, bringing in the hot summer air, and said, “Everyone, this place has now been requisitioned as a crime scene. Please stay calm and don’t interrupt the police as they arrest the criminals.”
