Chapter 148 Death in the Street
Paige was taken aback by the urgency in Julian's voice. "What happened?" she asked, her brows furrowing in concern.With a solemn expression, Julian spread out several photos on the desk before Paige. "I just received these and thought you should see them. Do you recognize the person in the photos?"Paige's eyes flicked to the images Julian had presented her. The sight that met her gaze was a gruesome one, a mangled and bloody corpse. She fought back the urge to retch, steeling herself as she picked up the photos. Despite the horrific scene, she began to identify the subject with a grim determination.After a moment, she laid the photos back on the desk, piecing together the man's face from the fragments. "This... isn't this Finnegan? I thought his condition was stable after he was admitted to the hospital. What on earth happened?" She looked up from the photos, her gaze seeking answers from Julian.Julian shook his head, a helpless look in his eyes. "Yes, it's Finnegan, found dead in the street. His sister Marigold is missing. Our team searched their mountain cabin, but it was deserted. Not a soul in sight."Paige immediately pressed, "And Raymond? I asked you to track him. Where is he?" Her voice rose, the urgency clear in her tone.Earlier that morning, Bradley had called Paige to report that he couldn't get in touch with Raymond. Throughout the day, Paige had also tried incessantly to call Raymond, but to no avail. She had asked Julian to have someone check the situation over in Country M. By the afternoon, Julian had presented her with a photograph of alifeless body in the street. Under such circumstances, how could Paige not be worried?Seeing Paige's anxiety, Julian looked down and said, "There's no news at the moment. Our people went to the snowy mountain pass and the villa we knew of before, but there's no trace of Mr. Carnegie. Over at the Hawke Corporation, our contacts can't find out anything."They had already searched all the places they knew of, apart from the ones from which they couldn't get any information. Paige was well aware of Julian's team's capabilities; she knew that if they searched, they would leave no stone unturned. If they couldn't gather information from inside the Hawke Corporation, it likely meant Raymond wasn't there either. If Raymond had been at Hawke Corporation, Bradley wouldn't have called Paige that morning to inquire about the situation. Therefore, the presence or absence of news from the Hawke Corporation made no difference.Paige leaned on her desk, her mind racing. She had just returned, having used the antidote to threaten her siblings—one was now dead in the street, the other missing. Most crucially, what both siblings wanted were the secret financial clues in Raymond's possession.Initially, Paige only had the clue about the villa when she had been searching. However, her opponents had managed to pinpoint Raymond precisely, and now, upon her return, Raymond was unreachable. How could Paige notbe concerned? Although that man was cunning, he had shown her genuine, wholehearted affection. Paige, who had few close relatives, couldn't afford to lose Raymond!After a few moments of contemplation, Paige made a decision. She glanced at her wristwatch and declared, "We can't wait any longer. Finnegan was found dead in the street, and Raymond might have encountered a similar fate. We must activate the X Action Team immediately for a full-scale search for Raymond's whereabouts in Country M. I'll take direct responsibility for the entire operation!"Upon hearing this, Julian looked as stunned as if he'd been struck by lightning. "Xanthe, what did you say?" he asked.Paige reiterated firmly, "Activate the X Action Team, commence a full-scale search for Raymond, and if we find him in any danger, initiate an immediate rescue."Julian was sure his ears hadn't deceived him and immediately objected, "Xanthe, think carefully!"From outside the door, Pearl also walked in. Her words were less sharp than Julian's, but her attitude was just as firm. "Xanthe, you can't just casually deploy the X Action Team, that's your lifeline. Right now, we're still lying low in Quorinth, but when we return to the Universe Group's European headquarters, you'll face countless dangers and undercurrents. The X Action Team has assembled the top-ranking assassins and trackers on the charts, and in their lifetimes,you can call upon them a maximum of three times. With one opportunity gone every time it's used, what will you do when you face real danger if you use one up now just to find Mr. Carnegie?"
Pearl found herself at odds with Paige's decision to summon the X Action Team so hastily. To her, it seemed a reckless squandering of resources. While she understood that the X Action Team's involvement would undoubtedly expedite Raymond's recovery and guarantee his safe return to Paige, Pearl was resolute in her belief that such a precious resource should not be expended without due deliberation.Julian chimed in, supporting Pearl's stance. "Pearl is correct," he asserted, "We only have three opportunities, Xanthe. You should be acutely aware of the numerous challenges that lie ahead. The X Action Team comprises elite assassins and trackers, their allegiance secured solely through the benevolence extended by Mr. Yue Zhantian in the past. They agreed to form the X Action Team to protect you three times. Once these opportunities are depleted, you cannot readily summon these individuals again."Paige was cognizant of the gravity of the situation. However, with Raymond's whereabouts unknown and her clandestine financial obligations, she couldn't afford to remain passive. The mere thought of Raymond potentially in peril sent a shiver of fear down her spine, the next image she might receive could be of Raymond sprawled lifelessly on the streets of Country M.Despite the vehement objections from Julian and Pearl, Paige's voice rang out with a finality that brooked no argument. "I've made my decision."Given Julian and Pearl's opposition, Paige decided to be direct. She reached for her laptop, determined to take control of the situation herself.She powered up the laptop, navigated to a concealed program, installed the requisite software onto her phone, and activated it.Before long, Paige's phone trilled with an incoming call.A deep, gravelly voice echoed from the other end of the line, "Yue Zhantian, is that Mr. Yue speaking?"Paige responded, "This is Xanthe. Activate the X Action Team. Center your search on Country M, locate one man and ensure his safety. I will forward his detailed information and photograph shortly." The X Action Team was indeed the lifeline that Bradley had bestowed upon her.It was an invaluable asset, limited to only three uses.From the moment Paige activated the Xanthe identity card, the X Action Team was duty-bound to protect someone named Xanthe.Now, Xanthe was invoking their assistance for the first time, and the process was proceeding without a hitch. The voice on the other end of the line paused for a beat before speaking."Are you certain that the task you're assigning us is merely to locate an individual and ensure their safety? Just a reminder, you only have three opportunities to deploy the X Action Team. After three times, the team will disband and will no longer be at your service!"Paige confirmed her decision with unwavering resolve, "Yes, activate!"Upon receiving a curt "okay" from the person on the line, the call was terminated, and Paige promptly sent over Raymond's detailed information.Julian and Pearl, who had been observing Paige's actions, were fraught with concern.After a moment, Pearl ventured, "Xanthe, may I pose a somewhat intrusive question?"Paige, though not in the best of spirits, maintained her composure, "Proceed."Pearl hesitated before asking, "If the four of us were in a life or death situation, would you call on the X Action Team for us?"
