Chapter 1165 - Ch: 255-260

Chapter 255: Destined to Return in vain

Lynn didn't respond, merely straightening up, his gaze like a cold statue, watching Harrison walk out of the office.

He knew this struggle was not just a contest between law and crime, but a clash between justice and compromise.

When the door closed, Mark walked in, looked at Lynn's expression, and quietly asked, "What's the Director up to now?"

Lynn gave a cold laugh, a hint of sarcasm in his voice: "He wants me to drop Coleman's case."

Mark raised an eyebrow: "How did you respond?"

"Simple," Lynn looked at the documents on his desk, a flash of determination in his eyes, "I told him that justice is not a bargaining chip.

Now, he knows not to come looking for me again."

Mark sat opposite Lynn, his gaze firm, his voice filled with the unique passion of youth: "Detective, I've learned a lot from you.

Facing people like Coleman, facing pressure from superiors, you've never backed down.

I want to be like you, never fearing power and always upholding justice."

Lynn looked up at Mark, a faint smile on his lips, but then his tone became serious: "Mark, upholding justice is right, but there's one thing you must remember.

Facing power isn't just about courage and determination.

You need strength, enough strength, to render those who try to oppress you helpless."

Mark frowned, somewhat puzzled: "Strength? Do you mean power or ability?"

"Both," Lynn said calmly, "You need to make yourself indispensable.

Whether it's your professional skills, analytical ability, or judgment, they must reach a level that cannot be ignored.

Only when you are strong enough can you truly be fearless when facing power."

Mark nodded thoughtfully: "But what if the strength isn't enough yet? Should one compromise then?"

Lynn smiled slightly, a complex emotion in his voice: "Sometimes, compromise isn't weakness, but strategy.

If the choice you face is between justice and self-destruction, then appropriate compromise can buy more time and opportunity, allowing you to continue the fight."

Mark quietly asked: "Then, Detective, have you ever had such a time? Choosing self-preservation instead of direct confrontation?"

Lynn was silent for a moment, his gaze deepening: "Of course.

When I first started, I encountered people more difficult than Coleman.

At that time, I wasn't strong enough, nor did I have the resources I do now.

If I had chosen to go head-to-head, I might have been kicked out long ago, or even worse.

So, I learned patience, learned to accumulate strength, and then counterattack at the right time."

Mark nodded thoughtfully: "I see... So, facing power, true wisdom is knowing when to persist and when to take a step back?"

"Exactly," Lynn nodded, a hint of seriousness in his voice, "Justice is not a sprint, but a marathon.

You need enough endurance and wisdom to reach the finish line.

Remember, protecting yourself is not weakness, but for the sake of protecting justice for longer."

Mark's gaze gradually became firm: "Thank you, Detective.

I understand.

On the path to pursuing justice, I will strive to improve myself, constantly become stronger, and also learn to find strategies when necessary."

Lynn showed a relieved smile: "Very good, Mark.

If you can understand these things, then in the future, you will definitely do better than me."

The two looked at each other for a while, and the atmosphere in the office became a bit more relaxed.

Mark picked up his coffee cup, raised it, and said cheerfully: "Then I toast the Detective, and our future."

Lynn also picked up his coffee, clinking it lightly: "To justice, and to our persistence."

The next day, the courtroom was packed.

Lynn and Mark sat at the plaintiff's table, their gazes fixed on the front.

Coleman was brought into the court; the arrogance of the past was gone from his face, replaced by a tense expression and obvious fatigue.

His legal team, though outwardly calm, had a hint of helplessness in their eyes, clearly realizing that the tide had turned.

The judge cleared his throat and announced the start of the trial: "After deliberation by the jury, this court now announces the final verdict for the defendant, Alan Coleman."

The entire courtroom was silent, everyone holding their breath.

"Defendant Alan Coleman was accused of multiple charges, including money laundering, illegal transactions, and hiring a killer.

Based on the conclusive evidence presented by the prosecution, this court finds the defendant guilty on all counts and sentences him to twenty years in prison, along with a hefty fine."

Coleman's face instantly turned pale, and his lawyers behind him tried to stand up in protest, but the judge's gavel interrupted them: "Court adjourned!"

A low murmur erupted in the courtroom, Lynn and Markexchanged glances, a relieved smile on their faces.

This long battle had finally reached its moment of victory.

As they walked out of the courtroom, Kate was already waiting at the door.

She excitedly waved her interview recorder: "Lynn, Mark! I just heard the verdict!

This is a big win!"

Lynn smiled slightly, a hint of relief in his voice: "This isn't my victory, it's justice's victory.

Coleman's crimes have finally been brought to justice, meaning more people have received the fairness they deserve."

Mark interjected: "But Detective, you also have to admit, this victory would not have been possible without you."

Kate nodded in agreement: "Exactly, Lynn, you were the focus of the entire courtroom today.

I saw those jurors nodding almost throughout your statement."

Lynn smiled, not responding, but his eyes showed a hint of pride and relief.

That night, at Kate's suggestion, the three gathered at a quiet little restaurant for a small celebration of the victory.

Kate raised her glass and was the first to speak: "This toast today is for Lynn.

Without you, this case would never have reached today's outcome."

Lynn raised his glass in response, smiling calmly: "And to you two, Mark, Kate.

Along this journey, without your support, I wouldn't have been able to persevere alone until now."

Mark raised his glass, a hint of playfulness in his voice: "Alright, then I have to toast myself too.

After all, I was the one who endured the pressure with the Detective throughout."

All three laughed, emptying their glasses.

Kate put down her glass, a hint of emotion in her eyes: "Lynn, do you really know how special you are?

Facing so much pressure, you still upheld justice; even my articles can't fully describe your resilience."

Lynn shook his head, his gaze gentle: "Kate, justice doesn't belong to me, but to everyone who upholds it.

Today's victory is a team victory, the result of everyone's efforts."

Mark patted Lynn's shoulder: "You're being modest, Detective.

Regardless, you are our role model."

As night deepened, the three ended their celebration with laughter.

Stepping out of the restaurant, the night breeze gently blew, and the city lights illuminated the distant skyline.

Lynn stood on the street, looking at the bright street, his gaze deep.

Kate stood beside him, looking at Lynn, and quietly said: "Lynn, this victory is just the beginning, right?"

Lynn nodded, his gaze firm: "Yes, Kate.

This is not the end, but the starting point for continuing to uphold justice."

The next day, the sun was bright, and Lynn and Markwalked along the busy streets of Manhattan, conducting their routine patrol and maintenance.

The street noise was mixed with the chatter of pedestrians; Lynn walked, observing the surroundings, while Mark casually chatted with some vendors.

In front of a small food stall, Mark stopped to buy a cup of coffee, casually asking the vendor: "How have things been lately?

Is the neighborhood peaceful?"

The vendor handed over the coffee, quietly saying: "Oh, officer, it hasn't been peaceful lately.

Have you heard?

There's a master thief calling himself 'Spider-Man' who specializes in stealing from the rich.

This person is as fast as lightning; no one can catch him."

Mark raised an eyebrow, looking back at Lynn: "Detective, did you hear that?

'Spider-Man', that sounds a bit comical."

Lynn stopped, his gaze slightly narrowing: "Go on.

What's special about this 'Spider-Man'?"

The vendor lowered his voice, looked around, and whispered: "It's said this person is incredibly skilled, able to leap between tall buildings and even use some sticky stuff to trap people.

Some say he's a Mutant, others say he uses some high-tech equipment.

Anyway, he's pulled off several big heists lately, all from wealthy people; he sounds like a righteous thief."

Mark frowned: "A righteous thief? Such people are usually just criminals disguised in a cloak of hypocrisy."

Lynn nodded in agreement, but his tone was calm: "Whatever his motive, breaking the law is breaking the law.

We need to find out the true identity of this 'Spider-Man'."

The two continued their street patrol, Lynn constantly paying attention to people's conversations and clues on the street.

He knew that the city of Manhattan was never short of strange stories, but behind any rumor, a bigger secret might be hidden.

Soon after, as they passed a jewelry store, the owner was standing at the door, complaining to a customer: "This 'Spider-Man' is truly despicable!

He stole a rare ruby worth millions from our store last night!

The Police haven't found any clues yet."

Lynn stopped and walked over, asking: "Can you tell me more details?

For example, how did he get into the store, and how did he leave?"

The owner recognized Lynn as FBI and immediately showed a glimmer of hope: "Detective, last night's surveillance showed him dropping from the ceiling, just like a spider.

Then, he used some strange sticky liquid to damage the safe and stole the ruby.

When he left, he just climbed the wall and ran!"

Mark frowned, looking at Lynn: "Sounds like a high-tech crime."

Lynn nodded: "It could also be some kind of Mutantability.

Either way, this isn't an ordinary thief."

He took out his notebook, jotting down the details provided by the owner, and also inquired about the surveillance footage.

The owner immediately handed the footage to Lynn.

In the video, a figure in black and red clothing moved effortlessly on the ceiling, his movements as fluid as a natural climber.

After quickly destroying the safe, he disappeared into the night with the ruby.

Mark sighed: "This guy is really fast, and climbing down from the ceiling... a normal person couldn't do that."

Lynn turned off the video, pondering for a moment: "First, send this video back to the department and have the technical team analyze it.

At the same time, see if there are any similar cases that can be linked."

"Detective," Mark said jokingly, "Do you think this 'Spider-Man' might be some kind of righteous thief with an overflowing sense of justice?"

Lynn gave him a cold look, his tone undeniable: "Regardless of motive, he stole someone else's legitimate property, and that is a crime.

What we need to do is bring him to justice."

The two continued their patrol, but Lynn's mind kept replaying the footage from the surveillance.

After returning to the office, Lynn repeatedly played the video, carefully observing every detail.

The "Spider-Man" on the screen moved with exceptional agility, his body freely climbing between the ceiling and walls.

His black and red suit clung tightly to his body, but its design was simple, without any distinctive symbols.

"Mark," Lynn said, pointing at the screen, "Do you see it?

This so-called 'Spider-Man' is clearly not the Spider-Manwe have in mind."

Mark leaned closer to the screen, frowning: "Indeed.

His equipment looks crude, and his behavior is colder, not at all like a hero.

The sticky substance he uses doesn't seem like an ordinary technological product; it's more like a Mutantability."

"Exactly," Lynn nodded, "If he really is a Mutant, then his goals and motives might be more complex than we anticipated.

We can't wait for him to commit another crime; we must take the initiative."

That night, Lynn and Mark drove to the area where "Spider-Man" was likely active.

They chose several densely packed high-rise districts, places that were both high-crime areas and where "Spider-Man" could most easily hide.

The two sat in an inconspicuous car, Lynn's eyes fixed on the street's movements, reports from other patrol officers coming through his earpiece.

"Detective," Mark couldn't help but yawn, "If this guy is smart, he'll probably stay put tonight.

He's already successfully committed multiple crimes, so he clearly knows how to hide himself."

Lynn didn't move his gaze, his voice low: "Perhaps he will, but we can't take any chances.

The more cunning the opponent, the more time we need to wait."

A night passed, and the city's clamor gradually subsided.

As a faint light appeared on the horizon, Lynn finally put away his binoculars, rubbing his slightly tired brow: "It seems we're destined to return empty-handed tonight."

Mark sighed: "Detective, maybe he really is hiding.

How about we go back to the department and analyze his modus operandi to see if there are any overlooked clues?"

Lynn nodded in agreement, and the two drove back to the Police station.

On the way, Lynn's mind kept replaying the surveillance footage.

He knew that this "Spider-Man" was not just an ordinary thief; his abilities, motives, and the possibility of his Mutant identity made this case even more complex.

Chapter 256 Small rocket launcher?

"Mark," Lynn's voice broke the silence in the car, "we might need more resources to deal with this guy. His next move will definitely be bolder."

Mark smiled, "Detective, I just hope next time he shows up, he doesn't make me pull another all-nighter."

Lynn didn't answer, but a flicker of determination flashed in his eyes.

The sky was already faintly lit, and the atmosphere in the car was a bit heavy. Mark yawned, rubbing his face with his hand, trying to shake off the fatigue: "Detective, honestly, this kind of stakeout really gives me a headache. We just sat here all night and didn't see a single hair, it feels meaningless."

Lynn leaned back in his seat, his gaze still calmly fixed on the window. He didn't respond immediately, but remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "Mark, solving cases is never like those thrilling scenes in TV shows. Most of the time, it's like this, boring, tedious, and even seemingly fruitless."

Mark was stunned, his tone carrying a hint of confusion: "But Detective, we have to do something practical, right? Just sitting here staring at an empty street really makes me feel… a bit like wasting time."

Lynn turned to look at him, a complex emotion added to his eyes: "Mark, if I had to choose, I'd rather you only ever experience these 'boring' moments, rather than confronting armed criminals, or even Mutants like Spider-Man."

Mark looked at Lynn in astonishment, unsure how to respond for a moment.

Lynn's voice was low but firm: "Every struggle, every exchange of fire, could mean injury, or even sacrifice. You might think the thrill of chasing criminals is very fulfilling, but do you know? Whenever I hear news of subordinates being injured or sacrificed, my first reaction is self-reproach—should I have been more cautious, should I not have let them take risks."

Mark opened his mouth, and finally only managed to squeeze out one sentence: "Detective, I never thought you saw these things that way."

Lynn sighed softly, his gaze returning to the window: "You're still young, Mark, and I understand your passion. But remember, no matter how much we want to pursue justice, it should never be built on needless risk. Every minute of a boring stakeout actually means we are reducing the risk of direct conflict. Trust me, it's worth it."

Mark lowered his head, lost in thought. He recalled his excitement when he first joined, always thinking that catching criminals should be a thrilling chase, not this kind of long wait. However, at this moment, he finally understood Lynn's intention, and also realized his own shallowness.

"Detective," Mark looked up, a new respect in his eyes, "I understand. Perhaps this waiting is indeed boring, but there is meaning behind it. Thank you for reminding me, I will remember your words."

Lynn showed a faint smile, reaching out to pat Mark's shoulder: "Just remember. Justice is not an impulsive adventure, but a long-term commitment."

The next evening, Lynn and Mark were again sitting in the car, the neon lights of the street reflected on the car window. Mark was nibbling on a cold hamburger, casually observing his surroundings: "Detective, today is another long night. But I won't complain this time, anyway, you already said it, this is the daily routine of solving cases."

Lynn looked out the window, his gaze sharp and focused: "Don't let your guard down, Mark. Spider-Man has committed multiple crimes, he probably doesn't think we'll find him so quickly. Be patient, at this time, patience is our weapon."

As soon as he finished speaking, a rapidly moving figure flashed across the high-rise building on the opposite side of the street. Lynn instantly became alert, sitting upright: "Mark, look over there!"

Mark was stunned, looking in the direction Lynn pointed, only to see a figure dressed in black and red quickly climbing up the high-rise building, almost blending into the night.

"It's him!" Mark whispered, excitedly grabbing his flashlight and equipment, "Let's chase!"

Lynn and Mark quickly got out of the car and ran towards the building. As Lynn ran, he issued instructions over the communicator: "Target sighted, Spider-Man has appeared, location in the East Manhattan high-rise cluster, all nearby officers immediately support!"

The two quickly climbed the building's exterior staircase and reached the rooftop, where the black and red figure was nimbly clinging to the edge of the rooftop, ready to leap to another building at any moment.

"Stop! FBI!" Lynn shouted loudly, shining his flashlight on the other party.

Spider-Man looked back, showed no intention of stopping, but instead leaped lightly, grabbing a dangling cable, and swung towards the opposite building like a spider.

"He's flying!" Mark watched, dumbfounded, "This guy isn't even human!"

"Stop talking nonsense, chase!" Lynn didn't hesitate, quickly flipped over the rooftop railing, and continued to pursue along the pipes on the side of the building.

The two chased with all their might, but Spider-Man's movements were astonishingly fast. He moved back and forth between the buildings, and from time to time he would use his viscous web to block some of the pursuit routes. Lynn and Mark tried to bypass the obstacles, but quickly found that the distance was getting wider and wider.

Finally, Spider-Man made an astonishing long leap, disappearing into the shadows of a more distant building. Lynn stood on the edge of the rooftop, panting heavily, looking in the direction he disappeared, his brows tightly furrowed.

Mark caught up from behind, bending over and gasping for breath: "Detective… this guy… is incredible… we can't catch him at all!"

Lynn took a deep breath, calmed his breathing, and turned to look at Mark: "His abilities are indeed outstanding, but this also shows that he is not just an ordinary criminal. He might be a Mutant, or he might have mastered high-tech equipment."

"So what do we do next?" Mark wiped the sweat from his forehead, "Chasing him like this is like a cat chasing a mouse."

Lynn pondered for a moment, then calmly said: "We can't just rely on physical strength to chase him. His range of movement is between these high-rise buildings, which means he is very familiar with the terrain. Next, we need to change our strategy, analyze his modus operandi and movement paths, and find his fixed hiding place."

Back at the police station, Lynn and Mark sat in the office, their desk covered with Spider-Man's recent crime reports and stolen item lists. Lynn flipped through the documents, his brows tightly furrowed: "Mark, we must think from a different perspective. This guy's modus operandi is unusual, he's clearly not after ordinary valuables. We need to figure out what exactly he's looking for."

Mark nodded: "Indeed, the things he steals are very diverse, but they don't seem to have an obvious connection. Jewelry, expensive watches, some high-end electronic products… what's the commonality of these things?"

Lynn pondered for a moment, then circled some items on a list: "No, Mark. His targets are not unrelated. Look at these, jewelry was just an early cover. The focus of his recent actions has been electronic products—chips, advanced computer hardware, and even high-tech equipment from certain laboratories."

Mark was stunned for a moment: "So, he's actually collecting some kind of electronic technology?"

"Very likely." Lynn nodded, "He's not an ordinary thief, and certainly not a simple Mutant. Perhaps, he has a bigger motive behind him, and might even be working for some force."

The two immediately launched an investigation, starting with the stolen electronic products, visiting the owners of several stolen stores and laboratories.

At a stolen high-tech laboratory, Lynn talked to the supervisor: "What was stolen from this laboratory? Was there any particularly important or exclusive technology?"

The supervisor frowned in recall: "A batch of high-performance chips and control modules for experimental use were stolen from us. These items are custom-made and have a very narrow application range; ordinary people wouldn't use them at all."

"What can they do?" Lynn pressed on.

"Mainly used for the development of automation systems, such as drone control, remote monitoring systems, and other high-end equipment," the supervisor replied.

After leaving the laboratory, Mark pondered, "Detective, what does he need these high-performance chips for? Is he trying to build some device?"

"Very likely." Lynn nodded, "And he knows what he wants; this isn't accidental theft. Next, we need to find out the market demand for these devices and see if anyone is closely connected to these technologies."

The two then visited several stolen electronics stores and found similar patterns: the stolen items were not ordinary consumer electronics, but high-end technological equipment, such as industrial circuit boards, laboratory-grade sensors, and some experimental augmented reality glasses.

Mark organized his notes, somewhat puzzled: "Detective, if these things were assembled, what kind of device would it be?"

Lynn narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice: "It could be some kind of highly customized technological device, or even a weapon. We must now assume that he is not just a thief, but someone carrying out a special mission."

"So what do we do next?" Mark asked.

"Contact the manufacturers of these devices and investigate their uses. At the same time, we need to track the flow of these devices and see if there is similar demand in the market." Lynn said coldly, "As long as we can find the ultimate possible use for these devices, we'll be one step closer to catching Spider-Man."

After several days of intense investigation, Lynn and Markfinally gathered enough information. In a dimly lit conference room, the two stood in front of a whiteboard, Lynn circling the uses of some key equipment with a marker.

"Mark, let's organize this." Lynn pointed to several devices on the whiteboard, "These high-performance chips, circuit boards, sensors, and fuel mixing devices, can you see their commonality?"

Mark scratched his head, and after a moment of thought, said: "These are all high-end technology devices, many are laboratory-grade, and ordinary people can't use them at all. Their commonality is… they require precise assembly?"

"Exactly." Lynn nodded, then drew an arrow on the whiteboard, "And, the clue we just got from the manufacturer shows that these devices can be used for a very specific goal—manufacturing small Rockets."

Mark's eyes widened: "Small Rockets? Detective, are you saying Spider-Man might be building Rockets? Is he going to space or something?"

Lynn didn't answer, but continued to analyze: "The combination of these devices can support a medium-sized Rocket launch system. It's not necessarily for space flight; it's more likely a highly mobile, high-tech device. For example, for remote reconnaissance, or… some form of weapon."

Mark pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized: "So, he might not be acting alone. He has a team behind him, or even an organization. Their goal is likely to build a Rocket powerful enough for some unconventional activity."

Lynn nodded: "That's my guess too. If Spider-Man is really working for some force, then what we're facing now isn't just a high-tech thief, but a potential threat."

Mark frowned: "But the problem is, why do they need a Spider-Man? To steal equipment in his way, instead of directly purchasing or going through other channels?"

"Because the acquisition of these devices is illegal." Lynncalmly explained, "Many devices are prohibited from export, or require special permits. And Spider-Man's abilities allow them to bypass these restrictions and complete the mission silently."

Mark took a deep breath: "Detective, this is more complicated than we thought. We need to quickly pinpoint his next target and prevent this matter from escalating."

"Exactly." Lynn straightened up, his gaze firm, "Next, we need to find out the final storage location of these devices, and Spider-Man's possible range of activity. As long as we find their rendezvous point, we can completely dismantle this plan."

Lynn and Mark investigated for several consecutive days, but still couldn't find any conclusive clues. They tracked the flow of multiple stolen devices and tried to contact experts to understand the potential uses of small Rockets, but all the conjectures seemed too complex, and a key clue always seemed to be missing.

"Detective," Mark leaned back in his office chair, rubbing his Sun temple, his tone tinged with helplessness, "Are we overthinking this? These devices can indeed build Rockets, but we can't figure out why Spider-Man would use them. Does he want to launch something, or does he have another purpose?"

Lynn's face was grim, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "Perhaps we did overlook something crucial. Mark, organize a list of all the devices, and let's re-examine them."

"Understood." Mark nodded, but he could also feel that the two seemed to be stuck in a stalemate.

That night, Lynn returned home exhausted. As soon as he pushed open the door, he saw his sister Gwen on the sofa, flipping through a brochure with an excited expression on her face.

"Brother, you're back!" Gwen looked up at Lynn, her voice light, "Did you know? There's a college aerospace exhibition downtown recently, and the exhibition is super cool! There are all kinds of spacecraft models, and even some small Rocket launchers designed by students themselves."

Lynn took off his jacket and casually asked: "College aerospace exhibition? Small Rocket launchers?"

"Yes!" Gwen nodded, handing the brochure to Lynn, "It's small Rockets made by some college teams themselves. Although they can't compare to real aerospace equipment, I heard the technology is amazing. Some teams have even launched their own probes on simulated orbits."

Chapter 257: Do something more meaningful

Lynn took the brochure, flipped through a few pages, and suddenly froze. Images of the stolen equipment flashed through his mind: chips, sensors, high-end circuit boards… these were precisely the key components needed to build a small Rocket!

"Gwen, where is this aerospace exhibition being held? When does it start?" Lynn's tone became tense.

Gwen was a bit surprised but still replied, "It's at the Science and Technology Museum in the city center. The exhibition has been open for two days, and the grand finale, the Rocket launch demonstration, is the day after tomorrow."

Lynn suddenly realized. Perhaps things weren't as complicated as they thought. Spider-Man might not be building high-tech weapons or working for some mysterious organization. His goal was likely just to participate in this college aerospace exhibition, assemble a small Rocket with the stolen equipment, and showcase his technical abilities.

"So that's it…" Lynn muttered to himself, his brow gradually relaxing. He took out his phone and immediately dialed Mark's number.

"Mark, I know Spider-Man's target! He's not involved in some big conspiracy; he's aiming for the college aerospace exhibition in the city center. He probably just wants to use the stolen equipment to build a Rocket and show off his technical skills to others."

Mark paused on the other end of the line, then realized, "Detective, are you saying none of this is as complicated as we thought? He's just an enthusiast who wants to show off?"

"It's very likely." Lynn nodded, his voice low and firm, "But regardless of the motive, his actions are still criminal. We must find him as soon as possible and stop him before the launch demonstration."

"Understood!" Mark's tone instantly filled with vigor, "I'll go investigate the exhibition's participant list now; maybe we can find some clues."

After hanging up, Lynn looked at Gwen, a smile on his face: "Thank you, Gwen. You just helped me solve a big mystery."

Gwen blinked, asking somewhat confusedly, "What did I help with?"

"Nothing." Lynn patted her shoulder, "Just keep an eye on the news about the aerospace exhibition. Perhaps this time you'll see a more interesting 'performance' than expected."

Upon returning to his office, Lynn immediately had the technical team retrieve a special database. He requested a filter for Mutant files that matched the college age group and were active near Manhattan. This database was established by the federal government to track Mutants and contained a large amount of basic information.

Mark walked in with a cup of coffee and, seeing Lynnintently staring at the screen, couldn't help but ask, "Detective, found anything?"

Lynn didn't look up, his fingers typing rapidly on the keyboard: "Not completely confirmed yet, but the direction is clear. Spider-Man possesses extraordinary climbing abilities and a precise need for high-tech equipment, which is likely related to some special Mutantability. Now we need to find someone who fits these characteristics."

As the system filtered, some names and photos gradually appeared on the screen. Lynn further narrowed the scope, focusing only on Mutants in the college age group with recent activity records.

"Look at this." Lynn pointed to a file on the screen, a hint of excitement in his voice, "Green Hamilton, 21 years old, his talent is magnetic absorption. He can manipulate metal and adhere to any surface, which perfectly explains Spider-Man's climbing ability."

Mark leaned over for a look, nodding in agreement: "That's certainly an important clue. Anything else about his background?"

Lynn continued to review the file: "Green has shown extremely high talent in engineering and physics since childhood. His abilities allow him to easily manipulate electronic devices, and he was once briefly detained for illegal laboratory intrusion but was released because no serious consequences occurred. He recently enrolled in a university in Manhattan and happened to be participating in this aerospace exhibition."

A flash of excitement crossed Mark's eyes: "Detective, it seems we've found our target. Green not only meets the age and ability criteria, but his academic background also perfectly matches the stolen equipment."

Lynn nodded, his gaze sharp: "That's right. He is very likely Spider-Man, and this aerospace exhibition is his stage. His motive may not be for money, but to show off his abilities. But we must stop him."

He immediately ordered: "Contact the security department of the Manhattan Science and Technology Museum to strengthen monitoring of the exhibition. At the same time, we need to find out Green's recent activity trajectory to ensure he is brought under control before he acts."

Mark quickly responded: "Understood! I'll arrange an investigation into Green to see if he has any other helpers or potential hiding spots."

The next day, Lynn walked into the campus of ManhattanUniversity and, following the students' directions, arrived at the door of the STEM interest group activity room. Through the glass window, he could see a group of students gathered around a large table, eagerly discussing something. The table was covered with various electronic devices, tools, and a half-finished small Rocketmodel.

Lynn's gaze quickly locked onto one person. The young man in a dark hoodie sat at the table, intently embedding a circuit board into the Rocket's control module. His movements were fluid, and a focused, confident smile was on his face, as if the entire World ceased to exist, leaving only him and the work in his hands.

"Green Hamilton." Lynn silently repeated the name in his mind. He didn't enter the room but stood outside, carefully observing the situation inside the activity room.

Green's classmates clearly admired him, often asking him questions. He patiently answered them and demonstrated with the tools in his hand. When a classmate proposed a new improvement plan, Green showed excitement and immediately began discussing it with everyone.

Lynn's hand subtly tightened. He was already certain that the young man in front of him was Spider-Man. His abilities, his background, and the purpose of these stolen devices all pointed to an undeniable fact: Green was using his abilities and talents to plan a daring show of skill.

But Lynn didn't immediately walk in. He stood outside, quietly watching Green and his classmates interact. What he saw was not just a Mutant with special abilities, but also a group of young people who loved technology, trying to achieve a dream through their own efforts.

Lynn's thoughts became complex. His duty was law enforcement, to bring Green to justice, and to stop his illegal activities. However, he also realized that Green might not be a malicious criminal. His actions were more a rebellious outlet, a test of his abilities, a desire for recognition.

"Detective, are you going in?" Mark's voice came through the earpiece.

Lynn didn't answer immediately. He took a deep breath and finally whispered, "No, not for now. He's not making any dangerous moves."

"But he's a suspect after all…" Mark hesitated.

"I know." Lynn's tone was calm but held a hint of determination, "But perhaps, he's just a young man who needs direction. If we disturb him now, we might not only ruin his future but also truly push him down the wrong path."

Mark didn't speak again, but his silence carried an understanding.

Lynn took one last look at Green inside the activity room, then turned and left. He knew that this case wasn't over yet, but perhaps he could handle this young Spider-Manin another way, allowing justice to be not just punishment, but also guidance.

A few days later, the Manhattan Science and Technology Museum was bustling with people as the college aerospace exhibition officially opened. Lynn took his sister Gwen into the exhibition hall, feeling the vibrant energy of the young people and their boundless enthusiasm for technology.

"Brother, don't you think it's super cool here?" Gwenexcitedly pulled Lynn's hand, pointing to various Rocketmodels on the display stands, "Look at these designs, they're amazing! Some even look professional-grade."

Lynn smiled slightly, looking at his sister's excited face, his tone filled with a bit of indulgence: "It is indeed great. To see so many young people who love technology gathered together, that in itself is something worth celebrating."

The two followed the crowd to the main exhibition hall, which was already packed with spectators. In the center was an open area where several college teams were in the final stages of preparing for Rocket test flights. One of the teams caught Lynn's attention; it was Green's team.

Green stood at the front of the team, explaining the Rocket's design concept to the judges. His tone was confident and full of passion, and his classmates beside him nodded in agreement from time to time. The Rocketmodel on the table was exquisite and complex, clearly the result of meticulous design and debugging.

"Is that their Rocket?" Gwen whispered, "It really looks amazing!"

Lynn nodded, his gaze complex as he looked at Green: "Yes, they are indeed excellent."

The test flight began, and Green's team's Rocket was steadily placed on the launch pad. Amidst a countdown, the Rocket ignited and lifted off, spewing dazzling tail flames, flying straight into the sky. The audience let out gasps of amazement, and applause and cheers echoed throughout the exhibition hall.

After reaching the predetermined altitude in the air, the Rocket successfully released a small probe and transmitted real-time data via signal. The entire test flight process was flawless, and the judges nodded in praise.

Ultimately, Green's team was announced as the first-prize winner of this aerospace exhibition. His classmates excitedly embraced each other, and Green stood in the center of the team, his face showing unconcealed joy and pride.

"Fantastic!" Gwen clapped excitedly, "Brother, they are truly amazing!"

Lynn also clapped, but his gaze remained on Green. This young man had accomplished something to be proud of with his talent and effort, without going down any wrong path.

As they left the exhibition hall, Gwen hooked her arm through Lynn's, happily saying, "Brother, do you think they'll become future scientists or engineers? I think Green definitely will!"

Lynn looked at his sister, a relieved smile on his face: "Yes, Gwen. They have that potential, and they deserve such a future."

A few days later, Lynn found an opportunity to meet Green at a coffee shop outside the campus. Green seemed a bit nervous; he sat across from Lynn with his head down, his fingers anxiously stirring the spoon in his coffee cup.

"Detective," Green spoke first, his voice low, "I know why you're looking for me. About those devices, I… I know I shouldn't have stolen them, but I really had no other choice. I just wanted to complete this aerospace exhibition."

Lynn looked at him, his tone calm but serious: "Green, you were indeed wrong. No matter what your original intention was, theft is always illegal. You are a smart young man, talented and capable, but you shouldn't use the wrong methods to achieve your goals."

Green bit his lip, a flash of shame in his eyes: "I know, Detective. I originally just wanted to borrow those devices, and I intended to return them after the exhibition… But then things got more and more complicated, and I didn't know what to do."

Lynn nodded: "I understand what you were thinking at the time, but you must understand that every wrong decision has consequences. Those stolen devices weren't without cost."

Green looked up, a hint of urgency in his voice: "Detective, I am willing to take responsibility. I know I owe a lot, but I will work hard and pay back that money as soon as possible."

Lynn looked at him and smiled slightly: "Very good, I hope you think that way. Actually, I've already paid for those devices."

Green suddenly looked up, his face filled with shock: "What? You paid for them?"

"Yes," Lynn nodded, "But this isn't to let you escape responsibility, but to give you a chance to start over. I don't want to see you ruin your future because of this."

Green's eyes were complex; he seemed to want to say something but didn't.

Lynn continued: "I've already helped you find some after-school odd jobs, like nearby repair shops, a courier center, and a library that needs part-time help. You can earn money through these jobs to pay back what you owe, and at the same time learn how to achieve your goals in the right way."

Green's eyes reddened slightly, and he whispered, "Detective, I don't know how to thank you…"

"You don't need to thank me." Lynn's tone was calm but his gaze was firm, "Thank yourself for choosing the right path. Remember, talent is a responsibility; use it to do the right things, and don't let it become a burden."

Green nodded vigorously, his voice filled with determination: "I understand, Detective. I will work hard to pay back what I owe and use my abilities to do more meaningful things."

Lynn smiled slightly, stood up, and patted his shoulder: "Very good, I hope the next time I see you, it's after you've completed another great work."

Green looked up, a relaxed smile finally appearing on his face: "I will, Detective. I won't let you down."

Watching Green's retreating figure as he left the coffee shop, Lynn let out a long sigh.

The following evening, Lynn stood outside The Manhattan Chronicle building, leaning against his car, waiting for Kate to get off work. The twilight light was soft, and people came and went on the street, but Lynn's gaze remained fixed on the building's entrance.

A moment later, Kate walked out of the revolving door with her handbag, and seeing Lynn, she smiled: "Detective, you're very punctual."

Chapter 258 Being excluded and discriminated against!

Lin En smiled slightly, opened the car door, and motioned for her to get in: "You're my 'major case' today, how could you be late?"

The two drove together to a nearby coffee shop. They had just ordered coffee and hadn't been sitting long when a stylish, confident man suddenly walked up to Kate, smiling a bit too eagerly: "Kate! What a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into you here."

Kate looked up, her smile instantly freezing: "Bruce? What are you doing here?"

"Of course, for you," the man said without pretense, pulling out the chair next to Kate and sitting down. "I've been thinking about you a lot lately. I happened to have some free time today, so I came here to try my luck, and I actually found you!"

Lin En raised an eyebrow. Sitting opposite him, he didn't speak, but his gaze became a few shades colder. He subtly observed this overly familiar man.

Kate was clearly a bit embarrassed. She tried to keep her tone polite: "Bruce, I think you might have misunderstood. I have an appointment with a friend today, so I'm afraid I can't accompany you."

Bruce completely ignored Kate's polite refusal and turned his attention directly to Lin En, offering what he considered a friendly smile: "And this is? Not your colleague, is it?"

Lin En looked up, his tone cool but not impolite: "I am Lin En Stacey, Kate's friend."

Bruce was slightly taken aback, then chuckled to himself: "A friend, huh? Then it's fine. Kate and I have known each other for a long time, and I've always wanted a chance to get to know her better."

Kate was a little displeased and was about to speak, but Lin En calmly interrupted: "Mr. Bruce, do you know Kate's profession?"

Bruce clearly hadn't expected this question, but he answered nonchalantly: "Of course, I know. She's a journalist, very talented."

Lin En nodded, his tone still calm: "If that's the case, you should understand that her time is very precious; every minute and every second could be spent digging for the truth. What you are currently occupying is her only private time."

Bruce's smile stiffened for a moment; he seemed surprised that Lin En was so direct, but he quickly regained his confidence: "Oh, well, as friends, it's rare to have a chance to relax a bit. It's good to chat more."

Kate finally couldn't hold back. She put down her coffee cup, her tone a few degrees colder: "Bruce, I think I've made myself very clear. Today's arrangements have nothing to do with you. Please leave."

Bruce wanted to say something more, but Lin En's gaze had already locked onto him. His eyes were calm and sharp, as if silently telling him that if he continued to pester, something more unpleasant would happen.

Bruce finally gave in, stood up, and said with an awkward laugh: "Alright, Kate, then I won't bother you. But remember, I'm always happy for you to contact me."

After Bruce left, Kate rubbed her temples, a hint of helplessness in her voice: "I'm really sorry, Lin En, for making you encounter something like this."

Lin En picked up his coffee, took a small sip, and said calmly: "No need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong; he just doesn't know his place."

Kate looked at Lin En and suddenly smiled: "Actually, you looked quite cool just now, calm and reassuring."

Lin En put down the coffee cup, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly: "That's one of a Detective's professional skills, preventing unnecessary 'interference'."

The two exchanged smiles, and a relaxed understanding filled the air.

In the evening, Kate invited Lin En to her apartment. This was Lin En's first time entering Kate's private space. His gaze swept across the tidy and cozy living room. The bookshelf was filled with various books, and several news photos she had taken hung on the wall. Every detail revealed Kate's personal touch.

"Have a seat, make yourself at home." Kate smiled as she took off her coat and hung it on the rack, then walked into the kitchen. "You're in for a treat today; I'm going to personally cook steak."

Lin En smiled slightly, sat on the sofa, and watched her busy figure: "Do you often cook for yourself?"

"Of course!" Kate raised her eyebrows, a hint of pride in her voice. "Although not often, my cooking skills are not bad."

Lin En nodded gently, saying nothing more, just leaning back comfortably on the sofa. The faint sound of chopping vegetables and condiment bottles clinking came from the kitchen. He closed his eyes, enjoying the peaceful moment.

However, in less than ten minutes, a smell of something burning suddenly wafted from the kitchen. Lin En abruptly opened his eyes, got up, and walked to the kitchen door. He saw Kate standing in front of the stove, frantically holding a spatula, constantly flipping the steak in the pan, but one side of the steak had already turned burnt black.

"Oh, no!" Kate looked annoyed, and seeing Lin En walk in made her even more embarrassed. "Lin En, I... I think I overcooked it."

Lin En couldn't help but smile, walking to her side: "Looks like you need a little help."

"I followed the recipe exactly!" Kate sighed, handing the spatula to Lin En. "Forget it, you do it. I surrender."

Lin En took the spatula and bent down to check the situation in the pan. He quickly turned down the heat, removed the burnt steak, and placed another piece of meat into the pan. Then, he took a few bottles of seasoning from the spice rack, skillfully sprinkled an appropriate amount of salt and black pepper, and at the same time, used a pat of butter to lubricate the bottom of the pan, allowing the steak to heat evenly.

Kate stood by, watching Lin En's skilled movements, and couldn't help but ask: "You look very experienced. I didn't expect you to have this talent."

Lin En chuckled softly as he cooked the steak: "Working for the FBI, I don't have time to go to restaurants often. Sometimes after a mission, making a simple dinner at home is also a way to relax."

Kate rested her chin on her hand, looking at him, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes: "It seems I invited you over as a guest, but it turned into you helping me cook. I'm really sorry."

"No need to feel bad." Lin En flipped the steak, confirmed it was golden brown, then plated it, and then prepared a simple mushroom sauce to pour over it. "We completed it together."

Kate took the plate, looking at the perfect presentation, a hint of gratitude in her eyes: "Cooperation? Hmm, so I was just in the way, and you were responsible for making something beautiful and delicious."

Lin En put down the spatula, washed his hands, and turned to look at her: "If this is your 'being in the way,' then I'm happy to cooperate."

Kate smiled, carried the steak to the dining table, and invited Lin En to sit down with her. They raised their glasses and clinked them gently.

"Cheers to this unexpectedly delicious dinner." Kate smiled.

"Cheers to friendship and cooperation." Lin En responded, a hint of warmth in his eyes.

After dinner, the two sat on the sofa. Kate held a glass of red wine, gently swirling the liquid in the glass. She looked at Lin En, a hint of anticipation in her voice: "Lin En, I'm going to New York tomorrow to attend a journalist conference. Many famous journalists will be there to discuss industry trends and share experiences. Do you want to come along?"

Lin En looked up, pondered for a moment: "A journalist conference? Sounds good. However, I need to go back and check my work schedule first. If there are no important cases, I'll consider it."

Kate smiled, her tone light: "You're always so serious, too hard on yourself. Sometimes you should relax, change your environment, listen to other people's stories, and you might even get some new ideas."

Lin En nodded, but his tone remained rational: "That's a good suggestion, but you know the nature of my work. Unexpected situations always take precedence over plans."

Kate took a sip of red wine and sighed: "True, a Detective's daily life isn't as flexible as ours as journalists. Anyway, I'm leaving early tomorrow morning. If you decide to go, you can contact me directly. Then, I'll introduce you to some industry bigwigs; maybe it can even give you some inspiration for cases."

Lin En smiled slightly, picking up his teacup: "Thank you for the invitation. In any case, I hope you learn new things at the conference and, by the way, make Manhattanjournalists proud."

Kate lightly clinked Lin En's cup and smiled: "Don't worry, I'm not just going to observe; I'm invited to give a presentation."

Lin En raised an eyebrow, a hint of approval in his voice: "As expected, Kate, you're not simple. I hope your presentation will stun the entire audience."

Kate raised her eyebrows, revealing a confident smile: "Of course. Journalists from the Manhattan Chronicle never disappoint."

The two continued to chat for a while, until late into the night. Lin En got up to leave, and Kate stood at the door, watching him go, a hint of anticipation in her eyes. She didn't know if Lin En would appear at the conference, but deep down, she secretly hoped he would choose to put down the burden of work and give himself a little breathing room.

The next morning, Lin En arrived at the office early as usual. He had just sat down when his phone rang; it was the administrative director of the branch.

"Detective, the New York FBI Headquarters recently organized a high-level training program on inter-departmental cooperation and new crime investigation techniques. We received an invitation, and the spots are limited. Would you like to attend?"

Lin En held the phone, a smile unconsciously curving his lips: "When does the training start?"

"This afternoon at three o'clock. Headquarters has already arranged the reception. The meeting materials have also been sent to you." The director explained.

Lin En nodded, his tone decisive: "Good, I will attend. Thanks for the notification."

After hanging up the phone, Kate's mention of the journalist conference last night came to Lin En's mind. This opportunity just gave him a reason to reasonably go to New York and also accompany Kate.

Soon after, Lin En called Kate.

"Hello, Kate, it's me."

"Lin En?" Kate's voice held a hint of surprise. "Why are you calling so early?"

"I just happen to have an opportunity to go to New York," Lin En explained, his tone relaxed. "Headquarters has a training program starting this afternoon. I thought, since we're going to the same city, how about we go together?"

Kate on the other end of the phone was clearly stunned for a moment, then she laughed: "Are you making an excuse? But sure, it'll save me from being bored alone."

"Then it's settled." Lin En said with a smile, "I'll pick you up downstairs at your place in a bit. Remember not to be late."

"Don't worry, Detective." Kate's tone held a hint of teasing. "Don't make the journalist wait for you."

At eleven in the morning, Lin En drove his car and parked it downstairs at Kate's apartment building. Kate had already packed, carrying a small suitcase, and wearing a light-colored trench coat, looking capable and elegant.

"Good timing, Detective." Kate teased after getting in the car. "It seems the FBI's efficiency is still reliable."

"Of course." Lin En started the engine, looking ahead. "Just like a journalist's punctuality."

The two drove to New York, the atmosphere in the car light and pleasant. They talked about Kate's presentation topic and Lin En's upcoming training program. Kate was clearly curious about the FBI's internal work, asking questions from time to time, and Lin En patiently answered.

A few hours later, the car drove into New York City, and Lin En dropped Kate off outside the journalist conference venue.

"Call me after you're done this afternoon." Lin En said, his gaze showing a hint of concern. "If the time is right, I'll take you to try some authentic New York dinner."

Kate gave a playful smile and waved: "Alright, Detective, it just depends on whether you have time."

Watching Kate enter the venue, Lin En felt a sense of relief.

At seven in the evening, Kate's meeting ended. She walked out of the venue looking relaxed, seeing Lin En already waiting for her at the entrance, holding a hot coffee.

"Detective, you're so punctual." Kate smiled as she took the coffee, clearly in a good mood. "The meeting went very smoothly, and everyone really liked my presentation."

"Of course." Lin En smiled slightly. "You're the ace journalist of the Manhattan Chronicle. Now, since you've completed your great achievement, it's time to reward yourself with a big meal."

Kate raised an eyebrow: "Sounds good, but I hope you don't disappoint me."

Lin En smiled and led her to the car. The two quickly arrived at a restaurant famous for its exquisite French cuisine. The lighting was soft, the atmosphere quiet, perfectly creating a relaxed ambiance.

They ordered a few signature dishes, paired with champagne, and the atmosphere at the table became even more relaxed and pleasant. Kate chatted about interesting things from the conference, while Lin En shared some observations from his training. The two occasionally exchanged smiles, as if everything was developing in a perfect direction.

However, just as dessert was served, a sudden commotion erupted outside. Accompanied by the sound of breaking glass and screams, people poured into the restaurant from outside the windows, their faces filled with terror.

"What happened?" Kate put down her knife and fork, frowning as she asked.

Lin En stood up, quickly looking around: "Stay here and don't move. I'll go check."

He pushed through the chaotic crowd and walked outside the restaurant. On the street, a Mutant was waving his hands, and the surrounding streetlights and cars were overturned by a powerful aura. Electric wires sparked, and people scattered and fled.

The Mutant roared: "Stop oppressing us! I want everyone to know that we Mutants are also human, with dignity and rights!"

Lin En frowned, quickly pulled out his ID, motioned to nearby pedestrians to avoid the area, then approached the Mutant, his voice calm and firm: "I am the FBI. Calm down! No one wants to hurt you. If there's a problem, we can sit down and talk."

The Mutant turned to see Lin En, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes, but he was clearly dominated by emotion, roaring: "Talk? We've been talking for decades, and what's the result? We're still ostracized, discriminated against!"

"I understand your anger." Lin En slowly approached, his voice low. "But your current actions will only make people more afraid of you, and this won't solve the problem. Stop, let's find a better way."

Chapter 259 No Mercy

The Mutant's eyes were filled with struggle, and the surrounding aura began to weaken slightly.

But just then, a police car drove up, and the officers jumped out, quickly drawing their guns and aiming them at him.

"Don't move! Put your hands down, or we'll shoot!"

The Mutant turned angrily, his aura suddenly erupting, sending the officers sprawling to the ground.

Lynn seized the opportunity to rush forward, handcuffing his wrists with special restraints, swiftly sealing off his abilities.

The Mutant struggled for a moment, but finding himself unable to use his abilities, he could only lower his head helplessly.

"You did what you had to do, Detective," one of the officers said, catching his breath as he stood up and addressed Lynn, "Thank you, this guy almost wiped us all out."

Lynn nodded, handing the Mutant over to the officers, while also cautioning, "His emotions are very unstable; send him to a specialized Mutant oversight agency and let them handle him."

When he returned to the restaurant, Kate was standing at the entrance waiting for him, her face full of worry: "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

Lynn patted his clothes, smiling slightly, "But it looks like we won't be having our dessert."

Kate breathed a sigh of relief, saying with a hint of teasing, "It's alright, at least I got to see another side of an FBI Detective.

You're truly always saving the World."

Lynn shrugged, "Just doing my duty.

Now, how about we find a quiet place for some coffee to make up for it?"

Kate chuckled softly, "Alright, but this time you have to promise no more surprises."

The lighting in the cafe was soft, and the air was filled with the aroma of coffee.

Lynn and Kate sat by the window, the hustle and bustle of the street outside seeming to fade away, replaced by a tranquil atmosphere.

As they were chatting about the day's events, a little girl with pigtails walked up to their table, holding a basket of fresh flowers, and looked up with a small face, saying, "Sir, madam, would you like to buy some flowers?

These flowers are very fresh!"

Kate looked up, saw the little girl's smiling face, and couldn't help but smile, "Your flowers are indeed beautiful, but we just…"

Lynn interrupted her, reaching into his pocket for a few banknotes and handing them to the little girl: "I'll take one bouquet."

The little girl happily took the money, picked a bouquet of vibrant Red Rose from the basket, and handed it to Lynn: "Thank you, sir, I hope you have a wonderful evening!"

Lynn took the flowers, turned, and presented the bouquet of Red Rose to Kate, a slight smile playing on his lips: "For you, Kate.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your World."

Kate was slightly taken aback, a flicker of surprise and emotion in her eyes.

She took the roses, gently inhaled their fragrance, then looked up at Lynn, a gentle smile gracing her lips: "Lynn, I think it should be me thanking you.

With you by my side tonight, everything became less terrible."

Lynn lowered his head and took a sip of coffee, smiling indifferently: "Then I'll take it as mutual thanks."

Kate held the roses, leaning back in her chair, her gaze fixed on Lynn, her tone light yet with a hint of seriousness: "Detective, you know what?

Sometimes you really don't seem like a cold FBI; you're actually very warm."

Lynn shrugged, a hint of teasing in his eyes: "So, can I take that as a compliment?"

"Of course."

Kate chuckled softly, "And a very high compliment at that."

Both of them laughed, and the atmosphere became even more relaxed.

As night deepened, Lynn drove Kate to the hotel where she was staying.

Kate carried the bag containing the Red Rose, her face showing a hint of tiredness, but more so a warm satisfaction.

"Thank you, Lynn, today was truly an unexpected yet fulfilling evening."

Kate stood at the hotel entrance, turning to smile at Lynn.

Lynn nodded, watching her enter the lobby, then followed her to the front desk.

He quickly checked in and took a room next to Kate's.

"You're really cautious," Kate teased, "Are you afraid something might happen to me?"

"That's not caution," Lynn said with an indifferent smile, "It's professional habit."

They both returned to their respective rooms.

Kate gently closed the door, placed the Red Rose into the vase provided in the room, and a slight smile appeared on her lips as she looked at the vibrant red.

A few hours passed, and the hotel gradually quieted down.

However, at midnight, there was a sudden urgent knocking at Kate's door.

A man's voice came from outside, slurred and heavily reeking of alcohol: "Miss, open the door!

Don't pretend you can't hear…"

Kate was woken up, put on her coat, and walked to the door.

She looked through the peephole and saw a drunk man standing outside.

He was leaning against the doorframe, swaying, and seemed completely unaware that he had knocked on the wrong door.

Kate frowned, picked up her phone, and was about to call the police when she heard a door open next door.

Lynn's voice was low but full of deterrence: "What are you doing?"

The drunkard turned to look at Lynn, his eyes hazy, muttering, "I… I'm looking for someone… Who are you?"

"No one here knows you, go back to your room."

Lynn stepped forward, his voice as cold as ice.

The drunkard was stunned by Lynn's presence, pausing for a moment, but still grumbled unwillingly, "Mind your business… I didn't do anything…"

Lynn's gaze darkened.

He reached out, grabbed the drunkard's shoulder, and forcefully pulled him away from Kate's door, his voice dropping a few more shades: "I said, leave here.

Either walk away yourself, or I'll take you to the front desk and let security handle it."

The drunkard finally sobered up a bit, a hint of fear flashing across his face.

He struggled to nod and stumbled towards the elevator.

Lynn watched the drunkard leave, then knocked on Kate's door.

Kate opened the door and saw Lynn standing there, a hint of apology in his eyes: "Did I wake you?"

Kate shook her head, forcing a smile: "It's alright, with you here, I always feel safe.

Thank you."

Lynn nodded, his voice gentle: "Lock the door securely and call me if anything happens.

There won't be any more problems tonight."

Kate nodded, watching Lynn turn and return to his own room.

She closed the door, a strange sense of security welling up inside her.

The next morning, Lynn arrived at New York FBI Headquarters to report.

He wore a neat suit and walked steadily into the reception hall.

After a receptionist briefly verified his identity, she smiled and said, "Detective, today you will be greeted by two of our senior Detectives.

They will give you a tour of the Headquarters and introduce our work procedures."

Lynn nodded, politely thanking her.

A few minutes later, two Detectives appeared in the hall, walking towards him from either side, their gazes casually sweeping over Lynn.

"Lin En Stacey, right?"

One of the tall men spoke, his tone somewhat cold, "I'm John, and this is Erik.

We'll be responsible for familiarizing you with the Headquarters environment."

Lynn extended his hand, smiling, "Thank you both."

However, the two merely nodded slightly, not shaking Lynn's hand, but instead turned directly and walked inside: "Follow along, don't fall behind."

Lynn noticed their somewhat cold attitude but didn't show any displeasure.

He followed behind the two, calmly observing everything around him.

John and Erik were clearly Mutants; they moved freely within the Headquarters, giving orders to their subordinates in a strong tone, with an inherent sense of superiority.

However, throughout the entire tour, they barely gave Lynn an opportunity to participate; whether introducing work or demonstrating on-site, they only let him stand by and watch.

"These are our specialized equipment for handling Mutant-related cases."

Erik casually pointed to a row of sophisticated instruments, "Of course, your Manhattan branch, with its ordinary equipment, certainly hasn't seen anything like this."

John chimed in, "That's right, ordinary branches wouldn't have the chance to access such technology.

The work here isn't something just anyone can do."

Lynn remained silent, standing aside, listening and observing carefully.

His gaze occasionally swept over the instruments, sometimes resting on the two Detectives, but he never showed any emotion.

During the tour, several technical personnel passed by with equipment, and Erik casually gave some instructions, but he didn't explain anything to Lynn.

When they demonstrated a key operation, they only briefly showed it, without inviting Lynn to participate at all.

John looked back at Lynn, his tone carrying a hint of mockery: "How does it feel, Detective?

Isn't the New York Headquarters environment much more impressive than your small branch?"

Lynn smiled slightly, his tone calm: "It is indeed very advanced and worth learning from.

However, I believe even the most advanced equipment cannot function without professional operators.

I hope to have the opportunity to learn more about practical operations from you this time."

Erik raised an eyebrow, a faint, cold smile appearing: "Practical operations aren't something just anyone can learn; they require long-term experience.

For an outsider like you, here to study for a few days, just watching is enough."

Lynn remained unprovoked, merely nodding slightly: "Thank you for the reminder; I will do my best to seize this learning opportunity."

Just as the tour was about to end, the Headquarters' alarm suddenly blared, and the atmosphere throughout the building instantly became tense.

John and Erik exchanged glances and quickly connected their communicators.

"What's the situation?"

John asked in a deep voice.

An urgent report came through the communicator: "A hostage situation has occurred at a bank in the city center.

The robbers are heavily armed and have already threatened the safety of the hostages.

We are mobilizing reinforcements."

Erik turned to Lynn, his tone cold: "It seems you'll have a chance to witness the operational capabilities of our New York Headquarters today.

However, you might only be able to observe from the sidelines in this kind of situation."

Lynn didn't respond, only nodding to indicate understanding.

He followed the two quickly into a car and rushed to the scene.

Upon arriving outside the bank, the area had already been cordoned off by the police, and the surroundings were crowded with onlookers.

Lynn's gaze swept around, and he quickly noticed a gunman behind a second-floor window of the bank, using a female hostage as a shield, shouting something agitatedly.

After John and Erik quickly debriefed the on-site Commander, the snipers were in position, but the situation was not optimistic.

The sniper reported through his earpiece: "The target is heavily covered, and the window's view is obstructed; we dare not fire rashly."

Erik frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the stalemate: "In this situation, we must find a better angle.

But time is of the essence, and the hostage's life could be in danger at any moment."

Lynn observed for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Let me try."

John turned, a hint of disdain on his face: "You?

Detective, this isn't a simple case like those at the Manhattan branch.

This requires split-second judgment."

Lynn didn't argue with him; instead, he walked directly to the sniper and took the sniper rifle from him.

After adjusting the scope, he lay down on the ground, calmly observing the situation inside the window.

Erik frowned: "Are you sure you can do this?

With this kind of visibility, even the Headquarters' best sniper would need repeated confirmation."

Lynn didn't answer.

His eyes became sharp, and his finger gently rested on the trigger.

He held his breath, waiting for the optimal moment.

The assailant kept moving within the window, but a moment later, as he raised his gun, half of his head was exposed.

At that very instant, Lynn pulled the trigger without hesitation.

"Bang!"

The bullet accurately struck the target, and the assailant fell, his weapon dropping to the ground.

The hostage was quickly rescued by another SWAT team, the entire process clean and swift, and the crowd at the scene erupted in cheers.

Lynn stood up, handed the gun back to the sniper, then calmly looked at John and Erik: "It seems I can also do some practical work."

John opened his mouth, speechless for a moment, while Erik looked at Lynn with a complex expression, and after a few seconds, he managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Good shot, Detective."

Lynn smiled indifferently, his tone still calm: "We are a team, and no matter which city we're in, our duty is only one: to protect innocent hostages.

Tools and technology are dead; action and judgment are the most important."

At this moment, John and Erik finally gained a new understanding of Lynn's capabilities.

They stood silently to the side, while Lynn had already walked towards the recently rescued female hostage, confirming her safety.

Back at Headquarters, Erik's mood was clearly complex.

He was unwilling to have been upstaged by Lynn in a critical moment, feeling that this Detective from the Manhattan branch was merely lucky, or perhaps only good at shooting, and not necessarily comparable to a professional Mutant Detective like himself in other aspects.

In the locker room, Erik changed into his combat training uniform and walked up to Lynn, a hint of provocation in his smile: "Detective, your performance just now was indeed good.

However, marksmanship is ultimately only a long-range skill.

Our FBI Headquarters Detectives prioritize comprehensive abilities, especially close-quarters combat.

I wonder if you're interested in a sparring match?"

Lynn took off his jacket, hung it aside, and smiled slightly: "Sparring?

Of course.

I'm also curious how strong New York Headquarters' close-quarters combat is."

Erik clapped his hands, signaling his colleagues to come and watch.

He walked into the training area, took a stance, and said with clear confidence in his tone: "Detective, I am a Mutant; you need to be careful.

I won't hold back."

Lynn calmly walked to the center of the field, took a defensive stance, and said in a calm tone: "Come at me."

The onlookers all showed expressions of anticipation; most of them knew that Erik's ability was short-range instant acceleration, combined with extremely fast close-quarters attacks, making him almost unbeatable.

They felt that Lynn had almost no chance of winning, at most lasting a few minutes.

"Begin!"

Erik roared, instantly activating, turning into an afterimage as he charged towards Lynn.

His speed was dazzling, and ordinary people couldn't react at all.

Chapter 260 This is too dangerous

However, just as he thought he could land a punch on Lynn's chest, Lynn slightly tilted his body, easily dodging the attack as if he had already anticipated his movement.

Erik was startled, but he didn't stop, quickly changing direction and attacking again. However, no matter how fast he was or how tricky his punches were, Lynn always managed to dodge at the last moment. His movements were calm and precise, even carrying a hint of understated ease.

The surrounding colleagues gradually held their breath, their eyes filled with disbelief. They had never seen anyone escape Erik's close-quarters attack unscathed, let alone like Lynn, who wasn't even touched.

Erik gradually grew anxious, quickening the pace of his attacks, trying to suppress Lynn with continuous punches. However, Lynn's reaction remained consistent; his every dodge was perfectly timed, and he would even occasionally use subtle movements to throw Erik off balance.

A few minutes later, Erik stopped, panting as he looked at Lynn, his face full of incredulity: "You…how is that possible? How did you do it?"

Lynn smiled slightly, his tone still calm: "Observation, judgment, reaction. Every one of your movements has subtle precursors. No matter how fast you are, it's impossible to have no flaws. As long as you're focused enough, you can find the rhythm to dodge."

The surrounding onlookers erupted in a low murmur of discussion, many showing expressions of admiration. Lynn not only proved his ability in a crisis but also displayed his extraordinary calmness and insight.

Erik finally let out a long breath and extended his hand: "Detective, I'm convinced. You truly are a strong person."

Lynn shook his hand, smiling slightly: "We each have our strengths. Your ability is also excellent, it's just that sometimes, calmness is more important than speed."

Early the next morning, Lynn had just finished his daily report when he received a notification from Erik, requesting him to immediately go to a confidential meeting room at headquarters. Lynn felt a hint of confusion but didn't ask further, heading directly to the designated location.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense. As soon as the door closed, Erik personally confirmed the room's soundproofing system. Then, he exchanged glances with John, seemingly communicating silently.

"Detective," Erik began, his tone carrying a seriousness he had never shown before, "I apologize for my previous attitude towards you. Now I must admit, your ability is truly admirable, and you are capable enough to handle the problems we are about to face."

Lynn sat at the table, his gaze calm: "Get to the point. What is the real reason for gathering branch members at headquarters?"

Erik took a deep breath and placed a document in front of Lynn: "In fact, the New York headquarters has recently been investigating a very tricky case. We discovered that someone is attempting to restart an extremely dangerous experiment—the artificial cultivation of Mutants."

Lynn opened the document, his eyes quickly scanning its contents. It was a brief but detailed report describing a series of clues suggestive of secret experiments, including missing innocent citizens, undisclosed experimental facilities, and illegal equipment used for gene editing.

"Artificial cultivation of Mutants?" Lynn looked up, his brow furrowed, "This isn't something an ordinary criminal group could do. There must be extremely strong technical support and funding behind it."

"Exactly." John interjected, "According to the intelligence we have, this Experiment Organization is likely controlled by a group of scientists and capitalists. They are attempting to create 'customized Mutants' through gene editing technology, which not only violates the law but also threatens the balance of existing society."

Lynn pointed to a section in the report: "The experimental goal mentioned here is actually to make the Mutants' abilities more controllable. This kind of thing simply cannot help but cause disaster."

"It is precisely for this reason that we have invited elite Detectives from various regions, including you, to provide support," Erik said, his tone serious, "We need the best minds and the strongest executive power to deal with this crisis."

Lynn closed the document, thought for a moment, then asked: "What specific clues do you currently have? Have you found their experimental location or key figures?"

Erik shook his head: "The clues are very scattered. We only know of a few possible strongholds, one of which is in a deserted industrial area on the outskirts of New York, but it's full of traps and surveillance. One of our previous reconnaissance teams has already gone missing there."

Lynn's gaze sharpened: "So, what is our mission now?"

John handed over a map, pointing to several markings on it: "Your mission is to assist us in investigating these strongholds, finding concrete evidence, and simultaneously rescuing the missing personnel. If the target is confirmed, we will launch a full-scale operation."

Lynn nodded, his tone firm: "Understood. This kind of thing must not be allowed to continue."

Erik looked at him, his expression showing a complex trust: "Lynn, this matter might be more dangerous than you imagine. We don't know what technology they possess, nor do we know if they have already created some uncontrollable entities."

Lynn calmly stood up and put away the document: "I never underestimate the enemy, but I will not allow them to trample on the innocent. When do we start the operation?"

Erik's gaze became resolute: "Tonight. We need to seize the opportunity before they transfer the experiment."

When Lynn and the headquarters team arrived at the deserted industrial area on the outskirts, the sky was already faintly lit. The industrial area was silent, with dilapidated factory buildings emitting a decaying odor. Erik, leading the way, raised his hand, signaling the team to stop, and whispered, "It's very quiet here, but that doesn't mean there's no danger. Stay alert."

Lynn nodded, his gaze quickly scanning the surroundings. He noticed some faint footprints on the ground, extending in the direction of the factory building. He signaled his team to follow, leading them carefully closer.

Upon entering the factory building, the air was filled with a pungent chemical smell. Lynn frowned slightly, sweeping his flashlight around. In one corner of the factory building, several experimental tables were placed, scattered with broken test tubes and remnants of equipment.

"This place has obviously been cleaned up," Erikwhispered, reaching down to pick up a broken piece of equipment, "But they didn't clean thoroughly enough; they left some things behind."

Lynn took the equipment and examined it carefully, finding some tiny letters and codes carved on it: "These are the serial numbers of the experimental equipment, possibly related to their experimental records. Taking them back for analysis will be helpful."

Just then, John's voice came from the other side: "Something's here!"

Lynn and Erik quickly rushed over, only to see Johnkneeling on the ground beside an injured FBI agent. The agent had multiple abrasions on his body, seemingly having undergone a fierce conflict, his face pale but still conscious.

"What happened?" Lynn knelt down and asked.

The agent struggled to lift his head, his voice weak: "They…they had Mutant guards. Our team was ambushed…they took some equipment and retreated eastward. There might be other people there."

Lynn looked at his injuries and turned to Erik, saying, "He needs immediate treatment. Have the logistics team pick him up. We must continue to track these clues."

Erik nodded, calling for support on his communicator, and simultaneously gave operational instructions to the remaining team members: "Search quickly and see if there are any other remaining clues."

Lynn continued his search and found some residual gene editing equipment and fragments of documents. He collected these fragments and carefully placed them in an evidence bag. Then, his gaze fell on a back door of the factory building; the marks on the door indicated it had just been forced open.

"This door is their retreat route," Lynn said, pointing to the door, "We need to track them as soon as possible."

Erik looked at the door, then at Lynn: "Are you sure?"

Lynn nodded, his tone calm and firm: "Footprints, the extent of damage to the door lock, and the direction mentioned by the agent. All clues point here. They probably haven't gone far."

Erik pondered for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, then we'll split up. Lynn, you take a team to pursue from the back door. John and I will stay here to continue searching and see if we can find more intelligence."

Lynn didn't hesitate and immediately led a team to track in the direction of the back door.

Lynn led the team quickly through the back door, tracking along the footprints and other faint traces. The other party was clearly moving fast, but the subtle clues they left behind—a piece of broken fabric, scattered metal fragments, and occasional mud prints—were enough for Lynn to confirm their direction.

"They went that way," Lynn pointed to a messy patch of woods.

The team entered the woods, everyone extra cautious, their guns pointed forward. A faint rustling sound came from deep within the woods. Lynn immediately made a stopping gesture, signaling everyone to slow their pace.

Just then, a crisp sound of branches being snapped suddenly came from ahead. Lynn sharply looked up, only to see a blurry figure flash by, quickly fleeing deeper into the woods.

"Target ahead! Pursue!" Lynn commanded in a low voice, leading the charge.

They chased for several hundred meters through the woods, but the opponent was clearly very familiar with the terrain, constantly using bushes and tree trunks to conceal his tracks. Lynn gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed on the figure ahead, raised his gun, aimed, and calmly pulled the trigger.

"Bang!"

The bullet cut through the air, hitting the fleeing person's shoulder. The opponent let out a muffled groan, his body staggered, almost falling, but he propped himself up with his other hand on a tree trunk and continued to stumble forward.

Lynn did not relax his vigilance, signaling the team to maintain formation. They continued to pursue, but soon found that the opponent had accelerated into a denser patch of woods, disappearing without a trace.

Lynn stopped, raising his hand to signal the team members to cease pursuit. He crouched down, carefully observing the bloodstains and footprints on the ground: "He's injured, but not severely enough to stop him from escaping. This person is clearly trained."

A team member asked, panting, "Should we continue to pursue, Detective?"

Lynn stood up and shook his head: "We cannot act rashly. They might have set an ambush. Let's return to the industrial area first, consolidate the existing clues, and take these blood samples back for analysis to see if we can confirm his identity."

The team quickly tidied the scene, collected some bloodstains and other leftover items, then retreated to the rendezvous point in the deserted industrial area.

Back at the scene, Erik looked at Lynn, a hint of reluctance in his tone: "Didn't catch him?"

Lynn handed him the evidence bag, his tone calm: "Didn't catch him, but he's injured and won't get far. These blood samples can be used to clarify his identity, and perhaps find more information about the Experiment Organization."

Erik took the evidence bag, a flicker of approval in his eyes: "Alright, at least we gained something. This target is too cunning, but next time he won't be so lucky."

Lynn nodded, a hint of determination in his gaze: "This is just the beginning. We will find their lair and put an end to this experiment."

Upon returning to the industrial area, Lynn began to meticulously examine the experimental equipment seized from the scene. In a broken terminal, he discovered a hidden storage module. After connecting the module to a portable decoder, some encrypted files appeared on the screen.

"What is this?" Erik leaned over for a look, frowning, "The files are encrypted, but they look like critical experimental records."

Lynn carefully examined the file structure, attempting to open it with simple decryption tools, but the screen only showed several decryption failed prompts. He took a deep breath and turned the equipment to the headquarters' technical personnel: "Can you decrypt this file? It might be key to finding our answers."

The technician connected the terminal and began running advanced decryption programs. A few minutes later, the screen finally displayed partially decrypted content. Although most of the content was still obscured, some key phrases were clearly visible:

"Enhanced Mutant Project"

"Gene Editing Sequence Upgrade"

"Controllability of Abilities"

Lynn's gaze was fixed on the screen, and he repeated in a low voice: "Enhanced Mutant Project…They're not just artificially creating Mutants, they're trying to control their abilities?"

Erik's expression became even more serious: "If it's true, once this technology succeeds, it will not only overturn society but also potentially give these people immense threatening capabilities."

John added: "Moreover, this technology might not only target Mutants; perhaps ordinary people could also gain abilities through gene editing. This is too dangerous."

The technician interrupted their discussion, saying with a nervous expression: "Detectives, these files have a lot of deeper encryption, and it might take a few days to fully unlock them. But there's already a mention of a project codenamed 'Mainline Experiment' here, and the timeline shows it's within the next week."

Lynn pondered for a moment, then said: "No need to wait for full decryption. Let's first focus our efforts on investigating the 'Mainline Experiment.' Technician, mark down the timeline and all related content, and see if there are any other clues that can be located."

The technician nodded and continued searching the files. A moment later, he looked up, his tone a bit tense: "It mentions a location here, possibly one of the core experimental areas—a deserted laboratory near the coast."

Erik immediately said: "Then let's organize an operation right away and flatten that place."

Lynn shook his head: "No. The other party clearly has a high level of alertness. If we act rashly, we might alert them. Since they dared to encrypt these files, it means this might just be a front or a disguise."