Once the design of the new spherical detection devices was finalized, it didn't take Sunday long to produce two prototypes, which were promptly sent to the secret base in Yellowstone National Park for testing.
The maximum speed had been upgraded from 10 meters per second to a staggering 50 meters per second. While the explosive power remained unchanged, the spherical device's outer metal surface was now coated with lattice-patterned silver.
When the device detonated, countless silver fragments would scatter in all directions, shredding any target within the blast radius. For werewolves and vampires, these silver shards would be as deadly as venom.
That night, in an excellent mood, William joined his equally radiant mother, Lena, and Abigail for dinner.
Recently, Chelsea had won four consecutive matches. The team's morale was at an all-time high, and with no fear of injuries thanks to advanced technology, the players leaned heavily on the rules to increase physical contact with opponents during matches. This tactic had left many teams dreading playing against Chelsea.
However, this strategy wasn't without its downsides. Across England, the media, rival teams, and their fans who had suffered injuries caused by Chelsea players were all fiercely criticizing the team.
Even some Chelsea fans had begun voicing their dissatisfaction, complaining that matches involving Chelsea looked more like rugby than football. Many had even started calling for Mourinho to step down.
Still, none of this dampened the mood at the Devonshire dinner table. To William and his family, as long as the team kept winning, the rest was just noise.
After dinner, as William sat with his mother and Abigail, laughing at English pundits on TV openly criticizing Chelsea, Sunday's voice suddenly reported, "Sir, the old earl's butler has confessed. I believe you should review the situation immediately."
Hearing this, William patted Abigail on the shoulder. "Keep Mom company. I need to take care of something."
Watching William quickly leave after briefly acknowledging her, Lena frowned. Concerned, she turned to Abigail. "Has he been spending all his time in the basement these days?"
"Yes, ma'am," Abigail nodded, her worry evident. "While we were at the castle, he handed over everything related to the Margaux Vineyard acquisition, the Formula 1 racing team, the 300-hectare estate on Lake Como, and the Swiss ski resort to Jessie and me.
"Aside from occasionally accompanying the three of us for horseback riding or a hunting trip, he spent almost all his time in the castle's basement.
"Since returning to London, he hasn't left the estate. When I asked him what he was working on, he casually mentioned something about developing a spherical device."
"Damn it, could something have happened again?" Lena muttered under her breath. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Call Jessie and tell her to stay safe. She shouldn't leave the Latour Vineyard unless absolutely necessary."
"Understood, ma'am," Abigail nodded. She quickly took out her phone and called Jessie, advising her to stay cautious. Then, after glancing at Lena, Abigail made another call to Ambrosio, instructing her to always travel with the security detail that William had arranged.
Lena rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. While she didn't particularly like Ambrosio, she also didn't want the woman to be harmed because of William.
Though her face remained stern, inwardly she was pleased that Abigail had taken the initiative to ensure Ambrosio's safety.
"I'm going to rest now," Lena said, rising from her seat. "You should be careful these next few days as well."
"I will, ma'am," Abigail replied. "Unless absolutely necessary, I'll stay here at the estate."
Lena nodded and headed to her bedroom. Sitting on the sofa, she thought for a while before pulling out her phone and making a call.
The line was quickly answered. "What can I do for you, ma'am?"
After a brief hesitation, Lena said, "Something might be brewing. Have our people stay alert, and discreetly assign protection to the two women William has away from home."
"Understood. I'll arrange it immediately."
"Good," Lena replied. After a moment's thought, she added, "How is Guan Yuming doing?"
"There's been a bit of trouble," the voice on the other end replied. "While trying to recruit personnel in China, he discovered that their special agencies were monitoring him. To avoid causing unnecessary trouble or misunderstandings, he's asked me for further instructions."
"Tell him to stop for now," Lena instructed. "My only goal was to quietly recruit a few people to protect our family. Have him bring the personnel he's already gathered back to England. Let Harry evaluate them—those who pass can stay. Those who don't can be given funds to open Chinese restaurants in London and serve as informants."
"Understood," the voice hesitated briefly before asking, "Ma'am, are you really planning to bring Marvin back?"
"Marvin Boggs?" Lena asked, puzzled. "What about him?"
"I had someone look into Marvin's recent years. He seems... a bit unstable.
"He's been living alone in the swamps of the southern United States, constantly paranoid about being watched. Do you think he's still fit to be William's butler?"
"I don't know," Lena admitted after a pause. "Marvin was recommended by Harry."
After a few moments of hesitation, Lena added, "You know, if it weren't for William's interaction with Guan Yuming, I wouldn't have even known that my father had a secret team.
"I wouldn't have reached out to those team members without you. But if William trusts Harry enough to give him control of Kingsman, then Harry's judgment must mean something. And people who can earn William's trust are few and far between."
"Few? I'd say almost none," the voice replied dryly. "From what I know, he probably doesn't even trust me. And to think I left MI6 for the Devonshire family, gave up my 007 position, and even changed my name."
Lena chuckled. "Come on, Pierce. You know that, over the years, it might seem like I've had it the hardest, but the truth is, it's been William.
"He's had to play dumb and deceive everyone with ill intentions since he was a child, just to protect himself. If he weren't cautious, who knows if he or I would even still be alive today?"
Pierce fell silent for a moment before replying reluctantly, "Fine. I just hope William doesn't mistake my efforts to protect you for hostility and decide to eliminate me."
"He won't. If it ever comes to that, you can just tell him you're acting on my orders."
"I hope so," Pierce muttered.
After ending the call, Lena hesitated on the sofa, debating whether to tell William about the secret team she'd inherited from her father.
But then she thought about Sunday and realized that William probably already knew.
If he hadn't mentioned it, it was likely because he didn't mind and wanted her to maintain control of an unseen force.
Besides, Harry Hart was now the head of Kingsman, and Guan Yuming owed William a great debt for avenging his daughter. It was unlikely that either of them would hide anything from William.
With this thought, Lena tossed her phone aside and sighed. Her son was so capable that it left her feeling like she had no sense of accomplishment.
Meanwhile, in the underground lab at the estate, William was indeed aware that the former 007, now known as Pierce, was working for his mother.
However, he had no idea that Lena had discreetly arranged protection for Jessie and Ambrosio.
William's orders to Sunday regarding his mother's privacy were clear: unless there was an immediate threat, anything involving Lena's personal affairs wasn't to be reported to him.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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