As soon as Winston voiced his concern, Castle realized that the older man wasn't actually mad at him, but worried that Castle might have gotten too deeply involved in the situation. Winston feared that John Bull's furious government or the scapegoating CIA might come after Castle.
Understanding this, Castle sheepishly replied, "So you were worried about me, huh? Well, you don't need to be. Sure, I told Frank and his team that Dr. Bailey didn't die in Moscow over thirty years ago but was secretly imprisoned by John Bull, but that's not a huge deal. Don't forget, I'm a shareholder of Northrop Grumman. Even if John Bull loses its mind, they wouldn't dare come after me openly, right? And as for the CIA, if they try anything, they'll find out what 'untouchable' really means.
Besides, Frank isn't even to blame for this whole mess. If he hadn't gotten that bomb out of the Kremlin, it could've fallen into the hands of the Russians. Sure, John Bull might have avoided the explosion, but they would've faced an enraged Bear instead. This all stems from that ridiculous plan they and the White Eagle government concocted years ago, leaving a bomb that size in the presidential palace? John Bull deserves this—they brought it on themselves!"
Winston looked exasperatedly at the cocky young man in front of him. "Do you have any idea? The explosion killed at least 50,000 people, and the injured are in the hundreds of thousands. If that small city had had more residents, the casualties would be even higher.
And that city is a port. The explosion not only caused a massive loss of life but also led to astronomical damages to ships and property. Rumor has it that Her Majesty the Queen fainted when she heard the news. The John Bull cabinet is now desperately looking for someone to blame because the damage is simply too severe.
You better be careful. Knowing how shameless John Bull's officials can be, they might very well pin this on you if they find out you were involved."
Castle smirked, "I've long since come to terms with their lack of scruples. And very few people know I told Frank about Dr. Bailey. Even Frank's team didn't tell the John Bull agents who forced them to cooperate, so I'm not worried about that.
I'm just concerned about whether Frank and his team can escape John Bull's wrath with Shaun's help."
Winston snorted. "Do you really think this is still the heyday of the British Empire? North Africa, where Shaun took Frank's team, isn't the playground for John Bull it once was. Anyway, you've got your answers. Be careful not to draw the attention of the CIA or John Bull. Anything else?"
Castle grinned. "Actually, yes!"
Intrigued, Winston leaned in. "Go on, let's hear it."
Castle finally got to the point. "You've heard about the National Archives incident a couple of nights ago, right? Some guy named Ben Gates stole the Declaration of Independence!"
Winston nodded. Of course, he knew about that high-profile theft, but despite the Continental Hotel's extensive underground network, he wasn't omniscient. He had no idea what Castle was getting at.
Castle didn't hold back. He told Winston the whole story of the Gates family legend, which dated back to the American Revolutionary War. He explained how Ben Gates likely stole the Declaration not for its historical value, but to find a long-lost treasure belonging to the Freemasons, a treasure that had disappeared during the war.
And unlike his ancestors, Gates wasn't just a treasure hunter; he had actually found clues to the treasure's whereabouts!
Castle's real aim, however, was to use Winston's wide-reaching connections. He didn't believe that someone who had been running the Continental Hotel in New York for over thirty years wouldn't know key figures in the Freemasons. Castle hoped Winston could discreetly spread the word that the legendary treasure might be hidden in New York. That way, when Gates eventually showed up at Trinity Church and was caught by Beckett after finding the treasure, the Freemasons wouldn't be blindsided by the sudden revelation.
Castle's plan was simple: once Winston informed a high-ranking Freemason, Beckett could then capture Gates just after he had found the treasure. The Freemasons, upon recovering their long-lost treasure, would surely owe Beckett a favor.
Although in the original storyline Gates had no intention of keeping the treasure for himself, this world was different. Only Castle knew for sure that Gates' motives were pure. If Beckett caught Gates just as he uncovered the treasure, it would only be natural for the Freemasons to express their gratitude, right?
As expected, when Winston heard about the missing treasure of the Freemasons, a treasure that had been hunted by various factions for centuries, his expression changed. After a brief moment of disbelief, Winston regained his composure and said, "I'm no longer worried about you being implicated in Dr. Bailey's antics. If what you're saying is true, and the Freemasons' treasure is really in New York, then I can guarantee that both you and your girlfriend Beckett will earn the friendship of the Freemasons."
Castle was curious why Winston was so confident, but before he could ask, Winston explained. "You probably don't know how the Freemasons view that treasure. It's not just valuable in terms of money. According to several high-ranking members I've spoken with over the years, there's a particular artifact of significant importance to the Freemasons among the treasure. That's why they've been searching for it for over two centuries without giving up.
Based on what you've told me, I know who Ben Gates is now. His ancestors were Freemasons tasked with guarding the treasure during the Revolutionary War.
But whether it was due to assassination or some accident, the only person in the Gates family who knew the treasure's exact location died, and with him, the secret. Since then, the Gates family has been accused of betraying the Freemasons and hiding the treasure for themselves, hence their reputation as traitors and thieves.
I've heard of Ben Gates before—he's a famous explorer. It seems like this time, he's actually found the treasure's whereabouts.
Your plan, kid, is to use me to tip off the Freemasons, right? You want to make sure their higher-ups know about this before Gates finds the treasure and Beckett catches him, right? Fine, I'll grant you that."
Castle wasn't embarrassed that Winston had seen through his plan. He just grinned awkwardly.
Winston wasn't offended, in fact, he seemed pleased. "Your idea is a good one. While everyone's attention is on Dr. Bailey's stunt, and no one knows if John Bull will come after you, you've timed this perfectly. By leaking this critical piece of information, you might even win the Freemasons' gratitude.
So, I get it now. You didn't come here because of Dr. Bailey's bombshell news; you came because of this treasure business, right? No problem. I'll pass the message to the Freemasons. If you're certain Gates will show up in New York, and the treasure is indeed here, leave the Freemasons to me. I'll handle it."
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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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