No matter how furious the British government was, finding Frank and his team would have to wait. The immediate concern for the unlucky Prime Minister was how to pacify the angry citizens, who were now gathered outside 10 Downing Street demanding answers after the massive explosion on British soil earlier that day. What explanation could he possibly offer? Should he admit that, over thirty years ago, his government, along with their American counterparts, had plotted something so sinister? That their actions had led to Dr. Bailey, who harbored a deep hatred for their country, using the very bomb they created to blow up their own land?
Completely suppressing the news was impossible. After the explosion, Russia, ever eager to stir the pot, had quickly exposed the full story to the world via their media. Now, everyone knew that the disaster on British soil was a direct result of their own misdeeds. The Prime Minister was overwhelmed, nearly despairing over the impossible situation.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Ben Gates, who had just acquired a pair of glasses from the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, was oblivious to the chaos in the UK. Using the hidden lenses, Gates deciphered the secret written on the back of the Declaration of Independence—a secret that had burdened his family for over two hundred years. The message revealed the true location of the Freemasons' treasure, lost since the American Revolutionary War.
This revelation thrilled Gates. His family had been entrusted with the responsibility of guarding this treasure, but after the ancestor who knew the exact location died unexpectedly, the secret was lost, leaving the Gates family to bear the shame of betrayal in the eyes of the Freemasons.
Now, having uncovered the long-lost clue, Gates, the most talented member of his family in generations, could finally clear their name. He wasn't going to wait. He needed to go to New York and recover the treasure hidden beneath Trinity Church, washing away the family's centuries-old dishonor.
As for the explosion in the UK that the news was covering? It had nothing to do with him. In fact, he was grateful to the mysterious Dr. Bailey for causing such a massive distraction. Had it not been for the morning's big news, the media might still be broadcasting the FBI's hunt for him. But now, all attention was on the UK, and Gates could continue his mission without as much pressure from law enforcement.
With the FBI's focus shifted, Gates, his unlucky friend, and the beautiful historian accompanying them were already on their way to New York, determined to unearth the Freemasons' treasure that had been hidden in the crypt beneath Trinity Church.
What Gates didn't know was that as soon as he arrived at Trinity Church in his rented car, he was spotted by a surveillance program that the chubby guy had set up under Castle's orders to monitor the church.
Having already divided up the spoils from their own treasure haul, Castle and his friends quickly switched into "spectator mode," eagerly watching Gates' every move. Castle even informed Beckett, who had been waiting for Gates to arrive in New York so she could arrest him.
Beckett, who had discreetly stationed Esposito and other officers outside the church, finally breathed a sigh of relief when Castle gave her the news. Although she had always trusted Castle's information, she could only fully relax now that she had visual confirmation of Gates' presence.
After all, while the explosion in the UK had grabbed international attention, it didn't concern Beckett. What mattered to her was capturing Ben Gates, who was still wanted nationwide for stealing the Declaration of Independence. Though Castle and Beckett were likely the only ones aware of Gates' true intentions—to recover the lost treasure from the American Revolution—she had a plan in place: once Gates sneaked into Trinity Church that night, she would lead her team to trap him in the vault where the treasure was hidden.
Castle had assured her that this treasure, which the Freemasons had sought for over 200 years, would draw their attention once Gates found it. His wanted status would become a trivial matter, as the powerful Freemasons would handle it behind the scenes. Beckett, meanwhile, would have the chance to complete her mission, arresting Gates and securing the treasure all in one move—a win-win situation.
Thus, when Castle informed her that Gates had been spotted outside Trinity Church on surveillance footage, she personally left the 12th Precinct and headed to the church to oversee the operation.
As the whole world was engrossed in the fallout from the UK explosion and the political chaos that followed—complete with calls for the resignation of the British Prime Minister and his cabinet, a process that curiously resembled Japan's frequent government turnovers—no one was paying attention to what was happening in New York.
That night, Gates, after conducting a brief reconnaissance of Trinity Church, couldn't wait any longer. As soon as darkness fell, he and his two companions slipped into the now-empty church.
But this so-called "legendary adventurer" seemed to have little talent for stealth. Gates didn't even notice that the NYPD had surrounded the church or that surveillance cameras were watching his every move. Instead, he proudly boasted to his female companion that he was 90% sure he had found the treasure the Freemasons had been searching for over two centuries.
Beckett, watching through the police surveillance feed, began to doubt Castle's claim that Gates was a skilled adventurer. How could someone this oblivious, who didn't even notice the police practically breathing down his neck, be considered "legendary"? She was almost embarrassed for him.
What Beckett didn't realize was that Gates was simply too excited. After finally finding the treasure that had unjustly burdened his family for over 200 years, and knowing that it would clear his name, Gates was too focused on the moment to notice anything else. Plus, his growing attraction to his beautiful companion was clouding his judgment. Lost in the thrill of his impending victory, he paid no attention to the potential dangers around him.
Back at Castle's Long Island estate, the group, led by Castle, lounged in the living room watching the police's surveillance feed in real-time. They were essentially watching a reality show starring Ben Gates.
As they watched Gates finally locate the coffin of a third-degree Freemason and find the secret door to the treasure vault hidden behind it, the chubby guy, who was eager to see what would happen next, asked Castle, "Uncle Rick, when you went to the church the other night, did you find the vault by moving that same coffin? That hole looks so small. How did you manage to move so much treasure out in less than three hours? You're amazing!"
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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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