Atrophy of Love: Mr. Harris, Stop Fooling Around! novel Chapter 476

They went out to check if there were any suspicious-looking people loitering around before they went into the unit and closed the door behind them. Then, they remained standing by the door, guarding.

Charles glanced around briefly. It was a three-bedroom apartment with an open-space living room. Aside from the two men guarding the two, there were another two standing beside Mr. Zellner.

He did not see anyone else around, but his skills and senses have been well-honed after going through military training with his uncles in the past, and he could sense that there were many people staring at him right then.

For all he knew, Sophia might be held hostage by one of those people staring at him.

Aside from that, the floor-to-ceiling windows at the back of the living room gave him a good view of the building across them, and he noticed a glimmer of light outside the window earlier that he suspected was a scope flash from a sniper rifle.

Mr. Zellner had jurisdiction over the entire Department of Homeland Security so he had a close relationship with the army. It would not be a trouble for him to arrange for one or two snipers for this occasion.

Mr. Zellner was dressed in comfortable loungewear and he seemed quite amiable. When he saw Charles, he merely asked him to sit down and said nothing else.

Charles sat down quietly with a flash drive and document folder in hand.

After a while, Mr. Zellner’s phone rang. He answered the call and simply grunted a response. Although there was not much change in his expression, it was noticeable that he looked much more relaxed after the call.

“Mr. Zellner, have you checked through the surroundings?” Charles asked expressionlessly.

Mr. Zellner gave him a smile and nodded. “Mr. Harris, you stay true to your word, you’re indeed a wonderful partner to collaborate with. We actually had another chance to work together but unfortunately, you…”

“I’m already here so there’s no need for you to beat around the bush with those words of courtesy, Mr. Zellner.” Every cell in Charles’ body was tense. “However, even if I’m here alone, Mr. Zellner, please trust me on this: Don’t bother playing any games with me, it’s useless.”

A look of annoyance flashed across Mr. Zellner’s eyes, and even though it was obvious that he was upset, the smile still plastered on his face. “Mr. Harris, please don’t joke around. You might be young but I have heard many things about you. I asked you here today out of sincerity because I want to make a deal.”

His gaze paused on the document folder and flash drive in Charles’ hands. His intention was clear: He had asked Charles over today for the things in the document folder.

The law stipulated that all corporations are only allowed one set of accounting records, but many companies had one copy made only for themselves. This was a well-known but undisclosed fact that only people in the industry knew about.

A transaction that should never see the light of day, like a money-laundering deal, would only be vaguely recorded in the copy made for the company itself. Hence, as long as the accounting records were in safe hands, the culprit need not have to worry about the deal being exposed.

Charles scoffed upon hearing this. “Holding my woman hostage to threaten me does sound quite sincere.”

“Well, I didn’t have a choice. If you hadn’t had me investigated in private, I wouldn’t have to ask Ms. White over as a guest.” Despite the seemingly harmonious smile on Mr. Zellner’s face, the smile did not reach his eyes at all.

Charles merely snorted and said nothing. Instead, he threw the document folder and flash drive on the table.

The two men exchanged ferocious glances as the air thickened around them.

Mr. Zellner kept his eyes on the document folder and the flash drive, then he signaled one of the men standing beside him. The subordinate quickly nodded and stepped forward to grab the items.

“Did I say that it’s yours?” Charles gave the subordinate a cold glare, completely disregarding Mr. Zellner who was the host.

The man paused as turned to Mr. Zellner as he waited for further instruction.

The smile on Mr. Zellner’s face froze. “Put it down! It’s here already, why are you so impatient? Do you think it can grow legs and run away? Apologize to Mr. Harris!”

The second part seemed to be directed at Charles.

Mr. Zellner knew that Commander Zoe was investigating him, but he had no idea that the Department of Justice already had two teams set up looking into him, and he instantly paled.

His subordinates immediately panicked when they heard this as well.

Mr. Zellner’s expression darkened and he did not respond.

This was indeed a good suggestion.

However, he could not possibly leave the country with all the money that had not been properly processed. Otherwise, he would certainly be caught when he went through customs.

They were all money he had accumulated over the years, and besides, he would need to prepare a lot of things before going abroad…

“Mr. Zellner, have you made up your mind?” Charles asked.

Mr. Zellner was not as calm and collected as before. “Mr. Harris, if it was you, you wouldn’t be able to decide so soon either, would you?”

A smirk tugged at Charles’ lips. “I don’t care how much time you need to think about this, nor does it matter to me, but I want to see Sophia right now, immediately, this instant!”

He licked his bottom lip as he leaned forward. “Of course, you can ignore my request, but if I don’t return with Sophia in another half an hour, someone will be sending some very important information to Commander Zoe.”