The Shadow of Great Britain

335: Chapter 208: Intelligence Bureau Welfare House (4K8)_3 335: Chapter 208: Intelligence Bureau Welfare House (4K8)_3 At this point, Arthur asked, “Charles, do you have any particularly lofty ideals?”

Wheatstone thought for a moment and shook his head, “Not at the moment.”

Arthur continued, “Are you very self-centered?”

Wheatstone thought again, “I just don’t like dealing with people, but saying I’m self-centered is too hurtful.”

Arthur pressed on, “Can you be bought with money or women?”

Wheatstone suddenly blushed, “This I…

um…

perhaps I could consider…”

But before he could finish, Arthur interrupted him, “No, Charles, I understand you well, you can’t.”

Wheatstone scratched his head awkwardly and stammered, “Arthur, this…

really can.”

Arthur sternly said, “You’d better think carefully before answering, this time the gun on the table is loaded.”

“I…” Wheatstone took a deep breath, “Alright, I can’t.”

“See.” Arthur spread his hands, “Charles, you see, you were coerced.”

Wheatstone exclaimed, “With tactics like these, no one would be free from coercion.”

“That’s not true.” Arthur leaned back in his chair, “Do you still remember Mr.

Eld Carter?”

“Of course, he’s quite a character!”

Arthur said, “For Eld, even if I put a gun to his head, he would still be swayed by a woman.

By the way, I’ve always thought he might become the finest employee in the bureau, maybe even a legend in all of Britain when it comes to intelligence.

His single-minded desires are so valuable for an intelligence agent facing many temptations.

Of course, all this assumes he doesn’t end up dead at the hands of the Amazon Cannibals.”

Listening to this, Wheatstone felt Arthur was just teasing him.

However, thanks to this bit of humor, he didn’t feel as tense as he did when he first heard the recording.

After all, it was just the revelation of a conspiracy involving a parliamentarian and a magistrate; could that really be scarier than being held at gunpoint by Chief Hastings?

Wheatstone helplessly asked, “So, what exactly are you keeping me here for?”

Upon hearing this, Arthur simply smiled, “Charles, actually, I’ve always wanted to apologize to you.

I think I might have been too harsh before, dragging you from your safe house into this vast, colorful world despite your fear of social interactions.

That was indeed too cruel.”

Arthur finished speaking, and perhaps from shock, Wheatstone was speechless for a while.

After a long time, he stammered, “Ar…

Arthur, you…

did you have a change of heart?”

Arthur slowly nodded, “Yes, I feel that I hope you can forgive my past mistakes.

Charles, I’m sorry.

But also understand that the London Police Intelligence Bureau is a newly established organization, so there are definitely flaws in how it cares for its employees’ emotions.”

“No…” Wheatstone was somewhat moved, “Arthur, that means I had you wrong before.

Mr.

Dickens always told me you were a good person, but I never believed it.

I even secretly cursed you as a scoundrel; it seems I was the one who was wrong.”

“Really?”

Arthur’s smile grew brighter, “Charles, I’m honored to inform you that, to cater to your personal emotions, the bureau has decided to specially assign you a little room, absolutely isolated, absolutely undisturbed, except for your three meals a day, you won’t see anyone else there.

I’m looking out for you, aren’t I?

Of course, such rooms are not abundant in the bureau, as you know, many people in London apply for such single rooms, so I can only give you a week of residence time, after that you’ll need to move out, next time you want to stay you’d better apply in advance, or maybe get into a fight on the street or something.”

“Hmm?” Wheatstone frowned, noticing something subtle in the conversation, “What…

what kind of room are you talking about?”

Arthur did not answer his question.

Instead, he just gently tapped on the table.

Tom and Tony, already waiting outside the door, opened it and saluted, “Chief!”

Wheatstone stood up in a panic, “What…

what are you going to do?

I just made a contribution to the bureau, how can you treat me like this?”

“Charles, don’t get excited, the bureau’s management is always humane.

Your room is custom-made, just like Mr.

Riddle’s perfume,” Arthur raised his hand to calm him down, but just as Wheatstone was settled, he heard him speak again.

“Take Mr.

Wheatstone to the bureau’s welfare room, he will temporarily stay there until Congressman Bernie Harrison’s case is over.

By the way, set his meal standard a bit higher; deduct any extra cost from my salary.

Since Mr.

Wheatstone is staying there through my personal connection, as a leader, I shouldn’t misuse the bureau’s funds, should I?”