Chapter 813

Chapter 813: The KEY

The family had been greatly frightened. Those robbers perhaps didn’t want to make too much noise, or they might still want to keep the hen that lays the eggs. After taking what they wanted, they kept their promise and let Bob Boyce’s family go, quickly disappearing without a trace. Even the police, who had arrived later, expressed their helplessness against this group of chaotic criminals.

Bob’s wife, Lisa, stayed upstairs in the bedroom, comforting their three children until dawn.

Struck by such a blow, Bob sat in the living room, dejected, holding a hunting rifle and staring into space until Lin Mo knocked on the door.

"I’m really sorry! It must be Tiger Energy who hired these men. Those despicable guys, Mr. Morin, I’m afraid I can’t complete this deal now," Bob said, wiping away his tears. It seemed that this incident had hit him hard, leaving him so flustered that he almost faced a major crisis.

Lisa stood at the living room door, her eyes red and tears rolling down her cheeks. She pressed her hand tightly over her mouth to stifle any sounds that might scare the three children upstairs.

Those greedy individuals did not care about the inventor’s life; they only wanted to claim those great inventions for themselves and make a profit, even if it meant permanently cutting off future inventions.

This type of self-sabotage of human knowledge has often been seen in history. In China’s history, during the Song Dynasty, the inventor of clay movable type, Bi Sheng, faced numerous attempts on his life, primarily because a man named Xiao Xiang sold the clay movable type technology to foreigners for a small profit.

CIA agents Charlie Mitchell and Ivan Carter exchanged glances, remaining silent like dutiful bodyguards. Although Bob’s family’s situation was sympathetic, it was not within their jurisdiction, and they couldn’t express much.

The CIA could not take over the federal police’s duties.

"What a bunch of despicable guys!"

Lin Mo’s coffee cup emitted a terrifying creaking sound, leading everyone to suspect that it might shatter into pieces under the pressure at any moment.

It seemed that uncovering those who had stolen the Hydrogen-Oxygen Decomposition Tank technology would require considerable effort, particularly focusing on Tiger Energy.

Charlie Mitchell observed Morin, who sat in silence with a blank expression. He immediately grew concerned, realizing that this man was highly dangerous.

Despite their two days together, during which Morin had only taught a lesson to a Boeing surveillance agent right after arriving at the airport, he had maintained the unique gentleness and politeness typical of someone from the East, as if he posed no threat.

Yet it was undeniable that this man was like a human mech.

According to a brief report received from his superiors, did a fighter pilot really need such immense strength? Would they even swing a massive sword while engaging in close combat from their fighter jets?

Charlie saw the same concern in his colleague Ivan Carter’s eyes. He suddenly spoke: "Mr. Morin, I must remind you that certain illegal actions cannot be taken; the government will not permit it."

"I know!"

Lin Mo released his grip and gently placed the cup on the table without spilling a drop of coffee, seeming perfectly intact, contrary to what others might have imagined.

Even without the CIA’s warning, he may not have resorted to violence directly. After all, this was not China; the American government already had him under strict watch, so how could he act recklessly?

However, in the capitalism-driven world where money reigns supreme, numerous other methods could be pursued. There were many people willing to risk their lives for money.

"Mr. Morin, I…" Bob suddenly broke the silence in the living room, causing everyone to turn their attention to him.

Bob’s gaze swept across the two CIA agents.

Lin Mo sensed his distrust and said, "Mr. Boyce, please rest assured. These gentlemen are absolutely reliable and will not leak a word. You can speak freely here."

Just as Lin Mo stated, CIA agents undergo special counter-interrogation training; their lips are tightly sealed. Moreover, even if they wanted to find out something, there are various ways to obtain the information they seek. Keeping secrets is futile.

Bob’s concern was unfounded. In many aspects, agents are far more professional and trustworthy than bodyguards.

Bob seemed to make a determination as he spoke: "Alright, Mr. Morin, the technology verification sample they took is indeed real and in perfect condition. It can function normally and efficiently separate hydrogen and oxygen as described. However, that sample alone cannot be replicated. To create a second unit or to produce them in bulk, detailed technical data is essential. Even though they took all the documents…"

He adjusted his black-framed glasses but didn’t continue, yet everyone understood what he left unsaid.

This plump Bearded Squad Leader was not entirely clueless about mathematics and physics; he still had a bit of wit, at least he wasn’t hopeless.

Lin Mo and the two agents sat up straight, their eyes shining as they waited for this Bearded Squad Leader to reveal the truth.

"Lisa!" Bob turned his head, calling to his wife, who looked like she’d become a tearful mess. He waved her over and said, looking at his suffering partner, "Please bring little Joy down."

"Yes!" Lisa nodded, suppressing her sadness, and hurried upstairs.

Before long, a child of about five or six, with big eyes, appeared in front of Lin Mo and the others.

"Come here, my little Joy!"

Bob placed his youngest child on his lap and gently unbuttoned his son’s collar, pulling out a necklace.

The pendant sparkled with silver light, but instead of the common cross, it was a key-shaped charm.

Bob removed the charm and handed it to Lin Mo, saying, "I’m sorry. Although I cannot provide you with all the technology to complete our transaction, I believe you will need this."

Lin Mo took the "key" and examined it closely, discovering it was a USB drive with a claimed capacity of 32GB.

He plugged the USB drive directly into the watch’s USB interface. The gold giant dragon immediately powered up and confirmed that there were indeed incomplete physical technical documents totaling nearly ten gigabytes, just as Bob had mentioned.

"This is part of the core conversion model formula from the technical data. Perhaps it’s God’s will; I cut out a portion of the original technical data and placed it in here. Although the separation tank appears simple, it requires extremely complex physical data support."

After handing over the USB drive, Bob let out a long sigh of relief, looking apologetically at Lin Mo for making his friend travel so far for nothing. As a passionate enthusiast, his dream had been shattered. Regardless of whether Lin Mo came today, he would move far away from this city with his family, even seeking permanent refuge abroad.

Lin Mo nodded and said clearly, "Thank you, Bob. You are a man of your word."

Suddenly, he took out a checkbook from his pocket and began to fill it out right on the coffee table, saying while writing, "As a man of your word, you deserve the corresponding respect."

In a short while, a check was handed over to a surprised Bob.

Bob had never thought about taking money; he was just unwilling to see Tiger Energy use such despicable means to seize the energy technology he had worked so hard to develop, while he couldn’t protect the remaining core key data. It was better to return a favor and gift part of the core technology to such a sincere buyer, treating it as a memento.

After all, no one would get everything in the end; Bob was ready to let go.

Once this key-shaped USB drive was given away, Tiger Energy could no longer access the complete data. It was clear that anyone who could present nearly thirty million dollars wouldn’t be easy to tangle with, so let the people from Tiger Energy deal with their tears.

"This, this…" Bob saw the amount on the check and couldn’t help but swallow hard. One million dollars was just enough to relieve his family from the pressing debt being demanded by the bank.

"Get out of here as soon as possible, as far away as you can, and don’t let Tiger Energy find you. If I can obtain the remaining items, I will pay you the rest of the money. Rest assured, our transaction isn’t over yet."

Lin Mo smiled and pressed the check into Bob’s hands.

Bob was giving what he needed; in fairness and sincerity, Lin Mo would also provide what was needed.

The Dragon Knight wished to form a good connection with an excellent scientist. While it seemed Bob was unloading a burden and trouble onto him, for the Dragon Knight, it was also an opportunity.

Bob was stunned; he never expected Lin Mo would say this. It was more than just integrity; it was akin to the kindness of rescuing someone from peril. However, he truly needed the money, and after a moment of hesitation, he didn’t refuse anymore.

"Thank you!"

Bob’s tone was filled with gratitude and even appreciation.

Lin Mo could have given him nothing instead, and with his strength, he could have dealt with Tiger Energy and obtained all the data without regarding Bob, the inventor.

Bob had considered whether Morin was in cahoots with Tiger Energy, but upon seeing Lin Mo come to him, he knew that it was impossible.

He had never heard of anyone colluding and then coming back for a new transaction; that defied logic.

Lin Mo didn’t even test whether Bob would hold back any of his information; instead, Bob voluntarily handed over the items.

If they were partners, how would they explain this one million dollars?

Tiger Energy had initially offered only two hundred thousand dollars, not a cent more.

"In the future, if you need anything, feel free to contact me; I will do my utmost!"

Faced with Lin Mo’s genuine sincerity, Bob accepted this friendship.