She is a natural disaster.

Chapter 2 A Game Within a Game

Lawrence was not only a priest at the church, but also a veteran of the Gloria Bureau of Anomalies.

Working two jobs for a very long time is quite impressive; one person is incredibly hardworking.

The Bureau of Anomalies – you can tell what they do just from the name.

Any unusual events occurring within Gloria are handled by this agency, including those involving the Transcendent.

This is why Anastasia chose to work with Father Lawrence; she wanted to infiltrate the Bureau of Investigation and find answers in their archives.

Anastasia thought that continuing to work piecemeal on her own was not a solution; it would be better to rely on the Bureau of Investigation, which was a fairly sturdy organization, and try a different approach and strategy.

One wanted to join the Bureau of Investigation and accept recruitment, while the other desperately needed fresh blood and someone to handle thorny issues. Naturally, the two hit it off and ended up working together... cough cough, something like that.

However, joining the Bureau of Investigation is not an easy task, and there are many obstacles behind it.

First, Anastasia's identity and background are unclear; second, there are voices within the Bureau of Investigation opposing Father Lawrence.

Fortunately, the old man still had some influence. With his endorsement, Anastasia got the opportunity to join the Bureau of Investigation, provided she passed the assessment.

To some extent, the Gloria Bureau of Anomalies is essentially using Anastasia Angel's labor for free; she has only gained the opportunity to join, and whether she can pass the assessment is still unknown.

In his apartment at midnight, Father Lawrence leaned against the window, gazing intently at the night outside.

He thought for a moment and then said, "Both. Some people don't want to see me back in the spotlight, while others think you're difficult to control and manipulate."

"What do they want?" Anastasia stood up and walked towards the cupboard. "Are they going to fail my test, or disqualify me outright?"

As she spoke, she took half a bottle of whiskey and two glasses from the cupboard.

"Want a drink?" Anastasia picked up the glass and swirled it.

"No, thank you." Father Lawrence waved his hand. "They won't do that. They've prepared a very lucrative commission for you."

"Really?" Anastasia put the glass back in the cupboard, took the half-empty bottle of whiskey, and walked back to the sofa. "If those people are really like you say, I don't think they would be so kind."

Father Lawrence nodded and said, "Of course they're not that kind. The higher the commission, the more dangerous it usually is. They're probably trying to discourage you—"

"Another possibility is that they want to use someone else to kill me," Anastasia said. "That way, I won't be able to get into the FBI, and I won't even be able to get revenge."

Father Lawrence nodded again; he thought so too, and even more.

Anastasia took a sip of whiskey without a care in the world, drinking it neat without ice or water.

"And you—"

Anastasia pointed at Father Lawrence rudely.

"My good priest, if I die in this commission, you will not avenge me."

“You’re right,” Father Lawrence said. “Not only will I not avenge you, I will also act as if nothing ever happened.”

It sounds cold-blooded, but that's the truth.

The two had just established a working relationship and there was no deep affection between them.

If Anastasia had died in the commission, Father Lawrence's death would have been considered a testament to his deep affection and loyalty.

"That's why they dare to trip you up and oppose you at every turn, because they know you won't flip the table no matter what."

Anastasia looked at Father Lawrence standing by the window and continued, "Overturning a table is actually a very simple thing to do, and there are no serious consequences, but it is very effective and can solve a lot of problems."

Flipping a table requires not only sufficient ability, but also tremendous courage.

Father Lawrence didn't lack the ability to overturn the table; what he lacked was the courage to do so. He had too many concerns.

"I certainly won't flip the table," Father Lawrence said. "So my suggestion is to lay low for now, and we can think of other ways to get you into the Bureau of Investigation."

"Why should I avoid the limelight?" Anastasia said. "Life is about paving your own way through mountains and building bridges over rivers. There's no reason to run away from every little difficulty."

This time, Father Lawrence did not avoid his gaze, even though Anastasia's nightgown was rather thin.

Father Lawrence believed that the eyes of men do not lie.

"Aren't you afraid they'll stab you in the back?" Father Lawrence asked. "This is a carefully prepared commission for them."

It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark, especially a knife from behind, which is impossible to defend against.

"I'm scared, of course I'm scared," Anastasia said. "But what can I do if I'm scared? Does being scared of the bugs stop me from farming?"

Father Lawrence looked away and said, "Really, won't you reconsider my suggestion? This temporary setback is for the sake of a longer journey. We still have other opportunities."

"My good priest, I have already waited three months in vain, and I don't want to wait another three months in vain," Anastasia said firmly. "Instead of repeatedly emphasizing how dangerous the commission is, let's get to the point and talk about the specifics of the commission."

Fear is a fear in one's heart, but one must be bold.

Anastasia's decision to accept the commission was a very risky one.

"Very well," Father Lawrence sighed, "Since you're so determined—"

"Don't give me that, you old geezer. You're probably just hoping I'll take this job." Anastasia directly exposed Father Lawrence's feigned retreat.

Anastasia wasn't exceptionally intelligent, but she had a keen eye and wouldn't be sold out while still counting the money for her seller.

She continued, "If I had agreed to your suggestion, our cooperation would probably have come to an end."

A person who is hesitant and fearful of death is not suitable to be a business partner.

"Our partnership will continue until you officially join the Bureau of Investigation," Father Lawrence said. "That was agreed upon beforehand, and I will not go back on my word."

However, their collaboration ended there.

Father Lawrence needed someone to stir up the stagnant waters of the Bureau of Investigation, a place rife with corruption, and such a person was destined to be neither timid nor cowardly.

The previous commissions given to Anastasia were just minor tasks; the real test is tonight, with this extremely lucrative commission.

"Do you know Montague?" Father Lawrence asked.

Anastasia felt a strange sense of familiarity with the combination of Lawrence and Montague, but she couldn't quite place why.

"I know," Anastasia replied, "if you're referring to that famous tycoon, Bill Montagu."

"It is him, but it is not him," Father Lawrence said. "The commission comes from Bill, but the person you are protecting is his son."

Anastasia took a deep breath. She didn't like bodyguard-type assignments. Humans were troublesome creatures, and mission targets with independent thoughts would cause unnecessary trouble.

"Is it too late for me to refuse now?"

"It's too late, Miss Angel."

"Alright, you can continue," Anastasia said. "I hope Mr. Montague is an obedient child."

"I'm not sure of your age, but I think Mr. Montague Jr. is a bit older than you. He just graduated from the Gloria Municipal Economics Institute this year."

"You paid to get in?" Anastasia asked. "I've heard that Bill Montagu has a particular fondness for donating to academic institutions."

"No, Mike got in on his own merit," Father Lawrence said. "Objectively speaking, Mike Montague is an outstanding man, handsome and knowledgeable."

Anastasia listened, but something felt off. She asked, "What if it's not objective?"

"Michael Montague is the finest young man I've ever met," Father Lawrence said, puffing out his chest as if with pride. "I've watched this boy grow up."

"So, you tricked those people in the Investigation Bureau?" Anastasia said. "This commission was actually prepared by you."

“You can’t say that,” Father Lawrence waved his hand. “I was just using this commission to achieve my own goals.”

Anastasia held up one finger to Father Lawrence, making the universally accepted gesture, indicating that he was welcome and deserved it.

"I've known Bill for many years. Back then, Bill was just a young kid, and I wasn't as old as I am now."

Father Lawrence spoke of his relationship with Bill Montague, whom he had known for many years and was very close to. Bill's wife was someone he met through Father Lawrence.

Strangely, few people knew that the two had a friendship that spanned thirty years, and they almost never interacted publicly.

To outsiders, Father Lawrence and the well-known billionaire Bill Montagu were strangers who did not know each other.

Anastasia became suspicious. She felt that the old man had started planning this more than 30 years ago, but it was definitely not to trick the investigation bureau more than 30 years later. There must be a secret hidden in it.

"Two days ago, Bill suddenly contacted me and said he had gotten into big trouble recently and that he and Mike were in danger."

Two days ago, Anastasia was having a great time with Jacob at the White Antlers Tavern.

"What's the reason?" Anastasia asked. "Touching Montagu isn't an easy task."

A wealthy businessman of Bill Montagu's stature would certainly have security forces at his disposal, and given his long-standing relationship with Father Lawrence, he might also possess a hidden force.

Anastasia always felt that there was something going on between the two of them, otherwise they wouldn't need to pretend not to know each other in public.

"The reason is still uncertain," Father Lawrence said. "Bill speculates that he may have touched someone else's cake, a cake that shouldn't be touched."

Is it business competition?

Anastasia's first thought was business competition, but she also felt that business competition shouldn't lead to the downfall of the entire Montagu family.

Furthermore, isn't business competition all about pouring hot water on your rival's money tree?

Father Lawrence continued, "For twenty years, Bill has been secretly researching anomalies, which is why he frequently donates to academic institutions."

At this moment, Anastasia had even less reason to refuse the request, especially since she had never intended to refuse in the first place.

Bill Montague is a well-known wealthy businessman who is also secretly researching mutations. This matter must be more complex than it seems, and we might even discover clues related to him.

Whether it's a scheme within a scheme, or a trap within a trap, no matter who's involved behind the scenes, or what tricks the Bureau of Investigation has played, Anastasia is determined to go through with it and see what really happened.