Chapter 714

Chapter 714

After Sophia, Sabrina, and the others returned to the manor, I went with Ronnie to the Elite Alliance headquarters to find Gilbert.

Even though Gilbert had already handed over the position of Elite Alliance leader to me, he still had a lot of loose ends to tie up, so he was still in the leader's office.

The entire Elite Alliance headquarters building was heavily guarded, practically impenetrable, with countless protective shields in place.

Gilbert knew a lot about the tactics of the New World Alliance and was aware of their strong ability to infiltrate.

"Leader!"

"Greetings, Leader!"

The Elite Alliance warriors at the entrance saluted me, their faces full of respect and admiration.

I nodded and quickly entered the building.

Chief Leader Harvey's office door was open. Inside, several representatives from different families were sitting around Gilbert, waiting for our news. Among them was Francis, who had once questioned my appointment as the new leader.

He was the spokesperson for the Vasquez family and had objected to me becoming the Elite Alliance leader at such a young age. He believed that even though I had made great contributions to the Alliance and had strong abilities, I lacked the experience to unite all the families in the Alliance.

My eyes briefly met Francis's before I quickly looked away.

"James!" Gilbert hurried over, grabbing both of my hands, his eyes filled with excitement, "Jack already called me and said you successfully got the lab samples and data! Amazing! As long as we destroy these samples and data, the New World Alliance won't be able to control us anymore! You've done another great deed for the Elite Alliance! If you're not fit to be the leader, then who is?"

Gilbert's last sentence was clearly meant for Francis. I noticed an extremely awkward expression on Francis's face.

I gestured to Ronnie to hand the suitcase we brought to Gilbert, "The Elite Alliance lab samples and data are all in here!"

Gilbert held the suitcase that determined the fate of the Elite Alliance, his emotions complex. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

After about a minute of silence, Gilbert spoke in an excited voice, "We've been controlled by the New World Alliance for hundreds of years because of what's in this suitcase! Now, we can finally break free from their control and stop being their puppets!"

Gilbert scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Francis.

"Shouldn't we all bow to James to show our gratitude?"

Some of the board members stood up and joined Gilbert.

Francis, with no other choice, also stood beside Gilbert.

I quickly tried to stop them, "I'm now the Elite Alliance leader and Chief Leader Harvey's future son-in-law. It's my duty to give everything for the Alliance. You don't need to..."

But Gilbert and the other board members had already bowed to me, lowering their heads for three seconds. I didn't know how to react.

"James, you've given us freedom. It's only right for us to thank you!" Gilbert looked up at me, his eyes full of gratitude and relief. He knew he hadn't misjudged me!

Then, Gilbert invited me to sit down with the other board members around the table.

"Even though we paid a heavy price to get back the lab samples and data, I..." I really didn't want to ruin Gilbert and the others' mood.

Gilbert sensed something and immediately asked with concern, "James, if there's something on your mind, just say it!"

I hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"There's a big boss behind the New World Alliance, known as the Mainframe. He's not only directing the New World Alliance to study the Elite Alliance but also my clan. I've been under his observation all along!"

Gilbert was shocked, "You've been implanted with the Mind Control Elixir by this Mainframe too?"

I shook my head, "I'm not sure if he's implanted anything in me, but if he has, it's definitely something stronger than the Mind Control Elixir! What's scary is that the Control Spirit Crystal is the key to his research on me! I rushed back here partly to hand over the lab data and samples to you, and partly to discuss with you all how we should deal with this Mainframe next."

The excitement on Gilbert's face froze. The atmosphere in the office, which had been filled with relief and gratitude, suddenly turned ice-cold.

The smiles on several board members' faces stiffened, their eyes filled with disbelief and a shadow of fear that had just been lifted now returning.

"Mainframe?" Gilbert repeated the word, his voice dry, "A hidden force even stronger than the New World Alliance? Studying your clan?"

He instinctively looked at me, his expression complicated. There was worry for my situation, but also a deep fear of this unknown, monstrous threat.

He had just escaped being a puppet, only to realize that the one pulling the strings might be an even bigger, colder entity.

"This can't be!" A sharp shout broke the silence.

Francis stood up abruptly, his face pale, his eyes burning with doubt and a sense of betrayal.

"Leader! We just bowed to thank you for bringing us freedom! And now you're telling us that this so-called freedom is just jumping from one cage into a bigger, scarier one? Even you yourself are a subject of study?"

His gaze was sharp as a knife, sweeping over me and then Gilbert.

"Chief Leader Harvey! And all the board members! Don't you think this is ridiculous? A 'Mainframe' who can control the New World Alliance and study James's clan? Where's the proof? Besides James's word! We paid a huge price to get these samples and data, just saw a glimmer of freedom, and now you drop this shocking, morale-shaking news! How do we explain this to the families of those who sacrificed? How do we explain this to the entire Elite Alliance?"

Francis's questions hit hard, echoing in the quiet office.

Several board members who already had doubts about my young age and lack of experience started to waver, their eyes showing uncertainty and unease.

They wanted stability, a clear escape from control, not an even deeper, incomprehensible ultimate threat.

Gilbert's brows were tightly furrowed.

He trusted me, but Francis's questions also represented the voice of a significant portion of the higher-ups, especially the conservative faction.

He looked at me and said in a deep voice, "James, Francis's concerns aren't unreasonable. This matter is critical, tied to the survival of the entire Alliance and the stability of our people. You say the Mainframe is using the Control Spirit Crystal to study you and might have already made a move. Do you have solid proof? Or have you experienced something?"

Everyone's eyes focused on me. Francis, in particular, looked at me with scrutiny and a barely hidden aggressiveness.

I took a deep breath, knowing I had to present strong evidence. Otherwise, internal division would destroy the Elite Alliance even before the Mainframe's threat could.

I turned to Ronnie, "Ronnie, get the recorder out. Play the footage and energy readings from the attack we faced on our way back."