Chapter 333 Reaching Cooperation
On the other side, Sophia followed Thaddeus to his office.
Thaddeus handed Sophia the information his people had investigated. "This should be the real reason you came to see me."
Sophia took the file and glanced through it. Just as she'd guessed, Thaddeus had already sent people to investigate the White family.
Although the White family had offended quite a few people in business, those people had always been wary of the White family's power and wouldn't target them so openly.
The only possibility was the "GeneCipher Society."
Sophia's eyes curved with a smile, her long curled lashes blinking as she asked, "So, will you help or not?"
"Give me a reason to help you." Thaddeus sat across from Sophia, his fingers tapping casually on the desk, seemingly lost in thought.
"Isn't what you've investigated enough? Many people think GeneCipher Society was destroyed nineteen years ago, but as you know, they came back two years ago, and many children still haven't been found."
"This isn't just about the White family—it involves many lives, and now it's even connected to Celestria."
Thaddeus's expression grew serious, but he still didn't give in.
He pressed on, "Then why do you think they're targeting Wilford?"
Sophia didn't answer his question directly. Instead, she murmured, "This should be Wilford's last year in office, right?"
Her words struck like thunder in Thaddeus's mind.
A hint of shock crossed his usually composed face. "You mean...?"
"I didn't say anything. We'll have to wait until Wilford wakes up to know for sure."
Right now was the critical period for Celestria's election and transition. Who would want Wilford dead the most?
And according to his investigation, Elijah was currently in Celestria.
Thaddeus quickly regained his composure and said in a low voice, "This is no small matter. Don't let this information out for now."
"Of course. But since you got the information you wanted from me, shouldn't you return the favor?" Sophia leaned back lazily in her chair, looking at Thaddeus with an unhurried gaze.
Thaddeus couldn't help but laugh. "Did you plan all this from the start?"
Sophia looked back at him calmly. "I'm not that capable. If I were, I wouldn't be here."
What she wanted from the beginning was simply for her family to be safe, but there were always people causing trouble.
So she couldn't be blamed for being ruthless.
"If GeneCipher Society really has connections with Celestria's power players, even the White family and the Smith family combined might not be their match. That's why I need your help."
This was Sophia's real purpose in coming here to talk with Thaddeus.
Both the White family and the Smith family were primarily in business.
But GeneCipher Society—the fact that they could come back after seventeen years showed their backing was deeply entrenched.
She didn't dare gamble with her family's lives.
Thaddeus was silent for a long moment before speaking. "Go back for now. I need to think this through carefully."
Sophia wasn't surprised by his answer and got up to leave.
But before she'd taken two steps, she heard the person behind her ask, "I remember Benjamin fell into the sea two years ago? Where has he been these past two years?"
Sophia paused slightly, her lips slowly curving into a faint smile. "I know what you want to ask. Yes, he was indeed in GeneCipher Society for two years, but he would never do anything to hurt me or the White family."
"How can you be sure? I heard he was hypnotized. What if he can't control himself..."
"There's no 'what if'!"
Sophia's voice suddenly turned cold, her stance firmly protective of Finnley.
"He won't pose any threat to you, and he's never hurt anyone. From beginning to end, he's been the victim."
Thaddeus hadn't expected Sophia to react so strongly at the mention of Finnley, and he was momentarily stunned.
He softened his tone and explained, "Don't misunderstand. I just want to know more about the situation. After all, this is a serious matter."
Sophia took a deep breath to calm herself. "I came to you for cooperation, not to beg for your help. He's my bottom line. If you want this cooperation to continue, you shouldn't cross it."
"Alright, I'll be more careful in the future." Thaddeus's tone softened, as if coaxing a child.
In his eyes, Sophia was like a child.
On the surface she looked cold and proud, but deep down she was just a mischievous kid, especially when interrogating those people.
After chatting a bit more, they came out of the office.
When Sophia returned to the interrogation room entrance, she saw Finnley with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall.
His eyes were downcast, seemingly lost in thought.
Hearing footsteps, he slowly raised his head.
When his gaze met Sophia's, his eyes, which had been filled with coldness, instantly melted.
"Have you been waiting long? Let's go home." Sophia walked up to Finnley and took the initiative to hold his hand, pulling him toward the exit.
After the two left, Sidney asked curiously, "Thaddeus, what do you think of Sophia?"
"Thoughtful and bold—she's quite impressive." Thaddeus watched Sophia's departing figure with praise.
Sidney nodded in agreement. "I think so too."
Thaddeus raised an eyebrow. "You've taken a liking to Sophia? Well, you're out of luck—she's already married."
Teased like this, Sidney's face turned red. "Thaddeus, you know that's not what I meant. I just think it's a shame. She has real talent for criminal investigation. If she were properly trained, she'd definitely become an excellent asset."
Seeing Sidney's embarrassed expression, Thaddeus couldn't help but laugh heartily.
After laughing, Thaddeus sighed. "She is talented, but it's a shame..."
He could tell that Sophia's ambitions lay elsewhere, and she had great talent in medicine. If she devoted herself to it, she would surely create new heights for Novaria's medical field.
If Francis knew he wanted Sophia to go into criminal investigation, wouldn't he be furious?
Meanwhile, Sophia took Finnley away from the NSA and brought him to a restaurant for dinner.
All the dishes ordered were their favorites.
Finnley wasn't hungry and ate just a little before he was full, but Sophia ate heartily, looking completely carefree.
He found it both helpless and amusing, reaching over to take a plate of shrimp and skillfully peeling them.
Seeing Sophia eating happily, the corners of his lips couldn't help but curve upward.
"Eat slowly, no one's competing with you."
"I've decided—from now on, I'll have less contact with NSA people. It's too mentally exhausting."
Sophia hung her head, her cheeks puffed out from being stuffed with food, looking like a little hamster hoarding food.
She talked while eating, her words muffled and unclear.
Finnley watched quietly, feeling his hand wanting to pinch Sophia's cheeks again.