Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 1024 - 1029: Unraveling the Cocoon

Chapter 1024: Chapter 1029: Unraveling the Cocoon

The two seemed to have nothing left to say to each other.

Yang Yi, holding the bottle of perfume, scrutinized it for a long while before suddenly asking, "Can you tell me the principle behind this perfume?"

Ferguson glanced at Yang Yi, then said with an understanding tone, "I’m not very clear on the principle, but I know this perfume is certainly not ordinary; it makes use of genetic technology, yes, genetic technology."

"Genetic technology? For making perfume... to seduce women?"

Ferguson shook his head and said, "That’s what it’s said to be. All human genetics are more or less the same, right? But some people are born with genetic defects, which is why hereditary diseases exist. Uh, how is it said again, let me think, oh, if you could obtain the target’s genetics, you could design a scent that triggers their deepest desires, desires that are instinctual. But if you don’t have the specific target’s genetics, then you use something broad-spectrum... Yes, broad-spectrum, that’s the word. However, the effect isn’t as good as when it’s targeted."

Yang Yi let out a sigh and said, "This thing sounds quite powerful, but I have a question. If I were to use it, wouldn’t it mean everyone around me would be seduced?"

"Yes, but it takes a certain amount of time, requiring a specific concentration in the air. So, to achieve the best effect, it’s best used when it’s just two people present."

Several unspeakable thoughts flashed through Yang Yi’s mind.

Ferguson smiled ambiguously, "Do you know how expensive this thing is?"

"How expensive?"

"Two bottles, valued at six million US dollars. Believe me, there’s no perfume more expensive than this in the world."

Yang Yi’s hands indeed trembled slightly.

Ferguson made a gesture for Yang Yi to take a sniff, and then he laughed, "It’s called perfume, but it actually has hardly any scent, very faint. It will make women fall for your smell. However, to achieve sufficient concentration and duration, you need to use at least half a bottle each time, at least."

Yang Yi swallowed, "Two bottles for six million?"

"Yes."

"One bottle three million, in US dollars, and each use costs at least one and a half million dollars."

"Yes."

Yang Yi let out a sigh, "It’s really expensive."

Ferguson shrugged, "Because production costs are extremely high, so it’s very difficult to get approval to use this. Everyone wants to try it, all being men, you know. Therefore, unless there’s an extremely clear mission, logistics would simply not approve it. But this time, I didn’t even bring it up, and logistics had it prepared. So, I have to say, you have a lot of clout."

Yang Yi put down the perfume. He felt it was a pity, how could it be so expensive and there be so little of it – even if it was stolen, it could only be used twice.

Ferguson’s gaze made Yang Yi feel embarrassed. He put the perfume back into the box and whispered, "Let’s continue, I need to keep analyzing Petra’s personality."

Though his eyes were on the computer, his mind wasn’t on the task at hand. Yang Yi, with thoughts of Kate and Xiao Ran flitting through his mind, quickly became somewhat frustrated.

Just then, Yang Yi’s phone rang. He answered the call and heard Reggie’s elated voice, "This is Reggie, I am now reporting to you as ordered."

Swift indeed, truly swift.

Yang Yi gave out his address; Reggie would find the place on his own. What he needed to do was focus and then continue researching Petra’s background.

After a while, Yang Yi suddenly froze, his expression revealing a significant discovery. Ferguson couldn’t help but ask curiously, "What’s the matter? What did you find?"

Yang Yi exhaled, smiled, and said, "Last May, Petra had an expenditure of five hundred thousand dollars."

"What did she do?"

"She funded a website named ’UFO Research.’ Initially, it was just a forum for a few sci-fi buffs, mystics, and conspiracy theorists to entertain themselves, but the website was running out of server money. So, Petra funded the website, bought it, and paid for the server’s renewal."

Ferguson shrugged and said, "Oh, that confirms your judgment."

Yang Yi opened a web address on the computer and smiled, "Look, this website domain is among those Petra frequently visits. She has a commonly used username... right, that’s it."

Yang Yi burst into laughter, then pointed at the computer and said, "This woman, she likes researching aliens. She often posts some strange threads. But it seems..."

Ferguson cut in anxiously, "How so?"

"It seems like she’s making a lot of sense. Mm, not the kind of insane ramblings that would make people laugh after reading. Look at the threads she posts, she likes quoting various arguments that can bluff people, analyzing things in an organized and meticulous manner; hence, her articles come across as if they really are credible."

Ferguson shrugged, "Are you planning to utilize this hobby of hers?"

"Of course, any opportunity to get close to her, to move her, can’t be missed."

Ferguson laughed, "You start from the target’s psychological needs, I’m different; I only analyze the target’s movements, their scope of activities, and their habits. Psychological analysis, that’s not my thing; it’s the job for intelligence analysts."

Yang Yi said, "Let me see where Petra is now, hmm, she’s in New York."

"Started working yet?"

"Yes, but not officially. She works at a bank her family owns but seldom goes there."

Yang Yi started pondering, staring into space as he said, "How should I approach her?"

Ferguson said, "Check her current address and her daily routines first. Once you have that sorted, you can decide. If there’s some kind of cocktail party or event, wouldn’t that be the perfect chance to meet and get close to her? For a socialite like Petra, attending parties and gatherings is a part of everyday life."

"She just made a purchase at a luxury fashion store on Fifth Avenue. Let me see."

Yang Yi scrolled back through the information he had already looked at and pointed at a transaction record, "Here, she spent sixty-four thousand dollars at Chanel. That was the day before yesterday. So let’s keep looking, right, here too, twenty-one thousand dollars spent, a shoe store. If I remember correctly, they only sell high heels..."

"Although I don’t know what kind of clothes she bought, deliberately buying high heels, plus the expensive attire, usually indicates that she’s going to attend an important event. It would be great if we could find out what she bought."

Yang Yi smiled, "Yes, but it doesn’t matter too much. As long as we know that Petra has a habit of purchasing luxury goods, that’s enough for us. As for when she will attend parties and such, we will find out by keeping her under surveillance."

Ferguson nodded, "Yes, what we have to do next is straightforward: keep her under surveillance."

Yang Yi earnestly asked, "A question – how do you usually keep a well-protected target under surveillance?"