Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 168 - 157 Family Discord

Chapter 168: Chapter 157 Family Discord

They entered in batches, not taking the same flight, and Luca also followed, but he operated alone.

It seemed that the gun could not be brought along.

The precious gun, obtained through countless efforts, eventually became useless because it couldn’t be taken on the plane, a truly frustrating feeling.

Li Jie’s first mission was to a major scene, and he was not timid at all, rather, he was excited to join.

Gao Yi only brought one weapon, the Berserker Lucy.

Before leaving, they first obtained documents. The Red and Blue Group’s efficiency was high, and Lucy and Feng Biao had already acquired United States identities before departure, though false with real photos and fingerprints. Apart from some minor hurdles selecting an identity due to Lucy’s striking beauty, everything went smoothly.

Their destination was Abu Dhabi.

Harold was detained in Riyadh, but Gao Yi’s team often traveled through Abu Dhabi on their trips to Saudi because despite the longer distance from Dammam City, the flight operations were more convenient there. Most importantly, Abu Dhabi housed a United States Air Force Base.

Now, Gao Yi and his team first reached Abu Dhabi and from there, they would enter Saudi and travel by land to Riyadh. This was because flying directly to Riyadh involved more stringent immigration checks compared to traveling by road.

Harold’s butler couldn’t be touched; though not arrested, it was likely that National Intelligence Bureau agents were monitoring him. Hence, Gao Yi and his team had to make their way to Riyadh on their own.

Disguises were necessary. Making Lucy less attractive to decrease her beauty was essential, while Gao Yi disguised himself as a middle-aged man, considerably different from his last meeting with Abdulla. Meeting Abdulla’s face might risk recognition, but entering the country would pose no issue.

They still drove themselves, only this time instead of a Bentley, they had to settle for a Toyota.

Luca arrived first as he took a direct flight to Riyadh, so he was the first to arrive.

Upon arrival, he rented a car, found a base, and attempted to establish a safe house, albeit temporary. Although not a combatant, his tasks were numerous and critical.

Six hours after Luca’s arrival, and 28 hours later, Gao Yi and Lucy reached Riyadh as well.

Riyadh being a large city had many hotels. To avoid the spies from the National Intelligence Bureau as much as possible, Luca chose an ordinary four-star hotel.

"The time is too tight; I couldn’t find a residential house as our base. I booked five rooms in this hotel, two at the Hilton Hotel, four at the Windham Hotel, three at the Sheraton, and took over a small family-run hotel," Luca said, pulling out a stack of room cards, each marked with a room number and address. He selected a few and handed them to Gao Yi, whispering, "No arrangements have been made, all the rooms are just for temporary lodging."

Gao Yi carefully looked over the room cards before putting them into his pocket.

"Have you contacted the butler?"

"No, we need a safe place for the meeting, and I believe it’s best not to meet if it’s possible to handle matters without meeting. There is a strong possibility that he is under surveillance."

Gao Yi also felt it was risky to meet the butler, but many things couldn’t be discussed without a meeting.

The most troublesome part was the lack of time.

It wasn’t that Gao Yi’s team was out of time, but Harold was running out of time, as he could be executed at any moment.

With time being tight, they had to take some risks. After pondering for a moment, Gao Yi said, "I’ll contact the butler and meet him. You continue looking for a safe house."

As this was a life-threatening major operation which could leave no room for escape once exposed, even a temporary shelter to avoid pursuit was crucial at this moment.

Even the usually stingy Luca had booked so many hotel rooms extravagantly, just to ensure they had a place to hide if necessary, even if they could only stay for half an hour.

Luca lowered his voice, "Our operation to save Harold isn’t just to satisfy your righteousness; it’s also a risky investment for the future. So, absolutely do not take excessive risks, especially not with your life!"

"I understand," Gao Yi replied.

Gao Yi wanted to save Harold but was not prepared to exchange his life for Harold’s.

Despite the hasty and haphazard nature of the rescue operation, Gao Yi felt that as long as he did his humanly best, he would have done right by Harold.

Gao Yi took out a newly purchased mobile phone and dialed the butler, keeping his voice low on the call, "I’m here. Where are you? Can we meet safely?"

"You really came?" The butler sounded very surprised; clearly, he had not believed someone would genuinely attempt to rescue Harold, who was in dire straits.

After expressing his astonishment, the butler quickly said, "I’m at my own house."

Gao Yi almost burst out swearing. At his own house, he still needed to know where the butler lived.

The butler whispered, "Don’t come to find me; let me come to you instead. I’m concerned I’m being watched, so our meeting must ensure safety. It’s best if it’s in a place that wouldn’t raise suspicions."

"Where?"

"The bank! I’ve been going to the bank daily lately as I’m transferring my assets. So, going to the bank now shouldn’t draw much attention. Let’s meet at JPMorgan Chase Bank. I have a fund of over one million US Dollars there to liquidate; it shouldn’t be too dangerous to meet there."

Gao Yi thought the butler’s suggestion was excellent.

"Specific location."

"The JPMorgan Chase Bank near the corkscrew building, you set the time."

"Now, I can be there in fifteen minutes."

Gao Yi hung up the call and told Luca, "Luca, keep watch outside the bank. If I’m ambushed, contact Grins to find a way to rescue me. I shouldn’t face any life-threatening danger as we haven’t acted yet."

Luca nodded.

Gao Yi turned to Lucy, "You wait here. If Luca informs you of danger, leave on your own and head directly to the United States. You’re not the kind of person who can operate alone. Don’t do anything."

Lucy, having no intention of following Gao Yi, nodded and said, "Okay."

"If the butler betrays me, then there’s no chance we can rescue ’big brother.’ So, have Lin Xianghua and the others leave too."

Luca whispered, "Understood, we will withdraw directly and then spend money, even if it means buying Grins’ full effort to save you."

As for a specific plan, there actually wasn’t one.

Plans can’t keep up with changes, so it’s better not to have any plans at all, and thus, no matter how big the changes are, they won’t impact the plan.

The strategy was simply to beat technique with no technique.

Gao Yi drove himself, following the navigation towards the JPMorgan Chase Bank in Riyadh.

It was easy to locate. After driving around the bank entrance, Gao Yi found a place to park and casually entered the bank like someone going about their business.

JPMorgan Chase wasn’t conducting savings services in Riyadh but investment services instead. The bank’s private client services mainly provided wealth management, such as investment portfolios and overseas funds.

Such banks aren’t usually crowded, so when Gao Yi entered, a caucasian employee approached him politely, "Hello sir, how may I assist you?"

It was Gao Yi’s first time in such a bank.

Gao Yi glanced around and didn’t spot the butler. He, therefore, said in a deep voice, "I’m waiting for a friend who will give me investment advice. I’d like to decide on the business after he arrives."

"Right this way, please."

The client waiting area had a round table and four extremely comfortable sofas. There were no further inquiries, no doubts or intentions to drive Gao Yi away.

Being led to an empty waiting area, the bank staff also brought coffee and disappeared promptly after delivering it—neither too indifferent nor overly enthusiastic, letting Gao Yi experience what one might call elite service in a wealthy country.

Gao Yi had nearly finished his first cup of coffee when the butler arrived.

Dressed in a long robe, though looking a bit haggard, the butler began searching for Gao Yi immediately upon entering. It was only after Gao Yi extended his hand that the butler walked over swiftly, appearing surprised.

"Why not go to the VIP lounge?"

The butler’s first remark felt entirely out of touch with reality, but he didn’t continue and, changing the subject, whispered, "It’s also good out here. Let’s talk."

Waving off the approaching bank staff, the butler lowered his voice, "What do you plan to do?"

"What help can you offer?"

The butler hesitated for a moment and whispered back, "What do you need?"

"Do you have guns?"

"No, I honestly can’t provide those right now. To be frank, I dare not get involved with such things currently, as I might end up having to die with my master. There are many guns at the master’s residence, but I can’t guarantee whether Madam is willing to rescue the master."

The butler kept referring to "master" quite fluently, and for some reason, Gao Yi thought of Lucy.

How could he be distracted at such a time? Gao Yi sighed and asked, "Why wouldn’t Madam want to save ’big brother’? Aren’t they united?"

The butler spread his hands helplessly, "The master has four wives, one in the UK, one in Dubai, and two others living with the master in Riyadh. But the Madam is Zahed Family’s eldest daughter; even if the master is executed, she could safely return to her own family. So, I suspect she might not take the risk."

Gao Yi was silent for a moment then said, "Let Madam contact them, offer all her assets in exchange for big brother’s life. Would that work?"

The butler whispered back, "That won’t work, because they can simply take it themselves."

Gao Yi felt a headache coming on, pondered for a moment, and finally resignedly said, "Well, you still talk to Madam. Maybe she is willing to save big brother. These things, you never know until you try."

"I think, based on what I know, the chances aren’t great, and it likely could expose [us]."

If there was going to be an exposure, it would be the butler’s exposure, not Gao Yi’s. So, Gao Yi said nothing and just looked at the butler.

After hesitating and stammering a few words while making eye contact with Gao Yi, the butler finally sighed, "Alright, since you are willing to take the risk, I really can’t back down at this moment. I’ll speak to Madam. I won’t mention you all, um, let me try!"