Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 511 - 490: None of Your Business

Chapter 511: Chapter 490: None of Your Business

Alexander could be said to have escorted Ludelins to the director’s office, or perhaps to have delivered him there under guard.

Ludelins had his own security detail and was accompanied by his assistant. When he was forcibly removed from the conference room, his gaze fell upon his assistant, and Alexander, after hesitating briefly, refrained from intervening to prevent Ludelins from communicating with others.

Ludelins gestured to his assistant, who was also waiting outside the conference room like Alexander, and his assistant immediately hurried over to stand before Ludelins.

"Someone is sabotaging me. I suspect it’s Yelinsay. Investigate immediately. The situation is not in my favor! But for now, I’m just avoiding conflict—the situation can still be salvaged."

Ludelins didn’t say much more. After speaking, he once again looked at Alexander.

Alexander’s decision was now pivotal. If he chose to detain Ludelins’ assistant as well, no one could blame him.

Likewise, if Alexander let the assistant go, it would show a particular leniency toward Ludelins, giving him an opportunity to turn the tide.

After a moment of hesitation, Alexander turned his head to look away.

This gesture clearly meant: leave quickly—I’ll act as though I didn’t see anything.

Ludelins whispered, "Thank you."

His assistant instantly hurried out, walking swiftly, but after just a few steps, he broke into a run.

This was the waiting area outside the conference room, crowded with people—several deputy directors had also brought their assistants along. These people observed Alexander’s actions, though it was unclear how many of them were already considering reporting it back to the conference room.

Alexander once again made an inviting gesture to Ludelins.

Ludelins and Alexander walked down the long corridor and arrived at the office marked with the director’s nameplate.

Of course, Ludelins had no chance of sitting in Nikolai’s chair; he could only sit in the waiting room outside, awaiting the director’s reception. Whether he could sit there with any peace of mind was uncertain, but he would have to wait regardless.

The director’s secretary was in the office. Unaware of the situation, he approached Alexander to inquire.

"Bring a cup of coffee for Deputy Director Ludelins. I’ll have one too. Thank you."

Alexander was polite. He sat down with Ludelins on the sofa, and the two men simply sat there in silence, neither speaking.

Earlier, Alexander had been quite rude to Ludelins, nearly taking his life. But now Alexander suddenly spoke up: "You’re only avoiding conflict—you’re not under house arrest, nor has there been any prohibition against you contacting the outside world."

Ludelins exhaled deeply and said softly, "There’s no need to contact anyone. I’m innocent; I’m not afraid of being investigated."

Alexander said nothing.

The coffee was delivered. The secretary glanced at the two men, clearly curious why they had come to Nikolai’s office but remained outside without entering, merely waiting in the adjoining room.

The secretary gave Alexander a curious look.

Alexander did not respond.

The secretary set the coffee down and left.

Ludelins suddenly said, "You have the ability to uncover the truth. I’m ninety percent certain Yelinsay is sabotaging me, but Bozarsky’s absence at this moment is highly suspicious."

Alexander spread his hands, offering no reply.

Ludelins continued softly, "I know you have many connections. I also know you have done many things. Help me investigate who is sabotaging me and clear my name. Whatever conditions you set, I will agree to them. At the very least, if I become director, you’ll soon be deputy director!"

Ludelins hadn’t given up hope; he was attempting to win Alexander over.

Alexander shook his head and said softly, "I’m sorry."

"You can name your terms. As long as I can fulfill them, I absolutely won’t refuse."

Alexander thought for a moment, then said to Ludelins, "Sir, there are things I need not say, and now is not the time for me to say such things. Just as you need not say such things at this moment, Deputy Director, our fates... have already been sealed."

"You believe you’ll inevitably be reassigned along with Director Nikolai’s imminent departure. No. If I can become director, trust me—I’ll fight to keep you. I’ll ensure you have a satisfactory position. If you help me, it’s still possible."

Alexander chuckled wryly, shook his head, and said, "This isn’t about whether I’m willing or not, sir. Don’t harbor illusions. In my view, the moment your opponents launched their offensive while you were unprepared, the outcome of this battle was already decided."

Ludelins’ face quickly fell.

Alexander shook his head; it wasn’t appropriate for him to say much more. What he had said was already pushing the limits.

And so Alexander remained silent.

Meanwhile, Ludelins’ expression grew increasingly dark, until, feeling overwhelmed, he stood up and paced the room for a few steps before raising his voice and shouting, "Suka Bule!"

Alexander still said nothing. After a moment of thought, he suddenly said, "Earlier... that wasn’t my intention. Given my position and the circumstances I’m facing, I wouldn’t say such things. I don’t know how this battle will end, but one thing is clear: I’ll be headed for Syria. Deputy Director, we bear no grudges."

Alexander’s point was simple: let bygones be bygones. Earlier, when the situation escalated and Ludelins’ status was upgraded to that of a suspect, it wasn’t Alexander’s decision—it wasn’t in his power to decide. He was merely a messenger. Regardless of who won or lost in the end, Alexander hoped Ludelins wouldn’t make life difficult for him.

After all, earlier, Alexander had let Ludelins’ assistant leave—repaying Ludelins with a favor, evening the score.

"Even the director..."

Ludelins left his sentence unfinished; he knew Alexander wouldn’t answer. Ludelins’ face grew even darker, and he sank powerlessly back into his seat.

He realized he wouldn’t become director, but keeping his position as deputy director was crucial. Now, his only hope was for the president to intervene.

However, the special envoy’s stance had already made clear that the president seemed to believe the footage evidence was authentic.

Overcome by a mix of anger and despair, Ludelins murmured, "Does this world have no place for someone who truly gets things done?"

Alexander’s expression remained impassive.

Ludelins looked at Alexander and said softly, "I know my people. They’re capable. But given the current circumstances, they can’t resolve this for me. You can help me, and I promise you, as long as you assist me and convince the president the footage is fabricated, I will ensure you remain at headquarters—even if the director retires, your status won’t change. At the very least, you’ll stay in Moscow! I swear on my honor!"

Alexander seemed slightly moved, but after a moment’s reflection, he quickly shook his head and said, "Sorry, I can’t."

"You can do it. As long as I expose the person targeting me—no, I won’t become director, and Yelinsay won’t either. Do you believe me?"

Alexander shrugged and said, "I believe you. But so what?"

"I know I’ll face a long investigation. I’ll lose the opportunity to compete for the director role. But at least I can hold onto my deputy director position. Someone still needs to get things done here—the president won’t abandon me."

Ludelins continued trying to persuade Alexander to help, as a lack of support meant far more than the risk of losing his deputy director position—it could cost him his life.

Alexander remained silent, though his expression subtly shifted.

Clearly, Alexander was tempted, but he had yet to make up his mind.

Ludelins went on, "Just help me do one thing. Just get the special envoy to say a few words to me, and I can get out of this predicament. While I’ll lose the director’s position, I can retain the deputy director role. Believe me."

Alexander whispered, "I have no way to get the envoy to meet you. I can’t even get back into the conference room."

"It’s definitely Yelinsay behind this. He’s the biggest beneficiary, so it must be him. But it’s also possible someone wants to take both me and Yelinsay down. Regardless, neither Yelinsay nor Bozarsky will become director!"

Ludelins was the first deputy director, Yelinsay the second, and Bozarsky the third.

Ludelins had been sabotaged. Now he was planning to self-destruct, dragging Yelinsay and Bozarsky down with him.

Alexander didn’t have to do anything for Ludelins’ goal to materialize.

Alexander cast a puzzled look at Ludelins.

Ludelins declared gravely, "Just make sure the envoy learns what’s happening here. Get him to look into my situation. That’s enough! I can keep my deputy director position. I can help you stay. I can even help you climb higher."

Alexander knew he shouldn’t say anything but couldn’t help responding: "Why do you think I would help you with this? The risks are substantial."

"Because you’re the only one. Whomever benefits, it doesn’t involve you. Whoever becomes director, you’ll still be a target for purging. So, helping me is helping yourself. Isn’t this easy to understand? You’re sharp—you should grasp this."

Alexander exhaled heavily and said, "True, whoever becomes director—it doesn’t concern me..."

"It does now. Go to the conference room, and before they make any decisions seriously detrimental to me, ensure the envoy sees me."

"I told you, I can’t even enter the conference room..."

"No, you can. If the situation is urgent enough."

Ludelins stood, picked up his coffee cup, and said, "Help me—it’s helping yourself. Convey my words to everyone—that’s all!"

With that, Ludelins suddenly smashed the coffee cup on the table, picked up a shard, and shouted, "This is a setup! I won’t accept this disgrace, even if it costs me my life."

Then Ludelins used the shard to slash at his own neck, and blood immediately gushed forth.

He hadn’t hit an artery, so he wouldn’t die, but Ludelins looked grimly bloodied and horrifying all the same.

Alexander nodded at the blood-soaked Ludelins who was staring back at him, then shouted loudly, "Secretary! Call a doctor!"

After shouting, Alexander didn’t tend to the critically wounded Ludelins. Instead, he sprinted toward the conference room, bursting through its doors to reach Nikolai, urgently whispering, "Ludelins has just committed suicide! He shouted he was framed and sliced open his own neck."

Nikolai froze in shock. The envoy jumped up and exclaimed, "Take me to him! Now!"