The first move when in doubt: Bait the hook

"Are you sure?"

Ji Jue stared coldly at Bustaman.

The Federation was involved with the Soekarno Family?

I'm from the damn Federation. How come I didn't know?

"It's only a guess. But my principle is to assume the worst when there's reason for doubt. It never hurts to be careful."

Bustaman hurriedly lowered his head. "The Soekarno Family has kept this well hidden, and the Usurper has helped cover for them. There's a great deal we don't know.

"Others might not be aware, but my intelligence channels are, as you know, rather extensive..."

Extensive was an understatement.

After all, most people couldn't claim to have fathers-in-law all over the world.

Wasn't Bustaman's knack for maneuvering and working a room the very reason the Chopra Family had maintained its relative independence, rather than being commandeered and kept on a leash?

His methods might be unconventional, but damn, were they ever unconventional.

Rumors and scraps of news came in through all kinds of channels. In the hands of someone willing to piece them together, they could reveal things no document would ever say outright.

Granted, Luo Island had done an excellent job keeping its secrets. People doing dirty work couldn't go around wearing their employer's name on their foreheads, could they? But no matter how carefully Soekarno covered his tracks, once a telltale clue emerged, it was hard to hide.

"Come to think of it, Mister Ji, this is thanks to you."

Bustaman changed tack and looked back at Ji Jue, leaving him baffled. Why did every damn mess in the world somehow lead back to him?

Ji Jue frowned. "Stop dragging it out. Say what you mean!"

"Ahem. It's the Long Island Conglomerate."

The name sounded familiar. Ji Jue racked his brain for a long moment, then slapped his forehead. Damn