Verbal sparring at the welcome banquet, factions within the Discipline and Supervision Department

The dinner was held in the small Dining Room in the No. 2 Administrative Building.

There were no long tables, only several round tables. The meals were a standard four-dish-and-one-soup work lunch, served individually, which felt both orderly and distant.

Lynn sat at the main table with Ravonna, accompanied by Gwen Stacy, Hela, and Wanda. On the other side were two of Ravonna's attendants.

The atmosphere was somewhat somber.

There was only the slight clinking of cutlery.

Lynn put down his chopsticks and picked up the glass in front of him. It didn't contain wine, but lukewarm water.

"Special Envoy Ravonna, I've been busy studying documents all afternoon and haven't had a chance to properly entertain you. On behalf of the Negative Zone Management Committee, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough. The conversation at the next table stopped.

Ravonna also picked up her water glass, her posture was very proper, but she did not stand up.

"This investigation is also a rare opportunity for us at Negative Zone to conduct self-examination and standardize our management. We will fully cooperate, clarify historical issues, straighten out accounts, and avoid causing trouble for the Coordination Committee." Lynn's tone was very sincere, as if she were giving a work report.

Ravonna looked at him, her gaze still formulaic.

"Director Lynn, you're too kind," she said, her voice flat. "It's our duty. I also hope the comrades on the Management Committee can understand the nature of our work, improve efficiency, and complete the handover as soon as possible. After all, time waits for no one."

She gently touched Lynn's glass, making a crisp sound.

Then, she drank the water in the glass in one gulp.

The movements were so fast, almost inappropriately so.

Lynn noticed that when she put down the cup, her knuckles turned slightly white from the force.

He smiled to himself.

It seems that Ke'er's log in the Battleworld was correct. The Coordination Committee's hole was bigger than imagined. Big enough that a high-ranking Special Envoy was needed, armed with the Supreme Chairman's orders, to forcibly settle the accounts.

This Special Envoy, Ravonna, didn't seem to be there for an audit; he looked more like he was there to collect a debt.

Being pushed out to take the fall must be a terrible feeling.

Lynn finished her water and smiled, saying, "The Special Envoy is right, efficiency is paramount. We've put all departments on standby 24/7."

The exchange at the main table was brief and to the point.

The atmosphere at the banquet relaxed a little.

Gwen Stacy stood up, took her glass, and walked to the next table.

She walked up to Ravonna's silent female attendant.

"This... colleague, what's your name?" Gwen Stacy's smile was just right.

The woman stood up; she was very tall, and her gaze was calm.

"Sylvie."

"Hello, Comrade Sylvie. I am Gwen Stacy Stacy from the Liaison Office. The procedures in the reception hall this afternoon were rather rigid, and I apologize for any offense caused." Gwen Stacy spoke very politely.

Sylvie's lips twitched slightly, but it was impossible to tell whether she was smiling.

"Director Gwen, you're too kind. You're just following the rules, and so are we. It's all part of our duty."

The two clinked glasses.

"These past few days have been tough for everyone," Sylvie said casually, taking a sip of water. "Especially after that messy affair in the Battleworld came to light, the higher-ups are pressing hard, and everyone's on edge."

Gwen Stacy's smile remained unchanged.

But her gaze faltered almost imperceptibly when she heard the words "Battleworld Bad Debt".

She didn't respond to that question, but simply smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work. We will definitely cooperate fully to help the Audit Team complete their work as soon as possible."

"Then I'll take your kind words." Hill smiled and sat down.

Gwen Stacy smiled and nodded, then turned and walked back to her seat.

The whole process was as natural as a regular toast.

But Lynn saw it very clearly.

When Sylvie said that, her eyes weren't on Gwen Stacy, but rather she glanced almost imperceptibly at Ravonna on the main table.

As Gwen Stacy turned around, she tapped her wrist lightly with her fingers.

This was a pre-arranged code between them, signifying "something important has happened."

Lynn picked up her teacup, blew on the steam, and pretended not to see anything.

He already knew what was going on.

This Audit Team is not a monolithic entity.

This play is getting more and more interesting.

The banquet ended quickly.

Lynn personally escorted Ravonna and her party to the entrance of the guesthouse and politely said goodbye.

"Special Envoy, please get some rest. Take your time reading the disclaimer; there's no rush. If you need anything, please contact the Liaison Office."

Ravonna glanced at him, said nothing, and turned to go inside.

Sylvie followed behind, pausing briefly as she passed Lynn.

She turned her head and whispered something.

"Director Lynn, your firewall needs an upgrade."

After saying that, she went inside.

Lynn stood there, the smile on her face slowly fading.

Firewall?

He returned to the White Bone Hall, where Gwen Stacy, Hela, and Wanda were already waiting.

"Boss," Gwen Stacy stepped forward, lowering her voice, "That woman named Sylvie is suspicious. She deliberately leaked information about the ' Battleworld Bad Debt ' to me, as if she were..."

She couldn't find the right word for it.

"It's like offering a pledge of allegiance," Lynn said for her.

He looked at Wanda, "Department of Technology, check all the background information on this Sylvie."

"We're investigating." Wanda's expression was somewhat grave. "But her file is under the highest level of encryption within the Discipline and Supervision Department. I need some time."

"No rush," Lynn said, sitting back on his Throne. "Take your time. The fish has taken the bait; it's just a matter of when to reel it in."

He had barely finished speaking when the Encrypted Communicator in his pocket suddenly vibrated rapidly.

It's not a warning sound; it's a physical vibration that only triggers the highest level of emergency alarm.

Lynn took out Communicator.

There was only a red exclamation mark on the screen, flashing wildly.

He pressed the answer button.

Wanda's Holographic Projection appeared in front of him instantly, her face showing unprecedented anxiety.

"Boss!"

Her voice even trembled slightly.

"The core database has been secretly compromised by unknown high-level privileges, and the firewall is crashing!"