Legendary FBI Detective

FBI Washington Headquarters building, 13th investigative team office area.

"An annual yield of 17%?!"

Hearing Luo An's words, Winslow widened his eyes, Reesi's face was filled with disbelief, and Michelle and Chenier exchanged glances, realizing something, they both spoke out:

"Does Osmon have insider information? Did he jump the gun?"

"A Ponzi scheme?"

Both women realized something was off with the yield rate, but imagined completely different scenarios.

Michelle had previously worked at the Washington Headquarters and had seen numerous cases of individuals using insider information to manipulate the market and fleece the public.

Chenier had worked in the International Business Department and had encountered more financial cases related to Ponzi schemes.

"It could be either."

Luo An handed the documents to everyone; currently lacking enough information, he was also unable to determine exactly what the pharmaceutical company's boss Osmon was up to.

But Luo An held a simple line of thinking: stocks, funds, and financial products yielding over 6% annually all warranted significant skepticism.

This was because most banks offered annual yields between 3% to 6%—banks, after all, were the real money-making machines in the world.

All the agents present understood what a Ponzi scheme was; looking at the documents in hand, Reesi and Chenier stood together:

"I think the fund Osmon mentioned is a Ponzi scheme."

Winslow shook his head, choosing to trust Michelle's judgment:

"I think Osmon is exploiting insider information to front-run and fleece the lower class.

Ponzi schemes, a type of fraud we can recognize—would those rich people not see through it?"

"No, Winslow, you're wrong about one thing."

Mona tossed aside the folder, looked up, and sneered:

"A Ponzi scheme is actually the story of 'three men make a tiger'. I believe it can make money, you believe it can make money, we deceive the next person it can make money, and in the end, it really can make money.

This itself is an exploitation system, sucking blood from those who joined later to feed those rich earlier comers.

Many of those rich people probably know it's a scam, but they believe as long as they withdraw their money before the scam is exposed, they won't lose out."

Luo An grinned and added:

"It's all about having a keen nose and being quick on your feet."

"OK."

Michelle hesitated for a few seconds and nodded; Winslow thought for a moment and laughed:

"I still think Osmon is playing with insider information."

"We can't rule that out."

Luo An did not deny this possibility; after a few seconds of silence, he picked up his coffee and drank it in one gulp, saying:

"Everyone, whether it's a Ponzi scheme or insider front-running, Nockvic-Brage was definitely killed because he stumbled upon something.

Nockvic, in his lifetime, had used the alias Lutheur Field to have something tested by a research institute.

Mona, Michelle, you two use the computers to investigate and see if you can find out what was being tested.

Winslow, Chenier, Reesi, you move on the ground, go to the research institute to investigate, monitoring footage, entry and exit records, experiment records, try to bring back a copy."

"OK!"

"No problem!"

All five agents nodded in unison; Michelle and Mona returned to their seats to start on the computers, while the other three quickly packed their gear and immediately left the 13th investigative team office area.

As the team leader, Luo An pondered for a moment, briefly organized the folders, and took them to Vireness's office.

Vireness, after being transferred to the FBI Washington Headquarters, held the position of assistant to Minister Sidis.

As an assistant, Vireness's office in this building was more than halved compared to her office as a team supervisor at the New York Branch.

Luo An knocked and entered the office:

"Good afternoon, Chief."

"Good afternoon."

Upon seeing Luo An, Vireness didn't bother with small talk, she waved her hand indicating him to grab a chair and sit, then said:

"What's up?"

"About this case in my hands, I have discovered some clues with my team."

Luo An handed the folder to Vireness and briefly described pharmaceutical company owner Osmon, the chief researcher Vivian, and the matter of that fund.

Both Osmon and Vivian have extraordinary identities, and the usual investigative methods of the team are not suitable for such wealthy people, as they would certainly remain silent and demand a lawyer.

Moreover, the case involves a large amount of money and numerous people. Luo An thought that as just a small head of an investigative team, his rank and position were not suited to lifting such a big lid.

So it was time to seek help from higher authorities.

Looking at the information in hand, Vireness had a slightly strange expression. After Luo An finished speaking, she closed the folder, raised her eyebrows slightly, and after giving Luo An a deep look, softly said:

"Your speed is really fast."

Luo An: "..."

Without waiting for Luo An to speak, Vireness took a black folder from a pile of documents next to her and handed it to Luo An, saying:

"That private club, I also happened to have discovered some clues."

Luo An took the folder and looked down. Vireness leaned back and crossed her legs, explaining:

"The owner of that club is a senator in Congress.

You just mentioned the pharmaceutical company owner Osmon, he and that senator were college buddies and belong to the same Brotherhood, their relationship is very good.

When I first found these clues, I was wondering why the relationship between Osmon and the senator was so good.

The fund you introduced with a 17% annual return finally made me understand this point."

"Wow."

After reading the information in the folder, Luo An casually exclaimed.

Luo An was actually not surprised; this is a federation where there is no corruption, everything is in accordance with the law.

It's quite normal for a senator and a company owner to have a good relationship.

"As for Vivian whom you mentioned, I also discovered some information about her."

A peculiar light flickered in Vireness's eyes, and her voice changed slightly:

"She, along with Osmon and that senator, often go to certain places together for gatherings."

Seeing the expression on Vireness's face looking slightly off, Luo An's mind clicked and he tentatively asked:

"Chief, the gatherings you're talking about, are they?"

"Exactly what you're thinking."

The office air quieted instantly, and this time Luo An was indeed surprised.

After a few seconds of silence, Luo An cleared his throat to change the subject, asking:

"Chief, how should we handle this case next?"

Senators, company owners, Ponzi schemes, insider trading, private clubs... every one of these terms spelled trouble.

Vireness glanced at her wristwatch, stood up and began to tidy up the documents, saying:

"Mr. Clement will be back soon."

Vireness, having found the clues about that club, originally planned to contact Mr. Clement first, then call Luo An with the clues to discuss the case together in Mr. Clement's office.

But she never expected that Luo An would investigate the case so quickly, almost simultaneously finding clues about Osmon, including some details about the fund she hadn't found.

Thinking this, Vireness, having tidied up the documents, unnoticeably glanced at Luo An, a flash of approval in her eyes, and softly said:

"Luo An, join me in Mr. Clement's office."

"OK."

Luo An stood up and followed, and they shortly arrived at Mr. Clement's office.

Just as Vireness was about to knock on the door, the secretary outside the office preemptively pushed open the large door and greeted them with a smile, making a "please enter" gesture.

Vireness with an odd look deeply glanced at Luo An and softly said:

"This is the first time I've entered this office without knocking."

"..."

Luo An was somewhat amazed but said nothing, not knowing if it was an illusion, he felt as though he could smell a hint of jealousy?

Entering the interior of the office, Mr. Clement was bent over the table writing something, and after taking the documents handed over by Vireness and reviewing them briefly, he suddenly looked at Luo An and asked:

"Luo An, what do you think about this person?"

Luo An: "..."