Walking further down the corridor, the most secluded office was at the eastern end, with a wooden door that completely obscured the view inside, making it the most private office of all.

Luke glanced at it, noticing there was no nameplate on the door of this office.

Next to the office, there was a work desk, behind which sat a white woman in her forties.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Mena, I'm here to see the president."

"Hello, Miss Dean."

Ms. Mena gave Luke a look, nodded in acknowledgment, and then walked over to knock on the office door, "Knock, knock..."

"Come in."

After Ms. Mena opened the door, she said, "President, Miss Dean is here."

"Please invite her in." A man's voice came from inside the room.

Ms. Mena stepped aside and made a welcoming gesture.

Orty led Luke into the office.

A white man, around fifty and slightly balding, rose to greet them, "Long time no see, Orty.

Mr. Lee, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, President Bailey."

The man before them was Kundura Bailey, the president of the North American Office of the Detective Agency.

"Please, take a seat," Kundura Bailey motioned for them to sit on the sofa.

Ms. Mena came in with a tray, placing three cups of tea on the coffee table before closing the door and leaving.

Kundura Bailey began, "Mr. Lee, ever since the Las Vegas shooting, I've wanted to meet with you.

I knew you were sure to become a hero, and this turbulent world needs heroes like you."

Luke said, "I do have the capacity to be a hero, and I've done things that fit the description of a hero's actions.

But people's definition of a hero is more about a moral and spiritual dimension, and I don't like being defined by others."

Kundura Bailey nodded, "I understand what you're saying. It's somewhat like the American elections, where every candidate appears full of righteousness, brimming with endless enthusiasm and selfless dedication for this country.

But behind closed doors, who can withstand scrutiny?

People have two sides, so don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just showing the side people want to see is enough.

You are the hero in their minds, not because you wish it, but because they want such a hero to make them feel safer."

"Hearing you say that, I feel much more at ease." In fact, while receiving the award, Luke also harbored some concerns that being labeled a 'hero' would draw more attention to him and magnify some of his actions.

Now that he thought about it, which Great Commander didn't have some dirt on them? And yet they still ascended to high positions. By comparison, Luke's conduct and actions were much safer than theirs.

"Mr. Lee, since you've been appointed as a consultant, you've had several collaborations with the Detective Agency, helping us complete various commissions.

Your abilities stand out, and the agency would like to deepen our cooperation with you."

"In what way?"

"For instance, we could set up a separate detective team for you.

If there's a suitable commission, it would be directly assigned to your team, for you to lead and assign tasks. What do you think?"

Orty had not mentioned this before, and when Luke turned to look at her, he noticed she seemed surprised as well.

After a brief moment of thought, Luke said, "President Bailey, I appreciate your trust, and your proposal is certainly tempting.

But I am very satisfied with my current life and work arrangement, and that includes my cooperation with the Detective Agency.

I enjoy working with Orty, and if the Detective Agency needs me, you can have her get in touch with me.

I will do my best."

Luke declined Kundura Bailey's offer largely due to two considerations.

On one hand, Luke was satisfied with his current situation; his main focus was still his work at the police department. If he accepted the proposal to create a team, he would inevitably have to invest more effort into detective work.

He wasn't short on money, so there was no need to exhaust himself like this.

On the other hand, detective work would inevitably overlap with criminal cases, and this could lead to complications in conversations, even when talking with someone he was familiar with, like Orty, Luke would use the Detection Card.

If he were to lead a detective team, the use of the Detection Card would greatly increase, which might be counterproductive.

After weighing his options, Luke thought it best to maintain a contact person at the Detective Agency, and Orty was well suited for the role.

"All right, I respect your decision," Kundura Bailey said, not insisting further, and shifted the conversation to another topic.

After chatting for a while longer, half an hour later, Luke took his leave.

It was a little after three in the afternoon when Luke and Orty strolled through the streets of Washington.

Orty looked over at Luke, "Thank you."

Although Luke had refused Kundura Bailey's proposal for his own benefit, he had indirectly helped Orty. Had Luke established his own detective team, Orty's role as a liaison would have been greatly diminished.

"Thanks shouldn't just be expressed with words; that lacks sincerity."

After thinking for a moment, Orty said, "There's a nice coffee shop up ahead, I'll treat you to afternoon tea."

"That sounds quite nice, it's actually the first time a woman has offered to treat me to afternoon tea."

"Then let's go; you might enjoy it. It's much cheaper than booking a room at a hotel."

"I still prefer the swimming pool at a hotel."

Orty "..."

The two entered the coffee shop, chose a seat by the window, and Orty ordered two cups of coffee and two desserts.

The hand-ground coffee and the desserts were exquisite, and as they enjoyed their afternoon tea and chatted, Luke found himself relishing the leisurely atmosphere.

Two television sets hung above the coffee counter, one showing a movie, the other broadcasting the news.

"Good afternoon, viewers. This is CBG news reporter Fleet Matos, bringing you the news.

Early this morning, Washington police received a tip-off about illegal sex trade activities at the Marriott Hotel. During a raid, the police arrested five sex workers and six clients. One of the clients, Fatou Brandi, is suspected to be the firefighter who was just awarded the Public Safety Officer's Medal of Valor yesterday..."

Luke smacked his forehead and sighed, "Fuck, what a fool."

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