[Chapter 212: Started Construction]
Instantly killing these guys on the spot was absolutely out of the question; after all, this was a society governed by law. Leaving them alive was even less acceptable. The Thunder Trial formation was about to begin construction, and if it fell into the wrong hands, it could spark suspicion and countermeasures.
Dismissal was necessary, but these spies actually dared to infiltrate his own territory -- they couldn't just be sent away so easily. That would be far too generous, and it would go against the whole point of his ambitions and power.
Since entering the Radiant Core stage, his control of Starlight Spark had far surpassed ordinary limits. Especially in the later stages of Radiant Core, even when the energy was separated from his body, it could remain dormant for a time before exploding.
The level of destruction caused depended on the amount of energy stored. With his current control, the maximum energy he could hide would be enough to blow up a car upon detonation.
Now at Radiant Core level 8, his Starlight Spark could remain dormant for up to 10 days before triggering, and when aimed at the human body, it was devastatingly simple. Just a slight release of energy inserted into the brain or heart of his target would cause instant death.
Without hesitation, once he had extracted the necessary information, he discreetly infused a trace of Starlight Spark into each of them at the moment of shaking hands, bidding farewell. Piero's energy lingered in his brain, set to detonate in 10 days, causing his head to swell and explode from the inside out like a rotten watermelon.
Kentrey's energy was concealed in his heart, also set for 10 days, which would cause his chest cavity to rupture completely.
After interviewing the newly recruited employees one by one, in order to avoid causing unrest, the security chief hadn't disclosed information about the two spies, not even to the junior guards. He only told them that the values of Piero and Kentrey didn't align with those of Thunder Guards.
They were immediately dismissed, settled their monthly wages, and were sent off from the base.
As for the Gray Wolf Security Company and the Sunshine Charity Foundation owned by the Clinton family, as well as the New York's Golden Stone Security Company and their known associates, Linton had mentally noted every one of them. They had dared to send spies into his territory -- he intended to find an opportunity to retaliate.
By the time their meeting ended, night had fully fallen. Before a late dinner at Thunder Base with the guards, thinking of Winnie and assistant Meena left alone at the farm, Linton hurriedly returned to the villa with Carter.
---
When Linton returned from the site inspection and dealing with the spies, Winnie eagerly threw herself into his arms and pressed a passionate kiss on him -- an unexpected but welcome respite.
That evening, beneath a half-moon and a sky filled with stars, Winnie fluttered about Linton as if she were a butterfly, her laughter ringing like a silver bell. He took her hand and led her out of the villa toward the open fields, where the authentic natural beauty made them feel intimately connected to the world.
"Come on," he teased. "Honey, the stars are so clear tonight -- let's take a walk."
Winnie melted into his arm, and for a moment Linton's stern heart softened.
Beneath their feet stretched endless fields, their quiet expanse radiating a raw, natural beauty that made one feel intimately connected to the world.
Though the moon was only half full, its silver glow -- joined by a sky brimming with stars -- cast a serene light over the landscape, magnifying the vastness of the universe.
On this broad, open farm, with his beloved woman by his side and no other men to intrude, they savored a world that belonged only to them.
After wandering beneath the stars for nearly two hours, Winnie leaned gently into Linton's arm and whispered, "Honey, I'm tired. Let's head back."
"Tired?" he chuckled. "Should I carry you instead?"
But as soon as they returned to the villa, Winnie seemed instantly rejuvenated -- her weariness gone -- and she pulled him into a sudden, passionate embrace.
What followed was a night wrapped in warmth, closeness, and deep affection.
---
At the construction command center, Linton joined Tasker Miller, Gesler's on-site director, along with assistant Meena and his bodyguards Danny and Carter.
Workers had steadily received their equipment and materials over the past week. Once tasks were underway, the non-essential villa staff were granted a delayed vacation and happily returned home.By the day after tomorrow, all materials, machinery, and workers needed for construction were to be fully in place.
He inspected the material batches -- models, quality, quantities -- and confirmed everything met the design specs.
As a top construction company, Gesler executed every detail -- preparations and build -- with precision.
When asked about the construction timeline, Tasker confidently guaranteed at least 40 days would be needed to ensure both quality and timely completion.
Tasker had divided the workforce into twenty-one construction teams of 14–18 members each, assigned their territories, and distributed all necessary tools and materials. More than 300 professional workers had gathered in the yard, with piles of thick steel bars and 10 cm-thick copper cable spools ready -- and still more machinery arriving.
They also selected 42 detail-oriented Thunder Guards to form 21 monitoring teams -- each matched to a construction crew as on-site client-side supervisors to enforce quality standards. Foundations would dig at least 10 meters down; copper pipes would be buried a minimum of 6 meters.
Today, all construction crews underwent training on Gesler's rigorous standards and safety regulations.
"Alright," Tasker said, as the workers took notes on the depth requirements and inspection checkpoints.
In just five months, Linton had invested $28 million. Seeing the teams at work -- each strictly following the blueprints without deviation -- made the outlay feel more than justified.
---
On the morning of Day 7, the roar of engines signaled the start: twenty-one construction teams from Gesler Company fanned out to their assigned sites and officially began work.
Then Linton ordered a full military lockdown of the farm: 24-hour live-ammunition patrols around the perimeter. "No trespassers," he declared. "Anyone caught will have their belongings confiscated, be disciplined severely, and be ejected."
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