REBORN TO RULE

Attach to The Power

Ryan studied Luke more closely, starting to believe that this young man wasn't ordinary. There was something deeper behind those eyes.

He stroked his beard slowly. "Luke, I want you to be honest. Did you mention that issue about aid and distribution just to get my attention?"

Luke had just bitten into a large piece of chicken when he choked and started coughing. The question caught him off guard.

His plan had been flawless—except he underestimated Ryan's sharpness. The old man might be wrinkled, but he didn't show a hint of senility.

Luke calmed his cough with a drink while his mind raced, calculating his next move.

"I did want your attention. But not for personal gain. I just want that case reopened the right way. My concern is genuine."

He answered that it should be safe.

Ryan smiled, locking eyes with him. "And how do you know I'm the right person to hear it?"

"Because you didn't deny anything I said," Luke answered softly. "And I've been observing your game for a while. I listened to some of the conversations you had while playing. I figured you're someone who can be confided in."

Ryan snorted. "So you're an eavesdropper too."

"That's not all," Luke added another reason, not wanting to sound disrespectful.

"You also liked my mother's homemade ranch dressing. Not everyone has memories vivid enough to catch a scent and instantly recall the city where they had their first meeting."

Ryan laughed—this time, a warm, genuine laugh. "You're a sharp young man."

He pulled out his phone from his leather jacket, tapped something, and handed it to Luke.

"Think of it like this. We're playing a chess game—but this time, the board is the financial system. And our opponent isn't ordinary pieces—it's institutions capable of laundering massive amounts of money without leaving a trace."

Luke looked at the screen, which displayed a complex financial graph. Ryan hadn't written off the case either—he'd been watching.

"In that case, we need to use a reverse approach," Luke said.

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Reverse?"

"Yes. Everyone else follows the money—from the aid funds to the recipients. But what if we track it the other way? Start with the institutions capable of large-scale laundering and examine any companies with vague ties to Lawton in the past year. That might reveal gaps or strange patterns we can investigate."

Ryan listened intently.

"In fact," Luke continued, "if we find companies with clean books that don't match their activity, they're likely laundering money. Like pawns left still—waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

"Like a strategy from Paul Morphy or Bobby Fischer," Ryan murmured, crossing his arms.

Luke nodded. "Or like Carlsen—letting the opponent feel dominant before striking when the center opens up."

Ryan smiled, eyes gleaming. "You'd probably beat me in a chess match right now."

Luke stood up and wiped his hands with a napkin. "Tempting offer, Sir, but maybe later. I should prepare for submitting my documents and interviews over the next few days. I plan to continue my surgical specialization."

"Ah, of course—the busy young professional," Ryan joked, patting Luke on the shoulder. "In that case, take this, and call me if you find anything else." He handed Luke a business card.

Luke accepted it politely. "Thank you, Sir."

Before leaving, he took a small box from his bag. Inside was another Lawton specialty: cornbread with cinnamon butter and small slices of homemade apple pie.

"My mother made this too. I thought you might like it," he said, handing the box to Ryan.

Ryan received it as though it were something precious. "You really know how to win over an old man's heart, Luke. Once you're less busy, dinner's on me. We can talk more then."

Luke nodded respectfully and walked away. As his figure disappeared into the crowd, Ryan pulled out his phone and dialed a long-saved contact: James—the local police chief and his son.

"James, listen. I just met someone—Luke Anderson. He’s… remarkable. Can you look into him for me?"

James sounded surprised. "Dad? It's not like you to be interested in someone so openly."

"He's sharp. I haven't met a young man this impressive in a long time," Ryan affirmed.

"Alright, give me a sec."

After a brief pause, James returned. "His record is clean. No tickets, no issues. But there's something odd… He applied for surgical specialization, but it says he was rejected."

"Rejected? That doesn't make sense. He hasn't even done the interviews yet. If he's going to be rejected, it should've been later." Ryan sounded genuinely puzzled.

"Maybe he pissed someone off? Still, it's unusual," James agreed, sounding just as confused.

"Reverse that decision," Ryan said firmly. "I want him to have a shot at whatever plan he's pursuing."

"I'm not sure whether that's possible. What if someone powerful made the call?" James asked, clearly worried.

"Then recruit him to the economic investigation team. He has something other candidates lack: intuition, logic, and the courage to speak the truth."

"You're making him sound superhuman, Dad. Kinda makes me jealous. You never praised me like that." James chuckled.

"I'll praise you when you earn it,” Ryan replied.

James laughed again but quickly grew serious. "I get what you want, but this is outside standard procedure…"

"I don't care," Ryan cut in. "Use senior recommendation rights—whatever it takes. He's an asset."

"Okay. I'll try to make something happen," James replied before ending the call.

Ryan remained seated and opened the food box Luke had given him.

The warm, sweet aroma instantly reminded him of his late wife, of Lawton, and of how the most minor things still held deep meaning in a complicated world.

Rufus slammed a document on the table. "What the hell is this? Why is Luke Anderson still on today's interview list? Wasn't he rejected yesterday?"

One of the interview staff stammered a reply. Everyone in the room understood how volatile Rufus could be.

"W-We just received an order from the police division. They said Luke was personally recommended by an alumnus. They also said if we refuse, they'll recruit him for the special investigation team anyway…”

The staff's voice trailed off as Rufus's glare grew more furious.

"This is insane. We're not a private hiring agency!"

The hypocrisy was glaring—Rufus had used his connections to remove Luke's name just the day before.

But now, he was stuck. He couldn't easily override a senior recommendation. That level of authority was reserved for exceptional cases.

It was too late to remove Luke. He would have to attend the interview.

"This isn't over," Rufus muttered, slamming Luke's file back on the table. He hadn't lost yet. He still had other moves.