Chapter 400: Recruitment
"Mr. Chance, I'm deeply ashamed. I did nothing!" Anthony said, his embarrassment evident in his altered address to Jared.
"Your presence counts as help," Jared replied, unconcerned. Facing Zedekiah, Anthony and the Department of Justice would have been futile.
"Mr. Chance, I have a bold proposal: join the Department of Justice. I'll make you Lieutenant General!" Anthony's recruitment pitch was driven by the belief that Jared's presence would significantly elevate their standing, even intimidating martial arts families.
Jared shook his head. "I have other commitments. Thank you, General Long." He found the Department's rigid structure unappealing.
"Mr. Chance, I'll even give you my position! I'll serve as your Lieutenant General!" Anthony offered urgently.
Jared shook his head again. "General Long, I have pressing personal matters preventing me from joining. However, I'll assist if you need help."
Anthony was relieved. "Thank you, Mr. Chance. The Department of Justice will reciprocate."
After their conversation, Jared visited Lizbeth's home, only to find it empty. Josephine had been staying with Lizbeth while Jared trained. A phone call revealed their location: a shopping district.
Spotting Jared, Josephine waved enthusiastically. He lifted her playfully, spinning her around.
"Enough PDA!" Lizbeth rolled her eyes. "Find a boyfriend, then you can do that!"
Josephine smiled. "Why bother? Men are brutes. If only I could find someone like Jared," Lizbeth blurted, blushing at her unintentional declaration of Jared as her ideal partner.
Josephine giggled. "If you like him so much, we'll both be his girlfriends!"
Lizbeth's blush deepened. "Nonsense! He'd be ecstatic!"
Jared's wry smile at Josephine's suggestion prompted her immediate questioning.
"Was that serious?"
"Whatever you want," Jared replied smoothly, avoiding a direct answer yet satisfying her.
Josephine, pleased, declared, "Let's go shopping!"
The three strolled through Summerbank's bustling shopping district, a new experience for Jared. At an intersection, they encountered a noisy crowd.
(The promotional sentence has been removed as it's unrelated to the story text.)