702  Chapter 701

“I’m sorry too, Mr. Sims!”

A man stepped forward. “I sealed the windows on purpose so you wouldn’t see any light.”

Another added, “I made sure the door was cracked at night to let the cold air in while you slept.”

“I didn’t do much, but I led the charge to badmouth you for days. I’m sorry.”

“…”

One after another, members of the Special Division bowed their heads in apology, not just out of guilt but out of growing admiration for the elderly man standing before them.

Even those who had done nothing wrong followed suit, apologizing and showing their respect.

Then, a steady voice cut through the crowd. “Let me through.”

Everyone parted as Brian walked up, eyes fixed on old Mr. Sims.

He saw the man’s white hair, frail body, and shaky steps, but most of all, he saw those eyes—steady and unbroken.

The weight of it hit Brian like a punch to the gut.

Without warning, Brian dropped to his knees in front of old Mr. Sims with a loud thud.

Old Mr. Sims froze, startled. “What are you doing? Get up, get up…”

But Brian shook his head. “Please don’t ask me to get up. I’ve known you my whole life, and I know the kind of person you are. But because of this stupid Special Division position, I let myself grow suspicious and resentful toward you. And when everything went south, I didn’t question it—I just got angry. Mr. Sims, I’m so sorry!”

His forehead hit the ground with a sharp knock, the sound echoing in the room, making everyone’s chest tighten.

When Brian lifted his head, his forehead was already turning red.

He looked like he was ready to bow again when old Mr. Sims chuckled, shaking his head. “You stubborn kid, get up!”

Brian froze, the familiar nickname hitting him hard. Memories of his younger years flooded back, and he blinked, his eyes suddenly red-rimmed. He wanted to say something, but the words stuck in his throat.

Mr. Sims reached down and pulled him to his feet. “You’ve done a good job all these years,” he said softly.

“I should’ve handed the reins to you long ago, but I had to stay on for Barry’s sake. It’s only natural you’d have some hard feelings. But even so, I’ve seen everything you’ve done lately, and I’m proud of you.”

He helped Brian stand upright and smiled. “You’re my pride. I know you’ll take good care of the Special Division.”

Brian blinked in shock. “What are you saying?”

Old Mr. Sims glanced over at Barry Brandt, smiling. “Barry’s back, so there’s no need for me to hang on to this job any longer. It’s time for me to retire. As for the money in my account, I didn’t touch a cent because I was afraid it’d be flagged. Now, it can all go to charity—it’s Barry’s contribution to our country.”

Old Mr. Sims had never been involved in corruption; the money in his account remained untouched.

Brian’s chest tightened even more, and his eyes filled with tears.

Barry’s eyes were red, too, as he grabbed old Mr. Sims’ arm. “You’ve worked so hard all these years, but you could have retired. I could have worked with Brian to handle things…”

Old Mr. Sims patted his arm. “Your return was never a sure thing. You kept sending me the money you earned abroad to keep it from being frozen in your account. It was only a matter of time before everything blew up. If I hadn’t stayed in this position, Brian would have been the one stuck here. I could still carry the weight, so I stayed.”

Brian’s chest heaved as the full weight of old Mr. Sims’ sacrifice hit him.

He understood now.

Old Mr. Sims never stayed in his position for the power or the title. He stayed to protect everyone.

If Brian had been in charge, he would have been the one thrown into prison and branded as a traitor.

Guilt and regret overwhelmed Brian.

Old Mr. Sims was a father figure to him and had remained steadfast all these years, while Brian had doubted him.

How could he have been so blind?

Brian slapped himself across the face, then dropped to his knees again, head bowed low. “Uncle Sims, I’m so sorry.”

Old Mr. Sims sighed and bent down, helping him up once more. “You’re like a son to me. There’s no need for all this formality. After your father passed, I treated you like my second son.”

He looked around at the members of the Special Division, smiling. “From now on, the Special Division is in Brian’s hands. I trust all of you to support him and carry on our work.”

The entire team shouted in unison, “Yes, sir!”

Old Mr. Sims had dedicated his entire life to the Special Division, and there wasn’t a single person in the room who wasn’t moved by his selflessness.

After the echoes of their voices died down, old Mr. Sims glanced through the crowd and spotted Keira standing toward the back. His eyes softened as he waved her over.

“Kiddo, come here.”

Keira hesitated for a moment.

She then sighed and made her way through the crowd toward him, with the others stepping aside to give her space.