Dylan Smith’s last meeting with Evelyn Smith was ten years ago, back when he was just an ordinary member of Team Six, and Scott Smith was only the vice-captain. Now, Dylan Smith could only sigh: No wonder...

Seeing Scott Smith’s dissatisfied look, Dylan Smith hurriedly pulled out another portable e-book and handed it over. “Take a look at this guy.”

Holding two e-books, Scott Smith was momentarily stunned. “They look alike, really too much alike!”

Several vice-captains also crowded over to look, and after seeing it, their expressions turned odd.

“Looks alike, right?” Dylan Smith wiped the water from the corner of his mouth. “The first time I saw that kid, I thought he looked familiar, just couldn’t recall from where. This guy is the new member I want to recommend—Brian Clark. If I hadn’t seen the ‘no children’ note on Evelyn Smith’s profile, I’d really think these two were father and son.”

Now, Scott Smith no longer pursued Dylan Smith’s earlier behavior. He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, lost in thought. He glanced at the time display—ten minutes until the video conference started.

“Dylan Smith, bring Brian Clark over. And be careful, try not to let anyone else on the ship see him.”

“Alright.”

Dylan Smith didn’t ask further, quickly left the meeting room, and soon brought back Brian Clark, who looked half-asleep with his eyes half-closed.

Seeing the people in the meeting room, Brian Clark shook off his drowsiness. He could sense these people were not ordinary.

“Sit, no need to be so formal.” Scott Smith pointed to a chair nearby, smiling kindly.

Brian Clark glanced suspiciously at the seven people before sitting down. I’m not nervous, but your stares are honestly a bit creepy...

“Brian Clark, right? Dylan Smith has already told me about you. We’ve discussed it, and welcome you to join the Sixth Fleet of the Vanguard Hunters. Your ID card will be delivered to you shortly.”

Dylan Smith lowered his head to drink water. When did you all discuss this?!

None of the other vice-captains objected to Scott Smith’s words. Although they had issues with Dylan Smith, Brian Clark’s situation was special, and for once, the vice-captains unanimously agreed to accept Brian Clark as a member—moreover, as a core member.

Brian Clark looked suspiciously at the downcast Dylan Smith. Didn’t you say it would be difficult to get a core member position? Didn’t you say the vice-captains would make things hard? So what’s going on now?

Chapter 12: Acting With Confidence

Scott Smith didn’t say much more and handed over the e-book displaying Evelyn Smith’s image.

After seeing it, Brian Clark was stunned on the spot.

If he didn’t know that his own appearance was the result of altered gene expression, Brian Clark would have suspected the person on the screen was his own father!

What a coincidence, truly uncanny!

After briefly explaining Evelyn Smith and the deal to Brian Clark, Scott Smith pointed to a chair in the corner of the meeting room. “Brian Clark, during the negotiation later, just sit here.”

“Okay.” Brian Clark had guessed a few things. If it was this easy for him to join Team Six as a core member, it meant he was quite useful—at the very least, this face was important to the Sixth Fleet.

Soon after, the video conference began.

On the screen, the thirty-seven-year-old Evelyn Smith wore a kindly smile, but every gesture exuded a natural authority. He had originally planned to make it quick, reject Team Six’s offer, and side with the Navigators. But when he saw Brian Clark sitting in the corner, the words he’d prepared never left his mouth.

Both Evelyn Smith and Scott Smith were shrewd men; with just a glance, they could roughly guess each other’s thoughts. In that instant, Evelyn Smith thought of many things.

After a brief pause, Evelyn Smith smiled softly. “Let me reconsider the deal, but I think we should have a good talk. Don’t you agree, Captain Scott Smith?”

“Of course, I’d be delighted.”

He waved for the others to leave, and only Scott Smith remained in the meeting room.

Dragged out of the meeting room by Dylan Smith, Brian Clark lay on a chair in the lounge, closed his eyes, and suppressed his surprise. He considered several possible scenarios for what might happen next, but no matter which, Brian Clark was looking forward to it—this was his first mission since leaving Brown Earth Star.

Scott Smith was in a great mood now, extremely pleased. Becoming captain of the Sixth Fleet wasn’t just about strength; Scott Smith saw things more deeply than others. Letting Evelyn Smith see Brian Clark was to confirm his own suspicions.

Two hours later, Scott Smith called Brian Clark over for a private talk.

“Pretend to be his son?!” Brian Clark looked at the mission plan Scott Smith had prepared.

“Yes. Although Evelyn Smith didn’t state the reason, I suspect this will be very important for his bid to become the heir of the Dao’angsi family. What do you think? Tell me your own thoughts.”

Brian Clark quickly reviewed Evelyn Smith’s mindset and said, “Although the outside world says Evelyn Smith has no children, I think he does. It’s just that, for the safety of his offspring, he won’t reveal them until he secures the heir position—it’s too dangerous otherwise. His goal is to have me act as a decoy for his real child, drawing the attention of certain interested parties, so that Evelyn Smith can focus more energy on competing for the heir position. Of course, that’s just my guess.”