20 - Contract

"If that's the case, why don't you personally take care of him?"

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The next morning, Victor Lehmbach, the Chief for Beta and Omega Protection Division in the National Bureau of Security, personally wrote an email to Maximillian Grant, attaching the investigation report done to Frank Eisenhart pertinent to his questionable relationship to Julian Haas.

Apparently, it was nothing but a legal transaction between two consenting adults, albeit alpha and omega of two different social circles.

"I have asked my junior agent to give your subordinate a copy of the aforementioned contract, should you want to take a deeper look at its content."

Before Maximillian opened his mouth to summon Stefan, the junior agent quickly appeared before him with the document.

"Agent Grant, Willis from the Beta and Omega Protection Division just dropped by to hand this HoloDoc over. Apparently, you asked for it."

"Correct. Leave it on the table," Maximillian said without turning to look at Stefan. The young alpha was screaming inside his head. This superior of his was too ruthless! Julian Haas was involved with a renowned entrepreneurial giant such as Frank Eisenhart, and Stefan was dying to know what their relationship was.

Alas, even Willis could not answer him this question. That haughty alpha even had the cheek to stare at him and ask, "Shouldn't you know best? After all, Agent Grant was the one who made the report in the first place."

Lacking excuses to stay, Stefan could only leave with his ears drooping in dejection and his tail tucked between his legs.

"... Yes, Sir."

Maximillian stared at Stefan's gloomy back, unsure why the younger alpha looked dispirited this morning.

The HoloDoc, a sphere of polished crystal, encased a single chip of aluminum at its core, boasting a file recording capacity of max. 100 TB. Beyond mere data storage, the HoloDoc harbored a suite of embedded software, transforming it into a versatile entertainment hub. Movies, music, pictures, digital books, etc. materialized with a simple click on a universal button at the center of the small device.

Maximillian activated the device before him, and the sphere bloomed into a holographic display.

The contract's content materialized as printed lines in a two-dimensional scrollable sheet, its black letters stark against a white backdrop, an uncanny echo of a tangible document.

A window materialized in the center of the holographic sheet before Maximillian could delve deeper. A smooth, female android voice inquired, "Would you prefer a summarized version or the full content of the document?"

As expected of Frank Eisenhart, a cunning player in his industry, his contracts comprised two hundred pages at least.

"Summarized, please." Maximillian drew his mug of black coffee closer, the steam curling around his face as he stared at the two-dimensional screen.

"Very well."

A summarized version of the contract popped into Maximillian's sight in an instant.

The alpha's eyes flew through the content as he read it thoroughly.

It was a straightforward transactional agreement between Frank Eisenhart and Julian Haas, in which Julian Haas agreed to provide a certain service, and Frank Eisenhart, in return, would secure the omega's entry into the prestigious University of Kaisersiedeln's PhD program and boost his chances at receiving a prestigious scholarship with the most attractive benefits.

The service in question required Julian to date Lars Eisenhart as soon as the contract fell into place, and broke up with the heir whenever Frank wanted him to.

Maximillian furrowed his brows at the passage.

"I want details regarding any favors offered that are sexual, criminal, or otherwise illegal in nature."

"Your inquiry results in twenty-five search results," the android voice announced.

Maximillian meticulously reviewed each segment of the contract before leaning back in his chair, his brow furrowed in deep thought.

While the contract itself might raise eyebrows, it scrupulously adhered to legal boundaries.

There was no evidence of coercion forcing Julian into an intimate relationship with Lars Eisenhart. In fact, based on their conversation when Lars tried to force himself onto Julian, Maximillian gleaned that Julian hadn't consented either.

With a click, the HoloDoc flickered off. Maximillian pushed himself out of his chair and strode towards the vast window behind him.

Julian had been truthful.

That was good.

The sole issue this contract presented was Lars Eisenhart's relentless pursuit of Julian Haas.

Their meeting on last Valentine's Day might temporarily deter him, but a permanent solution was needed. Maximillian needed a way to definitively close this chapter.

He thus went to talk to his superior, the Deputy General of the National Bureau of Security, Augustin Haberkorn.

"A bodyguard for Julian Haas?"

Augustin arched his brow at Maximillian.

"Why?"

Maximillian slid the HoloDoc in Augustin's direction.

"I have also forwarded you the email I got from Victor Lehmbach, complete with the investigation report for the case I personally raised."

Augustin gestured toward a chair.

"Sit, Agent Grant. While I am delighted that you stop at nothing to discover the truths behind the Eichwald psychiatric hospital's explosion case, I am starting to get worried about you."

Augustin narrowed his eyes at Maximillian and a meaningful smile hushed over his features.

"Are you maybe attracted to Julian Haas? I heard that he is a very charming young omega."

Not to mention that Maximillian Grant, this promising alpha subordinate of his, had yet to be tied to any omega.

Maximillian paused for a while before he answered, "His background and personality entice me to some extent, but that is not the reason I ask for a bodyguard. Based on past experience, I have reason to believe that he is in grave danger."

Augustin's smile grew wider.

"If that's the case, why don't you personally take care of him?"

"..."

"Think about it, Agent Grant. Alphas make the best bodyguards, but omegas are their greatest weaknesses. This is especially true for someone as exceptional as Julian Haas. Factor in his status as a protected witness in the bureau's explosion case, and you, Agent Grant, become the most ideal candidate to guarantee his safety."

Maximillian's jaw clenched tight. He typically wouldn't hesitate to accept such an assignment.

This time, unfortunately, he had to decline.

"I am sorry, Mr. Haberkorn," he said. "I cannot do it, but I shall pick the perfect bodyguard to watch over him."