Chapter 109: Self-Reflection

What gratified Sean the most was that Castle had developed a significant degree of self-preservation ability. Additionally, he had established a strong and reliable friendship with Gianna, the next heir of the D'Antonio family, one of the Twelve Heads of the High Table. Gianna owed Castle several substantial favors, which, combined with Castle's life-and-death friendship with John, meant that even if Sean were no longer around, Castle would have the means to handle unexpected dangers and threats with confidence.

Sean was acutely aware of the formidable and powerful adversary he had been hiding from for decades. He had avoided reuniting with Castle and Martha to prevent this enemy from discovering his weak spot. In the early years, when information was not as easily accessible, Sean was confident in keeping his son a secret. However, with the rapid advancement of technology and the explosion of data analytics in recent years, it became increasingly challenging to keep such secrets.

The proliferation of surveillance cameras and sophisticated data analysis tools made it nearly impossible to conceal one's movements and past. Sean knew that his adversary possessed terrifying information resources and integrative capabilities, making it crucial for Castle to have self-protection abilities as soon as possible.

This urgency prompted Sean to seize the opportunity to meet Castle in Paris under the pretense of helping Bryan. He aimed to assess Castle's current state. To Sean's surprise, Castle immediately recognized him, thwarting Sean's plan to remain hidden. Moreover, Castle seemed to possess information channels or abilities that even Sean was unaware of. When Castle accurately identified Sean's secret identity as a R.E.D. operative, Sean had to revise his plans and shift his focus to observing what surprises his son could bring him.

Castle's handling of the sudden visit from Santino to New York greatly satisfied Sean. It demonstrated Castle's ability to manage unexpected situations, strategize, and execute plans effectively. These abilities suggested that Castle could indeed protect himself in times of crisis, with the support of his friends.

Sean didn't expect Castle to assist him in confronting his old enemy. While Castle had proven capable in handling this incident, it didn't mean he was ready to face Sean's formidable adversary. At best, Castle could ensure his own safety. Counterattacking? That was still far off.

Sean's enemy was "Roxette," a super organization encompassing the majority of the CIA and numerous financial and political figures. Even Sean and the High Table, with its Twelve Heads, dared not provoke this behemoth, which had forced Sean into hiding.

Sean's hope for Castle was simply that he could protect himself without Sean's help. Anything beyond that was too much to hope for. Nonetheless, Castle's rapid growth and ability to handle recent events allowed Sean to relax a bit. From now on, he wouldn't have to worry excessively about Castle and could continue to ensure Martha and Alexis's safety through the High Table.

Castle was unaware of Sean's behind-the-scenes considerations. Even if he knew, there wasn't much he could change. However, there was one aspect Sean hadn't anticipated: Castle was no longer the same person. He was a time traveler who had watched countless movies and TV shows, familiar with many plot trajectories. Lacking the power to counterattack, he had the foresight to avoid trouble.

Contrary to Sean's worries, Castle wouldn't confront Sean's old adversary directly. Castle hadn't even acted rashly in Kate Beckett's mother's murder case. Until now, Beckett's trust in Castle wasn't enough for him to reveal the real mastermind behind the murder, Senator William Bracken.

Thus, Sean's concerns were both necessary and unnecessary.

Currently, Castle had no time to dwell on these matters. His primary focus was to continue gaining favor with Beckett and complete his main quest. The world's secrets were irrelevant to him.

Castle had a clear sense of his role: he wouldn't be a savior, as saviors typically ended up on the losing side. His philosophy was simple: don't provoke unless provoked, but if provoked, annihilate the enemy. His main goal was to win over Detective Beckett, with her long legs and model-like figure.

That was Richard "Lazy Prince" Castle's ultimate pursuit.

After hanging up with Sean, Castle sighed in satisfaction. Sean's pleased tone during the call encouraged Castle. Despite the flaws in his handling of the Santino incident, Sean found it overall satisfactory. Castle realized that, even though he had gained the special agent skills of Jason Bourne from the system, he still had a crucial weakness: the ability to flawlessly plan and strategize.

Currently, Castle's action skills were top-notch, but he was still a novice in strategy. He hoped that when he met Neal Caffrey, he might trigger a side quest from the system to gain Neal's expertise in planning and strategizing.

As Castle fantasized about filling this gap, Detective Beckett, who hadn't had a major case in days, was rushing to a crime scene in her patrol car.

Arriving at the NYPD Traffic Division's impound lot, Beckett remembered she hadn't informed her tagalong, Mr. Castle. Amused, she recalled her promise to him and decided to call him, knowing that if she didn't, he would be a nuisance.

The sudden ring of his phone startled Castle. Seeing it was Beckett, he assumed there must be a case. Delighted, he found an excuse to avoid writing. Investigating a murder case with Beckett took precedence over his novel.

"Hello, Detective Beckett. Are you inviting the great Castle to join you in a murder investigation?"

Hearing Castle's narcissistic and self-important tone, Beckett knew the trouble she'd avoided by calling him. Rolling her eyes, she suppressed her irritation. "I'm at the NYPD Traffic Division's impound lot. We found a several-days-old corpse in a towed Mercedes. This case is mine. Are you coming?"

"Yes, yes, yes! I'll change and be right there. Wait for me…"

Excited by the prospect of a new and interesting case, Castle quickly agreed, grabbed his coat, and dashed out the door.

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