The motorcade drove away from Mar-a-Lago.
At its center was a heavily protected Tesla sedan.
Any wealthy person in the United States, especially someone famous, would face considerable danger without professional security.
As the richest man in the world, Elon Musk naturally maintained extremely tight protection.
After the assassination attempt on the former president, he had increased his security spending even further.
Now, after hearing from Toru that the CIA itself had been involved in the plot, Elon Musk's heart pounded with unease.
This was probably one of the reasons he had previously been unwilling to involve himself in politics.
Once you stepped into the political quagmire, you had to choose a side.
Choose correctly, and you could rise to even greater heights. Choose incorrectly, and you might fall into the abyss.
Sometimes, the more power someone possessed, the more cautious they became. They could end up living less freely than a wealthy man who simply spent his days indulging himself.
Suddenly, the motorcade came to a stop.
Elon Musk, sitting inside the Tesla, was startled and immediately asked what had happened.
"Boss, a Range Rover has stopped in front of us and is blocking the road."
The security officer spoke while already placing a hand near his waist.
Elon Musk looked through the window and saw a Range Rover blocking the motorcade.
The bodyguards in the lead vehicle had already stepped out and were preparing to investigate.
At that moment, the driver's window of the Range Rover rolled down, revealing a blond man.
The man waved toward Elon Musk's vehicle.
It was Toru in disguise.
Seeing that it was him, Elon Musk breathed a sigh of relief.
Toru called out from a distance, "Mr. Musk, would you like to have a private conversation? You may choose the location."
The driver glanced at his employer through the rearview mirror.
Elon Musk considered it for a moment, then nodded.
"Drive. We'll go to the private club I usually use."
The driver nodded, picked up the radio, and instructed the motorcade to continue.
Toru followed behind them to an exclusive private club in Florida.
Only the truly wealthy could gain membership there. The organization maintained locations throughout the United States, providing members with secure places to discuss business or stay during emergencies.
The club was extremely discreet, and its security was strict.
Toru was not a member, but as the world's richest man and an important supporter of the former president, Elon Musk could naturally bring in any guest he wanted.
The club's interior was lavish and covered in gold, exactly the kind of style the former president favored.
The moment Toru stepped inside, he began to suspect that the former president might have invested in the place.
Elon Musk arranged for them to use a private meeting room.
The staff served premium black tea and pastries prepared by a renowned chef.
After arriving there, Elon Musk gradually calmed down and regained the decisive, efficient manner expected of a technology magnate.
Of course, if he had seen the file Burns had given the former president about Toru, he probably would not have remained so calm.
The security here was practically meaningless to Toru.
If he wanted to, he could eliminate everyone inside and leave without difficulty.
For the wealthy and powerful, the most frightening kind of person was someone who could ignore all barriers and strike from close range.
"Mr. Adam, you blocked my motorcade. What exactly do you want to discuss?"
Elon Musk was not a politician by nature. Had circumstances not forced him into politics, he would have preferred to stay away from it.
He spoke directly and without unnecessary pleasantries, displaying the typical impatience of a technology executive who disliked wasting time.
Toru appreciated that style because he was much the same.
With a smile, Toru took out a brown envelope and pushed it across the table.
"Mr. Musk, I think you should look at this."
Elon Musk accepted the envelope with some confusion, opened it, and removed an A4 sheet of paper.
He quickly began reading.
The further he read, the more tightly his brows furrowed.
After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Is this a biological research report?"
Although Elon Musk had a strong background in science and engineering, he did not understand every field.
At the very least, he could not truly interpret the biological data in the report. He could only understand the summarized conclusions.
"That's right."
"Life sciences..." Elon Musk looked at him. "Mr. Adam, are you researching ways to extend the human lifespan?"
He paused before adding, "No, the report goes even further. It's discussing immortality."
A faint trace of mockery entered his voice.
"I think I understand what you want, Mr. Adam. You're looking for investment."
"I don't know how much you know about me, but I have publicly said that I'm not interested in researching human immortality. In fact, I believe that kind of research could eventually destroy humanity."
He paused, then continued, "If you're looking for funding, Mr. Adam, I suggest approaching Bill Gates and people like him."
"They're extremely enthusiastic about projects like this. Every year, they spend tens of billions of dollars funding laboratories around the world, hoping to extend their own lives."
"If your research impresses them, I doubt they'll be stingy about investing."
Toru listened to Elon Musk's comments with a smile.
Although the mockery in his words was restrained, it was still obvious.
Elon Musk was not aligned with Bill Gates and the others. In fact, he clearly disliked them.
Toru was not offended. He simply chuckled.
"Mr. Musk, you shouldn't speak in such absolute terms. You're only in your fifties. In many ways, you're still young."
"I don't believe you're truly uninterested in extending the human lifespan or achieving immortality. Fear of death is part of human nature."
"When someone possesses the power and resources to challenge death itself, I don't believe they would ignore the greatest pursuit humanity has ever known."
"Perhaps you truly feel that way now. Maybe you're genuinely uninterested in immortality."
"But that is only because you're still too young."
"In another ten years, or twenty, when you're old and frail, when even walking becomes difficult and the fear of death weighs on your heart every day, will you truly remain uninterested in immortality?"
Toru clasped his hands, leaned back in his chair, and crossed his legs.
"Perhaps, Mr. Musk, you're simply not interested in extending life through biology."
"Perhaps what interests you is another path. The flesh is weak, and machines are the future."
"To be honest, I don't know enough about you to determine whether your brain-computer interface projects and plans for Mars exist mainly to raise stock prices, or whether you truly believe in those ideals."
"But even if increasing market value is your primary goal, I believe some part of you genuinely longs for those dreams."
"The stars have always represented the ultimate frontier for mankind. And unlike most people, Mr. Musk, you genuinely possess the ability to pursue it."
Toru picked up the tea in front of him and took a sip.
"Those entrenched institutions keep using one excuse after another to obstruct your experiments."
"Isn't that one of the reasons you support our former president? Because those people have finally pushed you too far?"
"Adam, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Elon Musk's mockery disappeared, and his expression became serious.
"Let's work together, Mr. Musk."
"You probably can't fully understand this biological report. Take it back and show it to experts. Let them explain how valuable it truly is."
"I'm also interested in technologies that can enhance the human body, including brain-computer interfaces. I share your interest in space as well."
"We should cooperate and work together to shape humanity's future."
"Mr. Musk, don't assume I lack the qualifications."
"Behind me stands an enormous and highly secretive organization."
"Given your position, you should have heard rumors about the projects certain old financial dynasties have quietly supported over the past several decades."
Toru smiled faintly.
"My organization is much like the Knights Templar of old. It possesses immense wealth and influence, yet very few people even know it exists."
(To be continued.)