"You got the results so quickly?" A week later, when Hao Jianguo handed over the investigation results to Huang He, the boss asked in surprise.
"Yes, our people were quite lucky. On the first day the staff began their investigation and tracking, they discovered Andy Rubin meeting someone privately!" About a week later, Hao Jianguo reported to Huang He.
"Did you find out what they were saying?" Huang He asked, frowning.
"Well, because it was the first day the mission was assigned, many things and tools weren't ready. At that time, the investigation agency only sent one person to follow. Although they carried listening devices, they couldn't find a suitable opportunity to place them."
"Andy Rubin was very vigilant. As soon as anyone approached them, the two would fall silent. When the delivery person wanted to deliver the food, Andy Rubin would personally accept it, quickly finish eating, and then return the tableware. So, there wasn't even a chance to install a listening device on the tableware!" Hao Jianguo explained.
"So you didn't find out anything?" Huang He said with some frustration.
"Not entirely. Although they couldn't install listening devices, our people couldn't get too close either. However, they were all wearing devices similar to hearing aids, which could amplify the volume of speech and also had noise-canceling functions. So, these two people managed to overhear some of their conversation."
"Oh! What did they say?" Huang He immediately asked.
"It was about transferring patents!" Hao Jianguo immediately said. "Andy Rubin must have sensed an uneasy atmosphere. He was eager to transfer the patents he held, so he was discussing it with this person. However, they seemed to have some disagreements, and they talked for several hours without reaching an agreement. It was only at the end that they seemed to have reached some consensus."
"Jianguo! You've done a great service!" Huang He exclaimed excitedly upon hearing this. "These conversations at least show one thing: as of that day, Andy Rubin hadn't managed to transfer the technical patents. This means the relevant technology hasn't entered the patent application stage. If we are fast enough, we can get the patent list and apply for patents immediately to get ahead of our competitors and reclaim our patents!"
"Yes, this is indeed good news!" Hao Jianguo agreed.
"Then, Jianguo, you should have also figured out the remaining information, right? Who is the force behind this, and have you obtained that crucial patent list?" Huang He asked impatiently.
"Yes, boss. The investigation company immediately investigated the identity of that mysterious person and found that he worked for another investigation company. We then investigated the background of this company and found that although its background is quite clean, it appears to be a sole proprietorship.
"However, this company has had long-term cooperation with Lehman Brothers, assisting Lehman Brothers with various commercial investigations almost since its inception. In addition, this company also serves other clients. We have identified seven potential forces, with Lehman Brothers still being the most likely.
"Secondly, there's Microsoft, Intel... and finally, Goldman Sachs!" Hao Jianguo said.
"Are there any other leads you couldn't find?"
"Yes, that's what I'm about to discuss next. We have focused our investigation on all possible places where Andy Rubin might hide the patent list. The possibility of it being within the company has been ruled out first. Our people in Android have checked all the company's databases, and they haven't found anything related to the patent list!"
"Next, we investigated Andy Rubin's activities. Besides his home, there are three coffee shops he frequents, two restaurants, a gym, a Qs club, and so on, totaling nine regular locations."
"In addition, we also investigated all his social relationships, close friends, and family. We also found out that he has a mistress named Anna, and this Anna might also hold the patent list."
"We have conducted covert searches in these places and have ruled out the vast majority of possibilities. The only places that remain uncertain are Andy Rubin's home, his parents' home, Anna's possession, and a private storage space that might be hidden online."
"And it was during this investigation that we unexpectedly discovered that opposite Andy Rubin's house, two people were monitoring his home. According to visits to neighbors, these people have been living there for over half a year, living like a normal couple. This is not a spur-of-the-moment investigation, but long-term surveillance, likely from the behind-the-scenes force monitoring Andy Rubin!"
"We managed to obtain the phone records of this household and found that 80% of the numbers are for a location on Newland Street. There aren't many large companies on this street. If we have to mention anything, a Lehman Brothers branch is located here!"
"Are you implying that Lehman Brothers is the mastermind behind this?" Huang He asked in a low voice.
"No, I don't know either. This investigation company also dares not to be certain. They just presented all the investigation results to me, and I am relaying them to you!" Hao Jianguo said.
"Those cunning fellows!" Huang He cursed, then shook his head. "Never mind, we can basically confirm it's Lehman Brothers. You need to continue entrusting this company to investigate, and at the same time, discreetly screen the company internally to identify everyone associated with Lehman Brothers."
"Lehman Brothers absolutely wouldn't have placed only one pawn within our group. I suspect there are numerous pawns within the company, and even some high-level executives might be their pawns. We absolutely cannot tolerate such a destructive element staying in the company!"
"Yes!" Hao Jianguo's voice trembled slightly, though it was hard to discern.
"So boss, what should we do about the patent list? Should we continue this discreet investigation?" Hao Jianguo asked.
"No, discretion is meaningless now. Andy Rubin has already reacted. Directly dispatch forces to search all suspicious locations. You will go and talk to Andy Rubin tomorrow morning and keep him firmly at the company, preventing him from leaving."
"At the same time, signal jamming equipment should be installed within the company, and the phone lines should be disconnected to cut off all other communication between the company and the outside world. The investigators should take advantage of this opportunity to conduct forceful searches of all suspicious locations. Don't worry about being discovered; I only want this patent list!"
"Tell our people not to fear legal risks. If they get caught, I will hire the best lawyers for them. If they are sentenced, I will give them $1,000 per day for every day they are imprisoned, ensuring they won't want to get out of prison!"
"Understood!" Hao Jianguo said forcefully. "With your words, boss, we know what to do."
"Go. This is the most critical moment for our company. If we cannot obtain this patent list, then the company's investment of several hundred million dollars will be in vain. Furthermore, we will lose a terrifying market worth hundreds of billions of dollars in the future. This is a loss our company absolutely cannot bear!"
"I know!" Hao Jianguo hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and then turned to report the entire conversation to the old man.
"It seems Huang He has fallen into the trap!" The old man sighed after listening to Hao Jianguo's report. But then he asked somewhat suspiciously, "Could Huang He be putting on a show with us? Could he have discovered something?"
"No, I believe this possibility is almost zero because everything I said is the truth, not a single word is false, and every word is worth scrutinizing and investigating. Huang He will definitely not find any problems with it!"
"Besides, Huang He is certain to have an extremely high demand for the patent list. It's very normal for him to take risks for this list!" Hao Jianguo said, then added, "Unless Huang He has long known everything and is aware of all our plans and actions, he won't be able to find any flaws!"
"That's right, it seems I was overthinking!" The old man nodded. "Then let's continue with the mission as planned, and remember to give Huang He some surprises!"
"Understood!" Hao Jianguo hung up the phone and immediately began to act. The next morning, as soon as Andy Rubin arrived at the company, he saw Hao Jianguo sitting in his office.
Andy Rubin sensed that something was amiss. He had previously issued strict orders that without his permission, no one, not even people from the head office, was allowed into the company's premises; they were to wait in the company's reception hall. He had told others to meet him in his own office.
But now, Hao Jianguo was directly in his office, which meant that the people he had placed in the company had likely been controlled by Hao Jianguo, preventing them from having a chance to tip him off in advance.
"Where are you going?" As Andy Rubin was about to leave, two burly bodyguards immediately blocked him and unceremoniously pushed him back into the office, then firmly closed the door, giving Andy Rubin no chance to leave!
"Hao Jianguo, what are you doing? This is an illegal intrusion!" Andy Rubin shouted angrily.
"Illegal intrusion? What a joke! This is a subsidiary of Jiangnan Group. Every office, every desk here is the property of the group. As the head of the group in the US, I have the right to appear in any office here. I am the owner here. In fact, with just one word from me, you are the one who should leave this office!"
"Fine, then I'll leave!" Andy Rubin tried to leave again, but it was in vain. He couldn't even open the door and finally looked at Hao Jianguo with a hint of fear in his eyes. "Hao Jianguo, let me go quickly, or I'll call someone!"
"Go ahead and call. But the soundproofing in your office is quite good. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will hear you!" Hao Jianguo said, enjoying the moment as he delivered the classic line.