Chapter 404 Perfect Answer

It was the first time Jarrett and the others had seen Tilda this angry.

Everyone froze for a moment, then voices rose one after another.

“Yes, we stand with Queen!”

“The Rosales Foundation is innocent. We’ll never attack them!”

“Even if we stay as just a private group, that’s still better than crossing the line and living like hollow shells!”

“We don’t need that data vault anyway!”

“Hahaha…”

Benedict suddenly laughed. He even started clapping his hands.

“What are you laughing at?”

Tilda frowned, barely showing it.

Anyone else would think Benedict was mocking them—seeing them as too young and naive to throw away such a golden chance just because of pride.

But Tilda felt something different. His laugh didn’t carry mockery at all.

It felt more like… approval?

“You’ve passed the test, Comet Squad.

“As promised, you’ll have full independence. Your work won’t be much different from before.

“You’ll also get national-level support, and we’ll give you access to the national data vault.

“Of course, higher-level clearance in the vault has to be unlocked through your achievements. That’s part of the deal.”

His sudden words left everyone stunned.

Tilda narrowed her eyes, a dangerous gleam flashing there. “What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said,” Benedict replied calmly. “Back when you hacked into the Hotel Morloss network and solved an international crisis that shocked the world, you already proved your strength.

“That case stumped the cyber security centers of multiple countries. So in terms of ability, you’re the best. No doubt about it.

“There’s no mission too hard for you. But this trial wasn’t about skill–it was about whether you’d hold your ground in a critical moment, whether you’d stick to your bottom line and not waver.

“Like Wesley said, once you touch the national vault, we can’t guarantee you won’t leak anything. This wasn’t about ability—it was about character.”

“I see.”

The misunderstanding cleared. Tilda finally understood his real purpose.

“For hackers, a national-level data vault, full independence, and access to national resources—that’s an almost irresistible temptation.

“You dangled it like bait, just to see what we’d do, didn’t you?”

“Exactly. And your answer was perfect. Wesley, you have nothing to say after seeing their choice, right?”

Benedict smiled and glanced at Wesley.

“We’ll see about the future,” Wesley muttered with a scowl.

At least for now, Comet Squad had been flawless. The future? That would be another problem for another time.

“Then it’s settled,” Benedict said. “Queen, congratulations. Comet Squad is officially part of the Cetherland National Cyber Security Center. You’ll be our most special task force.

“You’re welcome to visit headquarters if you’d like. But I suppose you’d rather stay in your own base and keep your freedom, right?”

“Yes! Thank you, Mr. Benedict!”

“But let me be clear. Letting you in under these terms is an incredible concession. If Comet Squad causes any problems, you’ll carry the full responsibility. And as the one who approved your demand, I’ll also resign if it goes wrong!”

“Benedict!”

Wesley’s face showed pure shock. He wanted to argue, but Benedict raised his hand and stopped him.

“Thank you, Mr. Benedict,” Tilda said firmly. “I believe my squad would never do anything to harm this country. If I didn’t trust their hearts and their vision, I wouldn’t have built Comet Squad in the first place. I’d have gone solo.”

Her eyes shimmered with determination.

Jarrett and the others were moved by her faith in them.

This woman–this “idol”–had led them over countless peaks. She had brought them to heights they’d never dreamed of.

Without Tilda, they would have stayed just another small private group, their skills never pushing forward.

Without her, they never would’ve earned the nation’s recognition or saved the world from disaster.

Tilda was like a blazing light cutting through the darkness, guiding them to a future they couldn’t see before.

They trusted her completely.

And what made them even prouder–someone so strong, so confident, so brilliant—trusted them just as much.