Just like in the original film, Anna had planned to seduce the CIA officer handling her and her direct superior in the FSB—the very man who had recruited her.
Jack genuinely felt sorry for her.
Anna wasn't someone who had willingly thrown herself into this kind of life.
Even when she was at rock bottom, she had clung to hope—sending out résumés, searching for a real job, desperately trying to escape her bleak situation.
For someone with such strong willpower to be forced into using her body as a last resort?
It spoke volumes about how ruthless both the FSB and CIA could be.
"They're not high-ranking enough," Frank stated flatly.
He didn't even bother critiquing the feasibility of her plan. He simply pointed out the core issue.
"Even if you manage to extract classified data from their laptops while in bed, even if you successfully blackmail them—even if they cave to your demands—neither of them has the authority to set you free."
At that moment, Jack's mind was running a mile a minute.
The current timeline hadn't yet reached the part where the CIA reveals its real reason for trying to turn Anna.
In the original story, the film was set in 1990, and back then, the FSB was still called the KGB.
Vasilev wasn't just some high-ranking FSB officer—
He was the director of the KGB.
And here's where things got insane.
The CIA ordered Anna to assassinate him.
And not only did she succeed—
She fought her way out afterward, escaping in a getaway car, disappearing right under the government's nose.
Jack had no idea how that made any sense.
If Anna was that capable, she wouldn't need to worry about being controlled or hunted.
She'd just shave her head, tattoo a barcode on her skull, and become Agent 47's partner.
But it did confirm Frank's earlier statement—
Anna was nothing more than a pawn.
She didn't have access to real intelligence.
And the CIA saw her as no different from the FSB.
Frank gestured for the teary-eyed Anna to calm down, then turned to Jack.
"How far do you want me to go? Dead or alive?"
Jack didn't hesitate.
"Both."
The others looked surprised.
He elaborated, "Erasing Anna's files from the FSB is just a means to an end. But what is true freedom?"
Turning to Anna, he asked, "Have you even thought about what you'll do once you're free?
Describe your dream life—the one you've fantasized about countless times."
Anna opened her mouth.
"A little wooden house by the sea…"
Halfway through her sentence, she froze.
Her lips parted, but she couldn't continue.
"Looks like we need to talk," Jack said.
"But we can save that for after you get your freedom. By then, I hope you've found your answer—because it concerns your…"
Before he could finish, Anna blurted out:
"I'll give up everything for freedom—my body, my life—everything is yours."
Jack sighed.
This girl was way too extreme.
"I don't need another woman," he said bluntly.
"I'm not some soulless capitalist trying to exploit you.
And if your life belongs to me, then where is your freedom?"
Anna looked stunned.
His words made too much sense.
If she "gave up everything" for freedom, wasn't she just changing masters?
Instead of being controlled by the FSB or CIA, she'd just be serving Jack instead.
That was no different from a worker switching jobs—except she was just hoping her new boss would be nicer.
"I do want to recruit you," Jack admitted.
"Or at least offer you a job.
Because freedom has a price.
That little beachfront cabin you want?
You'll need money for that.
But I want you to choose this job, not be forced into it."
He leaned forward.
"I don't need you to kill for me.
I don't need you to sell your dignity or your body.
And I certainly don't want to be the obstacle in your pursuit of freedom.
There's no such thing as absolute freedom.
Everyone's idea of freedom is different.
Once you figure out what you really want—
Then we can revisit this conversation."
He smiled.
"Until then, we'll help you escape the FSB and CIA.
We'll wipe your records.
We'll give you a new identity.
You'll be able to live in the sunlight again.
And after all that—
If my offer still interests you?
You can call me.
Or, you can just disappear.
Your choice."
Anna was stunned.
This offer was too good to be true.
In her entire life, aside from her parents, she had never encountered such pure kindness.
Of course, Jack wasn't being charitable.
But history had proven—
An act of kindness could easily turn into resentment.
Thinking you could buy loyalty just by doing favors?
That only happened in bad novels.
Jack wasn't some evil mastermind.
He wasn't obsessed with controlling people.
Micromanaging loyalty was just too much work.
And with someone like Anna—
He had zero reason to trust her yet.
So instead, he took the gardener's approach—
Plant the seeds.
Nurture them.
And see what grows.
Even Frank and Bryan looked shocked at Jack's speech.
Frank, being the oldest and most experienced, was the first to catch on.
His gaze turned thoughtful.
"Give me a moment," he said, standing up.
Taking the last bottle of good wine, he left to make some phone calls.
Bryan stood and shook Jack's hand.
"I have a feeling you might be the best boss I'll ever have."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "I thought we were already friends."
Bryan laughed heartily—his normally hardened, war-weathered face softening for the first time.
At that moment, Castle came down from the attic.
"Did I miss something interesting?"
"How are the girls?" Jack asked.
"Alexis is the bravest and strongest girl I've ever met," Castle said proudly.
"She'll be fine.
Kim is doing better too.
But they both told me—
They never want to come back to Paris."
Jack chuckled.
"Looks like someone's Christmas vacation plans just got canceled."
Castle made a face.
"She wants to go to Hawaii instead."
Jack's smile froze.
For years, "Uncle Danny" had been nagging him to visit Hawaii.
And every time, something came up.
One year, he had booked his tickets—
Then his house blew up because of Emily.
But deep down, Jack had always felt a little hesitant about visiting.
It wasn't his family—it was his original body's family.
Still, he wasn't someone who ran from things forever.
Eventually, he'd have to face it.
Castle reached for a drink—
Only to find empty bottles everywhere.
Jack smirked and pointed toward the wine cellar.
——
When Frank returned, he found even more empty bottles.
And Castle?
Passed out on the couch.
Frank shook his head in exasperation.
Turning to Anna, he asked—
"Do you know Katya Petrovna?"
Anna's eyes widened in respect.
"General Petrovna?
She's a legend among us."
Frank smirked.
"Well, starting tomorrow—
You'll be temporarily assigned to her."
______
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