Reborn as an American Writer

Castle couldn't help but laugh and cry as he looked at the chubby guy, who was practically drooling over the sleek body of the Gulfstream G550. "What are you planning to do with a plane like this? Park it on your lawn? Never mind that you don't have a pilot's license or the skills to fly it, even if you did, what would you do with it? Use it as a house decoration?"

The homebody chubby guy wasn't seeing the Gulfstream G550 for the first time, but his previous encounters had only been through pictures on a computer screen. This was his first time seeing the real thing, and that first glance left him deeply enamored with the plane.

Hearing Castle's sarcastic comments, the chubby guy wasn't angry. Instead, he eagerly asked, "Uncle Rick, if I can't afford the whole plane right now, can I buy an empty one first?"

"Damn..." Castle was stunned by the chubby guy's thinking. "Do you think buying a plane is like DIY-ing a computer? Buy an engine today, order a wing tomorrow? The real cost isn't just the purchase; it's in the storage, hiring a flight crew, and maintenance! And what would you do with it? Even I don't need a private jet, and you're a homebody. Do you plan to travel the world all the time? Don't you want to continue being a promising homebody? Get on the plane already; you'll have plenty of time to study it once we're in the air. Haven't you noticed the flight attendants' smiles are about to falter? You hillbilly..."

The chubby guy, still infatuated with the Gulfstream G550, reluctantly boarded the plane after Castle gave him a kick. Castle handed a small bag to one of the flight attendants to stow away, then comfortably sank into the luxurious seat, casually asking for a whiskey to enjoy his private flight back to New York.

The chubby guy, after putting down his laptop bag and luggage, began to explore the plane's interior like a country bumpkin visiting a grand estate. One of the flight attendants, always smiling, softly explained the plane's features in English. She could tell this chubby guy was a genuine IT homebody, and the real big spender was the man lounging like a lord in the seat. From their conversation, it was clear that the older man had brought the younger one to Rio for a bit of fun and to broaden his horizons.

The flight attendant, experienced in dealing with various types of passengers, had overheard their conversation before they boarded. She wasn't surprised that the plain-looking chubby guy wanted to buy a Gulfstream G550 since the apparent big spender hadn't dismissed his whimsical idea. If the older man didn't think the chubby guy couldn't afford such a plane, what did that mean? It meant that this thick-glassed chubby guy really might be able to buy a Gulfstream G550!

Realizing this, the flight attendant's smile became more genuine. This chubby guy seemed like a high-value target. If she could charm him, she might have a shot at becoming a wealthy man's wife. Even if she couldn't, it wouldn't be hard to win over a clear homebody like him. She resolved to make the most of this flight to see if she could attract the chubby guy.

Castle, observing from the sidelines, was unaware of the flight attendant's intentions. Even if he knew, he wouldn't interfere because the chubby guy was no longer the innocent person he was twenty days ago. After spending nearly a month with Castle, who had a knack for mischief, the chubby guy had learned the art of playing dumb while actually being sharp.

Moreover, the chubby guy had formed close bonds with at least ten ladies from various countries on Rio's beaches during the past month. He was no longer the same person. The flight attendant's little schemes might not fare well against the now cunning chubby guy, who had become quite adept at playing the field.

Especially considering the chubby guy had just spent a night partying hard with several international beauties, forming bonds that went beyond mere friendship. He was now like a limp shrimp, with no strength left even if he wanted to respond.

After the pilot performed a final check post-boarding, the plane prepared for takeoff. The chubby guy finished his tour and sat obediently in his seat, waiting for the plane to ascend. Finally coming down from his excitement, the fatigue from last night's revelry and the early morning wake-up call by Castle began to show. Not long after the plane took off, he succumbed to his exhaustion and fell asleep in his seat.

Castle ignored the disappointed looks from the two flight attendants who hoped for some interaction with him or the chubby guy. He reclined comfortably in his seat, half-closing his eyes as he organized his thoughts.

The excitement in Brazil was over, and he could still keep an eye on Dominic and others through the chubby guy. If there was another big drama, Castle could always rush over to watch the show, thanks to the chubby guy's reports.

This trip to Brazil also made Castle realize that he wasn't cut out for tactical maneuvers. If he stayed out of it, the destined heroes would sort things out themselves. But whenever he got involved, the plot would deviate unpredictably.

So, Castle decided his biggest takeaway from Brazil was recognizing his role: he was a massive disruptor.

With foreknowledge of the plot, he could sit back and watch the fun without getting directly involved. His newfound plan was to enjoy being a behind-the-scenes puppet master without overstepping.

Now, what lay ahead for him?

Vincent Adler!

This guy had the music box for a while and must have prepared based on its secrets. Vincent, who had dreamed since childhood of finding the sunken U-845 submarine off the coast of New York, was likely ready or already back in New York.

A month ago, Castle might have been worried about this, as his police duties with Beckett took up a lot of his time. But now, after corrupting the chubby guy into a mini-version of himself, eager for chaos, Castle had the perfect candidate to monitor Vincent. The homebody chubby guy was now a valuable asset.

Castle didn't plan to deceive the chubby guy. He intended to explain the entire situation and potential rewards, igniting the chubby guy's enthusiasm. After all, teaming up with Uncle Rick to take on the biggest Ponzi scheme fraudster in the USA, combined with the mystery of a WWII German submarine and treasure, was bound to excite him.

Especially since the chubby guy seemed interested in the Gulfstream G550. Once Castle and Neal obtained the treasure, a small share could easily grant the chubby guy's wish for a private jet. Castle believed in rewarding those who helped him.

This plan not only solved the problem of monitoring Vincent around the clock but also added a skilled hacker to their side. Castle could detach himself from Vincent's case, knowing Vincent would likely monitor Castle, considering him an unstable factor.

With the chubby guy handling surveillance, Castle could openly continue his routine with Beckett, making Vincent believe he and Neal were unaware of the music box's secrets.

Of course, making someone as cunning as Vincent believe this wouldn't be easy, but it was worth a shot. Castle planned to discuss this with Neal as soon as they returned to New York to get his input.

The flight back to New York was uneventful. Castle and the chubby guy, under the watchful eyes of the disappointed flight attendants, slept through the journey.

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