Book I. Utilizing an unusual tactic to contact him, MI6 enlists an American in a clandestine venture in Jamaica with the CIA. There the American undertakes a counter-intuitive effort to dislodge the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from increasing influence in the Caribbean pursuant to its Belt and Road Initiative. His efforts result in wrenching away from the Chinese a Jamaican bauxite mine and refinery. He finds himself in a relationship with a female Chinese superstar, possibly a member of the CCP, who complicates his relationship with his English fiancée.

Book II. Mysteriously the American is reassigned to Harvard College to ferret out nanoscientific work that has been appropriated by the CCP with the alleged aid of one or more Harvard professors. In the midst of his assignment the US Supreme Court unexpectedly grants review of the Chinese discrimination case against Harvard prompting unrest. Upon Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the intelligence services enlist the American's assistance in obtaining information from Russian and Ukrainian students. As part of his remit the American acts to counteract Chinese mafia sale of drugs in Boston. An attempt to repatriate a brilliant Chinese nanoscientist who wishes to remain in the U.S. outrages the Chinese superstar causing her to reconsider her future and raises the existential question of the American's engagement.