Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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24.
Click. The moment Noel pressed the button, light flooded the space. The shop’s emptiness became starkly visible.
“Stand over there by the wall.”
Camera in hand, Noel gestured toward the white wall. Hee-ju walked to it as she explained.
“This is Noel’s real profession. She’s the best in the field, so you can trust her completely. We’ve asked for her help more than once.”
Flash. The camera captured its shot.
Satisfied with what she saw through the viewfinder, Noel turned her attention to Liam.
Liam walked toward the wall as he spoke.
“Weren’t you supposed to be handling Europe?”
Flash.
“Until last year, I covered North America. This year a vacancy opened up in Europe, so I was reassigned.”
“To which team lead?”
Flash.
“Yes.”
Flash.
“You said this was your first time in America.”
“Just because I covered North America doesn’t mean I had to go to America. My role was to support field operations from an office position.”
“Ah, right. You were desk work.”
“Hey, could you close your mouth? Look straight ahead, not at me. Is this your first time getting photographed?”
Noel pouted as she checked the camera, finally prompting Liam to face forward.
Flash.
“That’s enough?”
“Hmm. Well, more or less.”
Noel nodded and opened the door.
“Won’t take long. Fifteen minutes. Can you watch the shop for me while I’m gone?”
“Of course.”
“If anyone comes in, just……kick them out.”
Hee-ju was about to point out that watching the shop meant nothing if she ejected all customers, but the door had already closed. She gave a light shrug.
As she pulled up a chair to sit, Liam hoisted himself onto the bar, crossing his arms. He raised an eyebrow, then let it fall.
“There’s something unusual about her.”
“Who……. Oh, Noel?”
Hee-ju lowered her voice, eyes on the closed door.
“She’s a genius.”
“A genius?”
“She hacked the school district’s high school system when she was fourteen.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed. Hee-ju laughed lightly, as if she’d expected as much.
“Noel’s grandfather worked with us. Or rather, not just us—but Victor’s an expert in this field. One of the best.”
“This field being……forged identification cards?”
Hee-ju nodded.
“It was two years ago. Victor got a call. His granddaughter was in trouble and asked if he could help.”
“In trouble?”
“She’d sabotaged the high school admissions of some kids who were bullying her. It was a famous private school—the kind only the wealthy attend. There was a complicated incident behind it all, but because of that incident, we got contacted, and I ended up handling the cleanup.”
“And the result?”
“Probation.”
“How old is she now?”
“Probably sixteen. She got caught at fourteen, but apparently she’d been breaking into the education system since she was twelve.”
“I see.”
Liam’s expression grew distant, his gaze dropping. Hee-ju added a note.
“When she focuses on something, she doesn’t see what’s around her. Her social skills are a bit lacking. That’s how she becomes a target at school. You know how brutal kids that age can be to someone weaker than them.”
“Tunnel vision and poor social skills. Classic traits of genius.”
“Exactly.”
Hee-ju gazed at the closed door with unmistakable affection.
“Do you worry about her?”
Worry about her? A bitter smile crossed Hee-ju’s face.
“It’s like watching a child ride a bicycle on the verge of toppling. How could anyone not worry?”
“You’re not projecting yourself onto her?”
…….
For a moment, all expression drained from Hee-ju’s face. When she looked back at Liam, her eyes had turned cold.
Their eyes met, and Liam gave a light shrug.
Hee-ju didn’t understand why she was suddenly so angry. Liam had a gift for igniting her fuse with an offhand comment, and her explosion always followed without fail.
Even knowing that getting angry would only prove his point, Hee-ju’s voice turned sharp.
“I forgot again, didn’t I. Sherlock Holmes.”
“All done.”
Just then, Noel emerged from the back room and handed Liam the identification card. He stood as if nothing had happened.
Liam asked Noel a question.
“Have you heard anything about the Russian Mafia operating in this area?”
“No. I’m not good with rumors—I always hear gossip last, even about myself. The Russian Mafia? Should I look into it?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Liam and Hee-ju answered simultaneously. Noel looked between them, uncertain whose instruction to follow.
Liam glanced at Hee-ju. She fixed him with a hard stare and warned quietly.
“Don’t involve Noel in this.”
“But it’s all right to involve you?”
Hee-ju turned to Noel as if she hadn’t heard him.
“Can I borrow some cash? I’ll pay you back soon. So……. I’m not sure exactly when, but soon.”
“How much do you need?”
Without hesitation, Noel went into the back room and opened the safe. Watching her, Hee-ju smiled faintly.
“What was the fourth item on the memo I gave you?”
“When someone’s acting overly friendly, suspect their motives.”
“Do you remember the sub-point under that?”
“Of course. Especially if they ask to borrow money, be suspicious one hundred percent of the time.”
Noel’s smug expression flickered back to suspicion.
“But you’re you.”
“That’s true. I am. But you should still be suspicious once in a while. Even if I’m me, I could approach you with bad intentions.”
“How do I tell the difference?”
“That’s the hard part, isn’t it? In that case, it’s best to always say you don’t have any money. Tell them business is slow.”
“Understood. Business has been slow, so I don’t have money—but I’ll lend it to you anyway.”
Hee-ju raised both hands in defeat and accepted the cash.
Noel was like a newly hatched chick, following the first kind person she’d met without question.
“Thanks.”
As Hee-ju carefully tucked the money into her bag, Liam asked a question.
“Do you have a car?”
Noel immediately furrowed her brow.
“Do you know how many traffic accidents happen in San Francisco every day? How many are fatal? How many are caused by autonomous vehicles? A car is basically a portable time bomb. There’s no way I’d own one.”
“I see.”
Liam’s expression twisted. Hee-ju chuckled softly, shouldered her bag, and turned to Noel.
“I’ll be going then.”
“Is there anything else I can help with?”
“No. That’s plenty.”
Hee-ju waved and stepped out through the glass door. As if she’d just remembered something, she added a parting remark.
“Oh, did you get a mobile phone?”
“Yeah. Grandfather bought it for me.”
“Can you give me your number?”
Noel rattled off the digits, and Hee-ju pressed the call button. Noel’s phone vibrated.
Hee-ju ended the call.
“That’s my number. It’s a temporary line, but save it for now.”
“Wow, you’re only the second person saved in my phone! I didn’t have any other numbers besides Grandfather’s.”
Hee-ju gave Liam another pointed stare. He caught the meaning and carefully dialed the number she’d just given him.
Noel’s phone vibrated again.
“That’s my number.”
“Wow, two people in one day!”
Noel saved the number with obvious delight, tail-wagging with joy, and looked up at Liam.
“What should I save your name as?”
“Liam.”
“I have to tell Grandfather that I’ve made two friends. Well, technically I’ve had one since before, but still.”
“If Natalina, Megan, or Masha show up, call me right away.”
“Why?”
“So I can kill them before they kill you.”
Hee-ju delivered the chilling words with a radiant smile. Liam raised an eyebrow in amusement.
“Understood.”
“I’ll come find you when I’m done. Let’s grab something to eat.”
“Sounds good.”
“Let’s go.”
Hee-ju cast a final glance at Liam before leaving the shop. The bell above the door chimed softly as it closed.
Until the door shut completely, Noel kept her eyes on them both.
***
The two of them had rented a common sedan and parked it some distance from her father’s house.
Liam’s hands rested on the steering wheel as he leaned slightly forward, scanning the area around the house. Hee-ju watched carefully, taking in every detail.
Nothing stood out. No unfamiliar people. No suspicious vehicles.
The neighbor’s front door opened, and a young woman emerged with a child who looked to be around six. The two in the car watched them go, and the neighborhood settled into silence again.
“Let’s go.”
Liam exited the car, and Hee-ju followed.
They made their way straight to her father’s house, took one more careful look around at the entrance, then quickly slipped inside.
Closing the door behind her, Hee-ju exhaled the breath she’d been holding. Field operations clearly didn’t suit her. It felt like her life was draining away in real time.
Liam, by contrast, moved through it all with the ease of breathing. Moments like these always reminded her of the gap between them.
Now wasn’t the time for distractions. Focus.
Hee-ju disciplined herself and moved forward slowly. The house looked exactly as it had the last time.
She stepped over scattered debris on the floor and entered the living room. Suddenly, her shoulders stiffened. A bad memory had surfaced.
The cold touch of a gun barrel against her back. The horrible sensation of grasping hands on bare skin.
…….
Sensing her state, Liam stepped forward.
“Wait in the car. I’ll look around.”
“……No.”
Hee-ju drew in a deep breath and pressed forward.
“Stubborn as always.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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