Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 40

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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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40.
“That’s regrettable.”
“…….”
“Ah.”
Liam, who had been cutting his steak, spoke as though he’d just remembered something.
“You do understand that Sincerity and Contract are two different things, yes?”
When Hui Ju’s brow furrowed slightly, he smiled with disarming ease.
“Just checking. A contract is a contract, after all.”
Liam, bringing a piece of meat to his mouth with apparent nonchalance, paused. He pulled out his Mobile Phone and aimed the camera at Hui Ju.
“What are you—”
“Stay like that for a moment.”
Just as Hui Ju began to protest, a rapid succession of clicks echoed. Liam had taken three photos in quick succession and now studied the screen intently.
“What are you doing?”
Hui Ju expressed her displeasure, but Liam paid it no mind. Staring at the screen, he made a soft clicking sound with his tongue.
“A cheap phone—the zoom function leaves something to be desired.”
“I’d hate for you to forget whose money bought that cheap phone.”
Liam handed the Mobile Phone to Hui Ju. She took it as if about to delete the photos immediately, then froze.
“Who is this?”
“The proprietor of Ottimo?”
“That……the Russian Mafia?”
Hui Ju turned her head absently to look outside the window. Only then did she realize there was an Italian Restaurant behind her.
She turned her gaze back to Liam. From his seat, he would have a clear view of Ottimo’s entrance.
“Is that why you chose this restaurant? To keep that place under surveillance?”
“Killing two birds with one stone. Good food and a look at the man himself.”
Hui Ju’s eyes returned to the screen. The photo was blurry, taken from a distance through the window. Zooming in only made the features hazier.
His hair was short, silver or grey, and his hairline had receded, baring his forehead. He had the deep-set eyes and prominent cheekbones typical of Westerners.
She scrolled to the next photo. This one showed a man in a business suit getting into a sedan in front of the restaurant.
“Do you recognize him?”
Hui Ju shook her head at Liam’s question. She handed the Mobile Phone back to him.
“Not at all. I’ve never seen him before.”
“You’ve never had dealings with him either?”
“Not that I remember.”
“Your memory is reliable. You remember Noel’s pawn shop address from working together last year, and even though your phone changed, you managed to call your parents and Team Lead Han. I can’t remember my parents’ number—haven’t been able to call them yet.”
Hui Ju let out a light laugh. The tension that had gripped the moment dissolved at once.
“Mm.”
Hui Ju stared into the distance before shaking her head again.
“Even thinking back, there’s nothing. When I handled the North America accounts, there were no cases involving the Russian Mafia. At least not under my watch.”
“Then it’s certain—it’s because of the Key your father left you.”
“Why would the Russian Mafia and the CIA both be chasing me over it?”
“Whatever it is, it must be something quite remarkable. Important enough for two organizations standing at opposite ends to move simultaneously. And furthermore——”
Liam lowered his voice.
“The CIA has no investigative authority over incidents occurring within the United States. Domestic matters fall under the FBI’s jurisdiction.”
“Yet they searched Noel’s house without a warrant.”
“It must be something they find extremely interesting.”
Just then, the server approached. He spoke in a courteous tone.
“Would you care for dessert?”
“Yes, please.”
Liam nodded, and the server withdrew. Only after confirming he was out of earshot did Hui Ju whisper softly.
“There was someone I needed to say goodbye to before leaving……”
Liam wore a smile as devilishly captivating as temptation itself.
“We should let them know who they’ve touched.”
Hui Ju glanced out the window with an inexplicable unease. A decorated tree began its lighting ceremony. Colored bulbs illuminated one by one.
“Oh, before that.”
Hui Ju pulled out her Mobile Phone as if remembering something. She powered it on and moved her fingers across the screen.
Liam watched her with an expression he couldn’t quite parse.
***
“The Russian Mafia?”
At Anthony’s words, Hunter extended a takeout coffee. Anthony accepted it, brought the cup to his lips, and released a satisfied breath.
“Thanks.”
“That’s what they’re saying.”
“Why is the Russian Mafia involved in this?”
“Who knows. They’re guessing the information leaked from somewhere.”
“This is getting headache-inducing.”
Anthony scratched his head, and Hunter added a note.
“The worse part is——”
“There’s something worse?”
“We need to find Hui Ju before the mafia does.”
“Damn it.”
Anthony muttered a curse under his breath. Hunter took a sip of coffee and spoke in an even tone.
“By now they’ve realized we’re involved too.”
“Hell.”
“It’s a race.”
“Bloody hell.”
Hunter laughed outright at Anthony’s string of profanities.
Just then, Hunter’s Mobile Phone rang again. After taking the call, he turned to Anthony.
“We know where Hui Ju is.”
Anthony drained the rest of his coffee in one gulp and tossed the empty cup into the trash.
“Go. Before the cursed mafia.”
***
Hui Ju and Liam were passing time in a Cafe. The hour was still too early to pay a visit to the mafia boss.
Soft Christmas carols drifted through the Cafe. Hui Ju listened to the gentle melody while gazing at the world outside.
Several hotels displayed their grandeur around the Square, and various shops and restaurants added modest sights to see.
Then two men appeared across the way. They wore black suits.
Liam glanced at his wrist watch and murmured in a dry tone.
“Twenty minutes. Not particularly fast. They probably weren’t nearby.”
Rather than answer, Hui Ju kept her eyes on them as they moved away.
After a moment of looking around, they headed toward a hotel. The door opened, and they entered the lobby.
Hui Ju’s gaze fixed on the name written on the building’s exterior.
“Chancellor Hotel.”
Her eyes darkened despite her calm tone. She looked at Liam.
“Team Lead Han.”
Rather than answering, Liam merely nodded.
Before leaving the restaurant, Hui Ju had sent messages from her Mobile Phone to two people. One was her mother. The other was Team Lead Han.
The content was the same, except for the name of the hotel where she would be staying.
Mom, don’t worry. The funeral went well, and I’m staying at the Westin Hotel in Union Square tonight. I’ll call again soon.
Team Lead, it’s me. The funeral went well, and I’m planning to stay at the Chancellor Hotel in Union Square tonight. I’m thinking of traveling for a while. I’ll be in touch soon.
After that, the two sat in a Cafe where both the Westin Hotel and the Chancellor Hotel were visible, sipping coffee.
Hui Ju toyed with her coffee cup as she asked.
“Do you think Team Lead Han is a CIA informant? A personal indiscretion? Or institutional cooperation?”
Liam studied her face carefully. She, betrayed by someone she’d trusted, held an expression as though it were no great matter.
He didn’t like it. He would have preferred anger. He would have preferred tears. He would have preferred blame turned toward himself.
Instead, she swallowed her emotions and forced her lips upward.
“Now I understand. I was hired as a 9th Grade Civil Servant, and it was always strange that I was transferred to the National Intelligence Service.”
“That happened?”
“They said it was a computer error. But it wasn’t. They wanted to keep me close, to watch me. To see when my father would contact me, isn’t that right?”
Liam found no words. Neither to confirm nor deny.
“Why was it like that?”
“…….”
“Would Team Lead Han know the reason? Manager Kim? Deputy Yoon? Were all their smiles toward me genuine? If so, where does the real end and the false begin?”
“…….”
“I don’t know anymore. Who to trust and who not to trust.”
Eventually, Hui Ju’s gaze fell away. Her confused eyes sank into an abyss.
Without thinking, Liam reached out. He grasped Hui Ju’s hand resting on the table.
He didn’t know why. It simply seemed necessary.
As though if he didn’t hold her fast, she would disappear into nothing, or because she seemed small enough that he needed to protect her.
Hui Ju smiled softly and looked at him.
“But there’s one thing I know.”
“What?”
“I can trust you.”
Liam swallowed slowly. He couldn’t identify the emotion stirring in his depths.
“Right?”
Something knocked gently against his throat. He couldn’t afford to speak carelessly.
Hui Ju, her brow furrowed faintly, asked with a note of doubt in her voice.
“Aren’t I?”
“……Yes. Yes, you are.”
Liam nodded slowly. Only then did Hui Ju release a breath of relief.
Liam’s life had been woven through with betrayal and treachery. He was British but had worked for Korea, wielding the executioner’s blade against spies.
He had lied to deceive enemies and worn smiles he didn’t feel. For him, it was nothing out of the ordinary.
But in this moment, he swore to God. No matter what came, he would not betray Hui Ju.
There was no reason for it. He simply decided to. And so, from now on, he could not betray her. Never.
“You can trust me. I am on your side.”
“I know.”
Hui Ju smiled more clearly, her eyes softening.
Liam’s grip on the back of her hand tightened.

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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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