Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 43

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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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43.
It didn’t take long to find the answer. Noel had triggered Hee-ju’s compassion through his pitiful circumstances.
Though Hee-ju was decisive about drawing and cutting ties with people, she harbored an unexpected tenderness. She couldn’t simply walk past those in misery.
Noel had been like that, and so had her biological father. Though she’d claimed not to miss him, not to love him, she had risked danger to attend his funeral.
She was simply that kind of person. Hard on the outside, but concealing flesh as tender as anyone’s beneath.
Like a coconut, one might say.
So to cross the line she had drawn, he needed to appeal to his own wretchedness. Even if it meant exposing his weakness.
Tap. Tap. Liam drummed the steering wheel again. This time, more slowly than before.
“Heir and spare.”
Liam’s eyes grew heavy as he murmured to himself. Suddenly a hollow laugh escaped between his teeth.
“I never thought that would be so useful.”
After driving for some time, Liam abruptly grasped something. A furrow creased his brow.
Was he sincere about this?
Laying bare his own weakness just to gain sympathy.
A mirthless laugh slipped from him as he glanced sidelong at Hee-ju again. Dawn was breaking softly across her sleeping face.
He whispered as though in regret.
“What can I do? It feels far too late to run now.”
Liam raised his eyebrows briefly, then pressed down hard on the accelerator. He tore forward toward the rising sun, like Icarus in his flight.
***
Hunter wore a dissatisfied expression as he stared at the cup in his hand.
It wasn’t that the twenty-four-hour fast-food coffee tasted particularly foul. He’d grown accustomed to instant coffee long ago.
It was something else.
“You said Ottimo is a Russian Mafia stronghold, right?”
Anthony, with one arm draped over the back of his chair and his legs crossed, turned his head to meet Hunter’s gaze.
“That’s right.”
Anthony concurred, his own eyes clouded with suspicion. His gaze drifted back toward the window.
For the late hour, there was quite a crowd. It was because of the explosion that had occurred at Union Square.
Anthony muttered half under his breath, as if sorting through the situation.
“We tracked Hee-ju to Allen Smith’s funeral and ran into Russian Mafia there. Now an explosive goes off at their own base, Ottimo. Why are they chasing Hee-ju?”
“And who blew up Ottimo?”
At Hunter’s words, Anthony shrugged with a playful expression.
“That’s overstating it, isn’t it? To call it a blowup when only a few tables got smashed. Did a couple of people get hurt?”
The police cars that had gathered outside Ottimo earlier had already vanished. Given that no investigation tape had been strung up, it seemed they were trying to make it disappear.
Hunter stared at the same scene, then murmured lowly.
“If they’re not investigating, they must be planning personal revenge.”
“What can you expect? The police probably have their connections too. I never had illusions about honest cops anyway.”
Just then, Hunter’s phone vibrated. Anthony crossed his arms and leaned his chair back, peering out the window.
After ending the call, Hunter turned his gaze back to Anthony.
“They’ve pinged Hee-ju’s phone signal.”
“Around here?”
“It pinged briefly then disappeared. The timing was…”
Before Hunter could finish, Anthony cut him off.
“Matching the explosion time, I bet.”
“Hee-ju’s phone was probably used as a detonator.”
“Since the number was compromised with us.”
“Presumably.”
Hunter nodded. Deep in thought, Anthony suddenly posed a question.
“Who is it?”
“I’m curious too. Who’s bold enough to shake off the Russian Mafia, then rig their base with an Improvised Explosive Device?”
“That man we saw this afternoon? The one with Hee-ju?”
Hunter nodded again. Anthony narrowed his eyes as if trying to recall the man’s face.
“What’s his identity? Doesn’t look like an ordinary civilian.”
“I don’t know his identity, but I think I know where he is.”
“How? Ah, call records on Hee-ju’s phone?”
“Confirmed the number, and they say he’s mobile.”
“Which direction?”
“Can’t pinpoint that yet, but it looks certain he’s on the I-80 Highway. The signal is trailing along the road.”
“Then let’s get moving.”
Anthony drained the rest of his coffee in one gulp. Hunter abandoned his half-full cup without hesitation.
The two men climbed into an SUV. The engine started, and the vehicle slowly built up speed.
A parked sedan quietly tailed them with its headlights off. The vehicles crossed the city and soon entered the I-80 Highway.
Meanwhile, Hunter secured his phone to the dashboard. A red dot moved eastward.
Anthony, checking their direction of travel, frowned.
“Are they heading to Utah? Or even further east?”
“Hard to say.”
Just then, the red dot stopped moving. Anthony, who’d been about to doze, leaned forward to peer at the screen.
“Must be getting gas. Try to catch up.”
Confirming the target’s location, Hunter clicked his tongue softly.
“Impossible unless they fall asleep there.”
Even so, he pressed harder on the accelerator. The vehicle raced down the empty highway. Anthony folded his arms and closed his eyes.
“I’m going to get some rest, so wake me when it’s time to switch.”
“Will do.”
Not long after Anthony closed his eyes, his phone rang. He jerked awake with a start, bringing the phone to his ear.
After a brief call, he rubbed his chin and spoke.
“They’ve picked up call records.”
“The owner of that phone?”
“No. The person that phone was calling.”
“Who, and where?”
“Benjamin Clough. In Britain.”
“Who’s that?”
Hunter looked back at Anthony with a puzzled expression. Anthony, arms crossed, stared fixedly out at the dark road.
“Head of a noble family who’s served as a senator multiple times. Apparently even served as Foreign Secretary a few years back.”
Hunter’s foot eased off the accelerator, and he shot Anthony a glance. The vehicle’s speed gradually declined.
“How did he know? And why move already? Is Britain getting involved in this too?”
“Can’t say. Let’s just see how it unfolds.”
“So the man who planted the Improvised Explosive Device at Ottimo is MI6?”
“That’s what we need to find out.”
“Russian Mafia, MI6. This is getting complicated as hell. How are we supposed to quietly get the item?”
“When wasn’t it complicated? Anyway, I’m going to rest.”
“Understood.”
Hunter’s foot pressed back down on the accelerator. Behind the vehicle that shot forward like a bullet, a sedan trailed silently.
***
Crossing into Utah didn’t dramatically change the landscape beyond the window.
Long stretches of road, red mountains bare of trees, anonymous scrub lining the roadsides.
The only difference was that a couple more vehicles now traveled ahead of them.
After quite some time, they arrived at something resembling a town. It wasn’t as bustling as Union Square.
There were no fancy hotels or tourist attractions. But a few restaurants and lodgings made it adequate for a rest stop.
Liam parked at the Motel and naturally took Hee-ju’s bag out with him.
Hee-ju wrinkled her nose as they stepped into the Motel.
“Too bad there’s no proper hotel. I was curious to try using a Forged ID.”
Liam chuckled and headed to the counter to check in. Glancing past his shoulder, Hee-ju caught the name “Mick Jagger” and narrowed her brows.
The Rolling Stones this time?
Just then, her eyes met the proprietor’s. Caught slightly off guard, she offered an awkward smile.
The Motel owner spoke in a casual tone.
“Your first time in town?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a bit early, but have you decided where to eat dinner?”
“Actually, I’m quite hungry. Would you mind recommending a good restaurant?”
“There’s a Mexican Restaurant to the right of the Motel. If you’re staying in town, it’s the first place you have to visit.”
“Thank you.”
After thanking the owner, Hee-ju turned to Liam.
“Shall we eat first? I’m really hungry.”
“Let’s.”
Rather than heading up to their room, the two left the Motel. Behind them, the owner called out, “Enjoy your meal.”
Finding the Mexican Restaurant wasn’t difficult. It was attached right next to the Motel.
Upon entering, the proprietor, who’d been sitting in a chair, stood up. Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t Mexican.
Ruddy skin, thin hair, a portly belly. A typical American man.
“Welcome.”
Given the awkward timing, there were no other customers. As the two sat by the window, the proprietor brought menus.
“Thank… you.”
Hee-ju’s greeting trailed off. Liam apparently had the same thought. His lips curled up slightly.
After placing their order, Hee-ju watched the proprietor disappear into the kitchen, then whispered softly.
“No matter how I look at it, that guy’s related to the Motel owner.”
“I’ll bet a dollar they’re father and son.”
“So the so-called great restaurant got us fooled.”
“Actually, the Motel owner never said the food here was excellent. He just said it’s the first place you have to visit.”
“Looks like I fell for it stupidly.”
Hee-ju pouted her lower lip. Liam’s eyes crinkled with amusement.

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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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