Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 83

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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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83.
“So eat whatever you want. The owner of a 200 Million Won Watch is treating us.”
“Oh.”
Noel’s face brightened with a newfound smile. Then he pressed the bell button that had been nagging at his curiosity.
Ding-dong. A staff member approached at the sound.
“Is there anything I can help you with?”
Wow, they came in five seconds flat. That’s impressive!
Noel’s eyes gleamed as he watched the staff member. He was definitely reconsidering his career aspirations. Race car driver to restaurant staff—now that had a nice ring to it.
***
The sedan glided quietly down the highway. The car Benjamin had given them was far more luxurious than anything they’d rented before.
A suite, rich meals, a premium sedan. Hee-ju’s eyes had practically bulged at the sudden turn in their circumstances.
But the real surprise was Liam. He who had grown accustomed to shabby motels and cheap food now seemed equally at ease in suites and rich meals.
Rather, this suited him far better—like a man slipping into clothes that actually fit. His forgotten background came flooding back to her.
Liam Clophis.
Second son of the Clophis Family.
‘If the lady gives me the blueprints, I’ll hand over a substantial business to Liam. Perhaps not a dukedom, but a barony at least. Land too. What do you say to my offer?’
Hee-ju understood exactly what such an offer meant to Liam.
If she would only nod, the void in Liam’s heart would be filled to the brim. Perhaps that man who had drifted like wind might finally take root like a tree.
It was precisely what she longed for.
“…….”
Yet still, she couldn’t bring herself to nod. The blueprints carried too heavy a consequence.
A weapon of mass murder—a single button press could end countless lives. The CIA wanted it, the Russian Mafia wanted it, and now even British arms dealers were coveting it.
“Can’t sleep?”
A gentle voice drifted across. Hee-ju, who had been watching the window, slowly turned her head. She caught sight of Liam’s profile.
Long lashes, a sharp nose, features carved in shadow.
“I can’t sleep. Should I take over driving?”
“Not yet. If you can’t sleep, just close your eyes. I’ll let you know when we reach the rest stop.”
“Your wound—does it hurt?”
“I had painkillers. What’s the point?”
“Liam.”
Hee-ju spoke suddenly. Liam glanced away from the endless stretch of highway toward her.
Finding her silent after calling his name, Liam checked on her again with a sidelong glance. Just as he was about to say something, she spoke in a casual tone.
“I think I’ve been seeing the same car in the side mirror since earlier. Is it just my imagination?”
“It’s probably not. They’ve been following us since we left San Francisco.”
“Who could it be?”
“The Russian Mafia’s headquarters should be in ruins by now. Most likely the CIA. They know Grandfather stayed at that hotel, so tracking our location wouldn’t have been difficult.”
“Then why haven’t they made a move yet?”
“The situation has changed.”
When Hee-ju gave him a questioning look, Liam’s lips curved slightly upward. He tapped the steering wheel lightly with his index finger.
“Because the former British Foreign Secretary got involved.”
“…….”
“They’ve figured out I’m not just some stray dog rolling around, but the grandson of Lord Clophis.”
“Ah.”
Hee-ju nodded and glanced at the side mirror again.
“It’s odd to say it now, but you’re really quite remarkable. For the CIA to back off like that.”
“It’s not me, exactly. It’s my family.”
“Either way, you’re part of that family.”
“I suppose.”
Liam’s voice took on a harsh edge. Hee-ju’s heart stung at it.
“Besides, how would they stop us anyway? They wouldn’t have a warrant. The CIA has no domestic jurisdiction. That falls under the FBI.”
“Then why not ask the FBI for assistance?”
“Would anyone want to split credit for something like this?”
“Fair point. Territorial disputes—common everywhere.”
Hee-ju buried her head against the seat and gazed out at the road again.
“Everything that’s happened here feels like a dream. So much has occurred in such a short time that it doesn’t feel real.”
“I understand.”
Liam murmured in a voice that genuinely sounded understanding and warm.
The sunset hung heavy across the sky. Dried grass turned brown and rushed past in a blur; occasionally a large tree fell away behind them.
Traffic on the road was sparse. The car following behind was barely visible in the side mirror, the distance between them vast.
It felt as though the world had ended. As if beneath flames that incinerated the entire earth, only these two existed.
Perhaps that wouldn’t be so bad.
Then, recalling that very thought she’d just had, she frowned slightly.
“This is a problem.”
“What is?”
Liam asked casually, his eyes still fixed forward. Hee-ju sighed and spoke with resignation.
“I think I like you more than I thought I would.”
Liam’s head snapped toward her. His eyebrows shot up, his eyes widened. Looking back at him, Hee-ju added matter-of-factly.
“Watch the road. You’re crossing the center line.”
Liam hastily corrected the steering wheel, then glanced back at her. His suspicious eyes seemed to doubt whether he’d actually heard that.
“The CIA following us will be startled. They’ll wonder why the car suddenly started swerving.”
“Say it again.”
“Say what?”
Hee-ju deflected smoothly. Usually that was Liam’s role, and the sly glance his. Now their dynamic had reversed. Not bad, actually.
Hee-ju softened her expression, but Liam—uncharacteristically anxious—pressed her.
“Say it again.”
“Watch the road. We didn’t survive a Mafia hideout just to die like this.”
“Say it again, Hee-ju.”
His hands tightened on the wheel. His knuckles turned white. Hee-ju let a faint smile escape and spoke.
“Liam, I think I love you. Probably.”
“Drop the qualifier.”
“I love you.”
Liam swallowed slowly, like a man downing something scorching hot.
His gaze, which had been boring through the windshield, suddenly stilled. His lips parted slightly.
“Me too.”
“…….”
“Me too.”
“I know.”
Yes, she knew. He loved her enough to storm a Mafia hideout alone. Loved her enough to support both their weights with one hand.
The fact that he was mad didn’t sit quite right, but it wasn’t entirely unwelcome. Hee-ju’s lips curved gently upward.
“I’m going to sleep now. Wake me when we reach the gas station.”
“All right.”
Liam’s voice, rippling through the air, sounded somehow wet.
Hee-ju glanced at the side mirror once more, then closed her eyes. With sight gone, her hearing sharpened. The sounds surrounding her took on vivid clarity.
The rumble of the engine, the wind lashing the car body, and Liam’s quiet breathing.
Hee-ju focused on that last sound as she sank into drowsy sleep.
***
As the car entered Utah, it gradually slowed. Hee-ju, now behind the wheel, headed straight for Wasatch National State Park.
“Wait.”
Liam, whom she’d thought was sleeping, straightened up. Glancing at the side mirror, he spoke lightly.
“Aren’t you curious about Margaret’s welfare?”
Hee-ju immediately grasped what lay beneath those words. She nodded.
“Now that you mention it, Margaret’s Estate had a back door. Peter will lend us a car.”
“Once we secure the USB, we need to head straight for the airport. If we’re caught, things will get complicated. Once we’re out of America…”
“Will they give up once we leave the country?”
“Probably not, but they won’t be able to operate so freely.”
“Not exactly encouraging news.”
Hee-ju sighed and changed direction toward Margaret’s Estate. Margaret and Peter welcomed the two returning family members like parents greeting surviving children.
“Hee-ju! Liam!”
Margaret embraced Hee-ju and rubbed her cheek against hers, then lightly hugged Liam. She guided them both into the living room.
Hee-ju asked warmly, smiling.
“Have you been well, Margaret?”
“Thanks to you. These days I’ve been able to stretch my legs and sleep properly. But what brings you by? I thought we wouldn’t see each other for a while.”
“We need your help with something. Could we borrow a car?”
At Hee-ju’s hesitant question, Margaret’s expression grew stern.
“Of course. But there’s a condition.”
“What is it?”
Hee-ju’s face tightened, but Margaret added playfully.
“First, you’ll have lunch with me. I can’t just let you two go like that. No, that won’t do at all. Susan!”
At Margaret’s call, an unfamiliar woman entered the living room, wiping her hands on her apron. She was a middle-aged woman with a sturdy build and a kind face.
Probably Emma’s replacement, Hee-ju thought. Somehow that left a bitter taste.
“We have guests. Please prepare lunch.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Margaret turned back to Hee-ju, her expression softened with warmth. As if she understood what Hee-ju was thinking.
An intimate silence passed between them. Hee-ju didn’t ask about Emma, and Margaret didn’t mention her past.
Then Liam’s voice broke the stillness.
“You said earlier that you didn’t know anyone named Alan Smith, correct?”
“That’s right.”
Margaret turned her gaze to him and nodded. Hee-ju too looked puzzled at his sudden mention of that name.
Liam asked quietly.
“Then have you ever heard the name Kim Hyun-tae? He might have gone by ‘Kim.'”
At those words, Margaret’s eyes widened.
“You know Kim?”
“!”

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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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