Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 86

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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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86.
“Damn it.”
Anthony cursed under his breath, then answered “Got it” before hanging up. Hunter’s brow narrowed in response.
A bad feeling crept over him. He didn’t want to ask, but he had to.
“What’s going on?”
“They bolted.”
“Who?”
“Two people caught on the traffic cameras.”
“How? We’re here… They must have found another route.”
Hunter reflexively started the engine, and Anthony jerked his chin.
“Looks like they’re heading for the airport. I’ve already sent local police. We need to move fast.”
“Damn it. Should’ve torn that mansion apart more thoroughly that day.”
The curse that had escaped Anthony’s lips earlier now came from Hunter’s.
***
Liam pulled into the parking lot at Salt Lake City International Airport. He stepped out first and swept the perimeter with a habitual glance.
Hee-ju followed. Liam distributed the baseball caps he’d borrowed from Peter between himself and Hee-ju, then headed toward the terminal building.
“Peter must be a Dodgers fan.”
Hee-ju pressed the bill of her black cap down, deliberately keeping her tone light. Liam scanned the surroundings beyond the brim instead of answering.
He placed one hand on Hee-ju’s back and pushed open the door with the other, waiting for her to enter first.
“Thank you.”
Even now, Liam put her first. Each time he did, another brick crumbled from Hee-ju’s wall. Having already crossed the threshold of her defenses, he seemed ready to demolish her final fortress.
“Is it finally over?”
“You won’t be able to shoot so freely in South Korea.”
“That’s strangely comforting.”
Hee-ju shook her head slowly. Liam offered a faint smile. Countless people flowed past them—those departing, those arriving.
Hee-ju, who had been walking quickly with her eyes down, suddenly stopped.
“Why?”
Liam turned to look at her, then followed her gaze.
A Christmas tree stood there. Deep green branches were adorned with crimson ornaments. The simple, classic design gave off a strong festive air.
Hee-ju resumed walking. She stepped onto the escalator first, and Liam positioned himself one step below. Even so, his eye level was slightly higher than hers.
“What do you want for a Christmas present?”
At Liam’s question, Hee-ju’s eyes widened.
“I thought you weren’t the type to bother with things like that.”
“Seems I need you to know me better. I’m actually quite thoughtful.”
“…Fair point. You’re the kindest lunatic I know, I’ll give you that.”
Liam frowned at the backhanded compliment, then burst out laughing.
“You’re the only person who calls me a lunatic. At this point, it sounds like a pet name.”
“See? You call yourself a lunatic.”
Watching him smile at being called a lunatic, Hee-ju sighed.
“In that condition, coming to rescue me shows you’re not in your right mind.”
“Still harping on that?”
They boarded the escalator heading to the third floor. Hee-ju exhaled deeply and let her shoulders sag.
“The few days we spent here felt like years. I never want to come back to the United States until the day I die.”
“I completely understand.”
The man incapable of empathy nodded with an understanding expression. At that sight, Hee-ju burst into laughter.
“Why are you laughing?”
Liam looked at her with a puzzled expression. Hee-ju simply shook her head.
“It’s nothing.”
Perhaps he would never know. In that moment, her final fortress crumbled completely. She’d made her decision: to keep this lunatic in check and remain by his side, for the sake of world peace.
“Grandfather will be waiting once we reach the third floor. Once we board the private aircraft, everything will be over. They won’t be able to stop my grandfather’s plane—it would become a diplomatic incident.”
“In other words, don’t let your guard down until the aircraft takes off?”
Liam’s eyes narrowed again, as if admiring a clever child.
“Exactly.”
As they exited the escalator, Benjamin came into view, seated in a chair in front of the departure gate. His hands rested on his cane, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
A secretary stood beside him, and a flight attendant in a navy blazer and trousers was checking her watch.
“Let’s go.”
Liam stepped forward first. Benjamin, turning his head at that moment, spotted them. Bracing himself with one hand on his cane, he rose.
“Here they come.”
In that instant, Liam seized Hee-ju’s wrist.

As Hee-ju turned toward him, Liam yanked her arm.
“What—”
Before she could finish, Hee-ju ducked quietly behind a column. A uniformed police officer was scanning the area.
Hee-ju’s voice hardened.
“How many?”
“One, two… At least five visible.”
“What do we do?”
Liam observed them with an impassive face.
Only then did Benjamin seem to grasp the situation. He promptly sat back down to avoid drawing the officers’ attention.
Liam peeked slightly around the column. The police were slowly moving through the crowd, comparing faces on their cell phones with each person they passed.
It wouldn’t be long before they reached this spot. And they would find them.
Liam assessed the distance between the departure gate and the police, weighing possibilities.
In front of the departure gate, a large Black attendant was checking tickets. One of the officers appeared to be ambling toward the gate.
This is becoming a problem.
No matter how he calculated it, there seemed no way to slip past their eyes and into the gate.
“If we can just get through the gate…”
Once they passed through and boarded the private aircraft, there was nothing those officers could do.
His mind made up, Liam turned to Hee-ju.
“Undress.”
“Sorry?”
Hee-ju furrowed her brow as if to say what is this about in the middle of the night. Liam gestured quietly toward the attendant.
The woman glanced around briefly, then, receiving a whisper from the secretary, walked quietly toward the column. Liam extended his hand.
“Give me your jacket.”
The flight attendant’s expression grew uncertain. But soon she began undressing without protest. The secretary had mentioned that the man before her was the employer’s grandson.
Liam handed the attendant’s jacket to Hee-ju. Hee-ju obediently did as he instructed.
“Hair tie.”
Liam extended his hand to the attendant again. The woman furrowed her brow momentarily, then removed her hair tie and handed it to Hee-ju.
Hee-ju neatly gathered her hair and tied it the way the attendant had. Liam handed Hee-ju’s jacket to the attendant.
“Put it on.”
Then he placed the black baseball cap from Hee-ju’s head onto the attendant’s.
“Good thing you’re a similar height and build.”
He muttered to himself while gripping Hee-ju’s shoulders, looking directly into her eyes.
“Walk into the departure gate as if nothing is wrong.”
“Won’t they notice?”
“Leave the rest to your grandfather. He’ll handle it.”
She nodded absently, then her expression turned uncertain.
“What about you?”
“Those police haven’t seen you directly. They have a photo, but only for a moment. I can buy you time to board.”
“But Liam!”
“There’s no time to argue. Go. Now.”
Liam pushed firmly at her back. Hee-ju’s voice trembled faintly.
“Liam.”
“We’ll meet in South Korea later. I’ll find you.”
“But—”
“Have I ever failed to find you?”
No, never. At his father’s house, at Sergei’s estate—he had always found her. From England to South Korea, from South Korea to the United States.
Liam spoke lightly, as if it were the most trivial matter.
“I just hope you’re not in the tech team by then.”
As Hee-ju nodded, he grasped the attendant’s wrist and pressed down the brim of the baseball cap.
“What’s your name?”
“Sloan Miller.”
“Good, Sloan. From now on, keep your eyes down and follow me. Don’t look up under any circumstances. You won’t be harmed. You’ll get paid for flying without actually flying.”
“Understood.”
As Sloan nodded, Liam also turned to warn Hee-ju.
“Keep your head down as you walk. If your face gets caught on the surveillance cameras, the CIA will be notified immediately.”
“I will.”
Gripping the attendant’s wrist, Liam stepped out from behind the column. The two of them quickly cut through the crowd.
When they boarded the escalator, Liam lifted the cap’s brim and scanned the area.
The officer who spotted him looked at his cell phone once, then at Liam, and shouted.
“There!”
At the same moment, the remaining officers began chasing Liam in unison.
“Move aside, please!” “Excuse us!” The officers pushed through the crowd. Startled pedestrians who’d stopped momentarily soon resumed their journey as if nothing had happened.
“Let’s go, Sloan.”

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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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