Chapter 99: The Edible Hannah (24/26)

When Cameron returned with Hannah, Louis had already discussed the matter with Steven, who was planning to try the Holy Blood Council’s approach in his own way. Of course, the details were for Steven to investigate himself; Louis was not privy to them.

After leaving the hospital and getting back into the car with Hannah, who had been mostly silent until then, she suddenly asked, “Did you find out something?”

“How did you know?”

“After all, I am a police officer.”

“A street patrol cop at best, just handling traffic.”

“That’s still police work. I’ve studied case analysis too. You came here this time because you must know something, that’s why you sought out Steven. You talked for so long without letting us listen, and then Steven immediately asked to be discharged. There’s definitely something going on.”

“Alright, there is some issue, but I promised Steven I wouldn’t tell you.”

“I don’t care about that. Cameron just told me that Steven’s next project is about an unstoppable female cop. I might get involved, maybe even become the lead!”

Louis rolled his eyes at Hannah, knowing well that Steven’s next film would hardly be about a female police officer. If anything, it would be a superhero movie—and definitely about a male hero.

But Hannah was still excitedly talking, and since Louis wasn’t driving, she kept urging him to watch her perform. Watching Hannah’s antics, Louis was drenched in sweat. He didn’t know what Cameron had promised her, but if she really became the lead in Steven’s film with such a performance, it would surely ruin his reputation.

However, Louis wasn’t the kind of rigid man who couldn’t communicate with women. He showered her with compliments, and before long, instead of returning to the precinct, Hannah ended up going out to eat with Louis.

After a glass of the most famous soda from America’s Lighthouse Country, Louis let out a long breath.

“This is the life.”

Hannah, chewing on a burger across from him, asked, “You look like you’ve never eaten this before. But honestly, this place makes amazing burgers. Don’t you want another?”

“No thanks, I’ve already had three. Aren’t you full after five?”

“Nope, I usually eat seven.” Hannah bit into her burger, forgetting Louis’s words.

Louis, though, hadn’t forgotten. He had only been in America’s Lighthouse Country for a few days, and his life had completely changed. Like a character just emerging from the beginner village in a game, all sorts of troubles kept finding him.

Other than sleeping, he hadn’t really relaxed, let alone strolled the streets, enjoyed good food, or experienced the warmth of the local women. But with Hannah, he felt a sense of leisure, and his mindset began to shift.

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

At that moment, Hannah, who had already eaten six burgers, suddenly stood up and walked toward someone.

That person was eating as well and noticed her approaching, turning around instinctively.

Seeing Hannah’s police uniform, he flipped the table, leapt over it, and tried to flee.

Louis immediately understood—Hannah must have spotted some wanted criminal and wanted to check it out. He hadn’t expected such a dramatic reaction.

But Hannah’s response was even swifter. Despite her small stature and being a woman, she jumped over the overturned table and kicked the man to the ground.

She then stepped forward, caught his neck with a side step, pulled out handcuffs, and restrained him.

Having done all this, Hannah suddenly remembered Louis, who was still drinking soda, and said sheepishly, “I don’t usually go all out like that.”

Louis blinked. “Got it. I don’t usually either, but sometimes I just can’t stand it.”

They shared an awkward laugh, with Hannah forgetting the man was still pinned beneath her.

Finally, as the man began to struggle, Hannah realized and called for backup while securing him to the side.

Just as Louis was about to say something, a car drove past the restaurant. The driver was none other than Cameron, the portly man, and surprisingly, Steven was sitting in the backseat—he should still have been in the hospital.

This left Louis puzzled, and he took a few steps forward.

Noticing Louis’s movement, who had been watching closely, Hannah asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it looked like Cameron and Steven just drove by.” Louis pointed toward the car.

“Steven discharged already? How did he get away so fast?”

Louis felt something was off. For someone like Steven, it shouldn’t be so easy to leave the hospital. Besides, the direction they were heading wasn’t toward the film crew. Where could they be going?

Louis said to Hannah, “I feel there’s something wrong. I’m going to check it out. You okay going back alone?”

“Don’t worry, I’m a cop. What could happen to me? By the way, are you free tomorrow? I have the day off and can take you out to see the sea.”

“Sure. How about this: near here, there’s a valley where, besides Aro, there’s a bear. I’ll take you there tomorrow.”

“Great!”

After happily arranging their plans for the next day, Louis slipped away to a quiet spot nearby. Purple electricity flickered around him, and in an instant, he appeared atop the tallest building.

Looking down from the rooftop, he saw the bustling traffic below, with Cameron and Steven’s car among them.

He glanced at the direction of their vehicle, then in a flash, he appeared at the roadside near a nearby intersection.

Though he sensed something was amiss, he didn’t rush toward their car. Otherwise, given Cameron’s reputation as the “Prince of Crashes,” he would probably flip the car again.

More importantly, Louis had checked the area from the rooftop to see if there were any large trucks nearby. Luckily, the city center’s largest vehicle was a yellow school bus—America’s Lighthouse Country was decent in this regard.

Soon, Cameron’s car passed right in front of Louis. This time, Louis clearly observed the two inside.

Both Cameron and Steven appeared calm and composed, driving steadily. Yet Louis noticed something peculiar.

Above their heads hovered tiny, ghostly figures, and their movements were like marionettes controlled by strings.

It was clear—they were being controlled.