So... could it be that the man would attend the exhibition?
"I'm going to visit the exhibition." Lance raised the ivory-colored invitation that shimmered softly under the chandelier light. He looked at the guests and said calmly yet firmly, "Ladies and gentlemen, it's getting late. I must take my leave. See you on the day of the exhibition."
Consul Han stared at Lance with raised eyebrows, his face paling momentarily in shock. "Are you leaving now? I haven't even had the chance to thank you properly. If it weren't for Mr. Lance's help, I... I don't know if my daughter would have returned safely."
Lee had already detailed everything—the infiltration, the chase, and the nearly impossible rescue. Consul Han knew that the man named Lance was not just a guest, but a savior in the shadows.
Lance merely smiled faintly, calm as usual. "Loyalty to duty and trust is my principle. No need for excess, Consul Han. I still have matters to attend to. Besides, I don't need further assistance here. It's time for me to go."
Consul Han nodded slowly, his voice heavy. "Very well... Soo Yung was kidnapped, and I almost caused a mess out of panic. If fate brings us together again, I must toast to you with a glass, or two glasses of the finest wine I have."
"Wait!" A voice piped up enthusiastically. Carter jumped from behind the sofa, his face a mix of desperation and recklessness. "I'm coming! My car broke down. Lance, can you give me a ride? Or... should I drive?"
Lee squinted, looking at Carter as if he were a clown at a formal party. "What car broke down? It seems like you just want to drive Mr. Lance's sports car."
Carter rolled his eyes with an annoyed expression. "What's it to you!"
Clearly, it was Tony Stark's car—an Audi R8 inside and out, but its modifications were only a dream for manufacturers. There was only one in the entire United States. Just touching the steering wheel could be considered a national honor for Carter.
Without much talk, Lance tossed the car keys at him. "You drive. But remember, if it gets scratched, Tony will send the bill. Not me."
Carter grinned widely like a child given the keys to a playground. "Don't worry, buddy. If it weren't for my dad forcing me to be a cop, I'd be an international racing champion!"
Bragging had become Carter's daily fare.
"Stop rambling. Let's go." Lance sighed in annoyance and stepped outside.
Under the curious gazes of the FBI agents still gathered at the villa, the two men left. Carter seemed too relaxed, while Lance maintained a steady pace and a cool demeanor.
Once in the car, Carter immediately cranked up the music to a volume that could shatter glass. Classic rock blasted from the speakers. "Wow!" he shouted as he sped out in style, like a teenager just learning to drive fast.
Lance could only close his eyes for a moment. He already regretted choosing to ride in the same car with this guy.
However, that regret was soon replaced by alertness.
As they glided past the sparkling Sunset Boulevard, lit by store lights and neon billboards, an old Toyota in front suddenly stopped short. From the side window, the muzzle of a gun appeared and...
Bang! Bang! Bang bang bang!
Seven shots were fired in quick succession, aimed directly at the couple embracing on the sidewalk. Blood splattered, screams pierced the air, and the store window behind them shattered into pieces.
"Damn it!" Carter slammed on the brakes, his body reflexively moving. As he drew his gun from behind his jacket, he prepared to chase.
But before Carter could get closer, the Toyota suddenly sped away.
But it didn't get far.
Just a dozen meters down the road, a large truck barreled through the intersection from the opposite direction, crashing hard into the Toyota. The car was thrown, spinning twice in the air before hitting the asphalt with a thud that made hearts race.
The car was now nothing more than a wreck. All the glass was shattered, the roof crumpled, and the doors were mangled like a crushed can. There was no movement from inside.
"Wow... damn." Carter holstered his gun, letting out a long sigh.
Such a brutal accident left little room for survival. Unless the shooter was a robot from the future, no one could have survived.
However, then Carter felt his body shivering violently.
The man, who had previously fallen to the ground while holding the body of the woman lying in front of him, suddenly took a deep breath, gathering strength, and slowly rose from the ground.
The man's clothes looked neat, even new, without a trace of gunfire or the woman's blood on them. He seemed unaffected by anything that had happened, as if he were in a different dimension.
With firm steps, the man approached the wrecked car, lifted the dying armed man, and, filled with anger, said, "No, no, no... Don't even think about dying this quickly."
The armed man, who had previously been silent and seemed to have breathed his last, took a deep breath—looking as if he had just risen from the dead. His eyes slowly opened, filled with fear as they stared at the figure before him.
The man's face darkened, full of frustration. With a swift motion, he grabbed the collar of the armed man's shirt, as if wanting to unleash the anger that had been building up. "Look at what you've done!"
The armed man, still gasping, tried to speak in a hoarse voice, "I'm sorry…"
"Sorry?" The man scoffed coldly, "Why did you choose to end that woman's life?!"
The armed man sighed heavily, responding with deep helplessness, "Of course... for money."
"For money?!" A clear flash of irritation was visible in the man's eyes, "Every time I find myself in a situation like this, I wish I could be thrown into hell. You will never understand how tedious what I will do for you is!"
The armed man could only groan softly, his eyes closing again, as if surrendering to fate.
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
[Note: 245+ latest chapters have been added! For Just 3$ You Get Access To Chapters Way Ahead,
Now you can access the chapters before Webnovel And Scribblehub by following,
Just become a patron on Patreon:
Patreon.com/Alex_Fabianoki]