Chapter 123

I couldn’t feel anything in the hand holding the bag.

The situation felt extremely unreal.

Red Shadow doesn’t lay a hand on anyone unless they’re a villain or a collaborator of villains.

And yet he touched a media company, all because….

‘It’s because of me.’

It was <Daily Issue> that released the photos of my date with Tristan, and the reporter in charge was Daniel Humphrey.

“My god.”

What am I supposed to do about this?

My mind goes completely blank.

From a long time ago, I recall the voice that shyly but sincerely confessed to me.

“I think I can stop hating the world.”

Are you angry right now?

Like Johan running wild, I’m suddenly seized by worry at this unexpected situation.

“A vigilante going after a media company. This place really isn’t sane.”

“It’s all because of the war. I heard it wasn’t this bad before it broke out.”

While Mandy and Noah exchanged a few remarks, I took a silent deep breath.

“Jean. Are you really okay?”

Noah came closer and looked me over with concern.

He carefully raised his hand and pressed my forehead.

“You don’t have a fever….”

“It’s just that I’m not feeling well.”

“Let’s head back. Want me to carry your bags?”

Without even waiting for an answer, Noah took the shopping bags from me.

Mandy hurried to find the parking lot, saying we should go back quickly.

When I got home with arms full of things, Nelson greeted me.

As I collapsed onto the mattress, Nelson climbed on top of me, whining and nuzzling close.

Feeling a warmth even hotter than a person’s body eased my gloom a little.

“Nelson.”

As I stroked his black fur, Nelson licked my face.

“I miss Johan so much.”

I never thought I’d miss even his bad habit of buttoning his shirt all the way up.

I thought he was someone who didn’t suit me.

He came from a wealthy family, had a quiet and composed temperament, and even possessed honor.

On the other hand, I was someone who lived off dirty money.

There was nothing our lives had in common, and yet Johan clung to me.

It still feels unbelievable.

Even if I accepted his feelings, our ending would have already been decided.

So I kept telling myself that leaving the city alone was the best decision for both of us… but now I’m not so sure.

Like Raphael, who lived like a moth drawn to flames, maybe I should have run toward the ending I could already see.

Wasn’t it enough if the moment of rushing forward was happy?

“Raphael… Oscar….”

I pressed my lips repeatedly to the top of Nelson’s head as I held him.

I am glad that at least I have Nelson right now.

***

― [Breaking News] Big Bear captured in critical condition. Red Shadow threw her in front of the police headquarters.

Two Star, which had been clashing with Death Adder in battles large and small, collapsed at an absurdly fast pace due to Red Shadow’s rampage.

All kinds of media outlets pushed out urgent reports as extras.

― [M.C Today] Red Shadow’s rampage and the fall of Two Star.

― [CBC] Red Shadow attacks Daily Issue. Abducted director confirmed stable but showing signs of anxiety.

― [Mist Island Times] The Duke of Valkenstein was Giselle Moltke’s collaborator!

― [Daily Issue] Red Shadow. Suppression of the press, or execution of evil.

Raphael turned on the radio. The trashy gossip outlets were buzzing as they gossiped.

― (Host) There’s been a lot of talk lately that Red Shadow’s actions are strange. Until now, he kept his distance from the media and citizens, but a few days ago he smashed every camera at media companies.

― (Panel 1) On top of that, he dumped the director of <Daily Issue> at the site of the clash between Two Star and the central army, which is causing a stir. And a reporter was found in an underground holding cell at police headquarters.

― (Panel 2) His true nature has finally come out. He’s not sane. Then again, that’s why he goes around cutting everyone down.

― (Panel 3) He’s Giselle Moltke’s lover. <Daily Issue> mistook another man for her lover and even wrote an article, so of course he’d be angry.

― (Panel 4) Are you out of your mind, defending criminal acts? Red Shadow has never looked this terrifying.

― (Panel 5) About Giselle Moltke. After fleeing the duke’s residence, her whereabouts are unknown. Raphael and the police are actively searching for her.

― (Panel 1) It seems even Red Shadow doesn’t know. If he did, he wouldn’t be acting this sensitive, like he’d just been broken up with.

“Every last one of them is trash.”

Liam turned off the radio.

He had just been turning the wheel, and his shoulder twinged, making him frown.

The gunshot wound in his shoulder hadn’t fully healed yet.

But his mood lately was at its peak, enough that he didn’t even care about the pain.

Deva had abandoned Tristan Lindbergh and Johan, that bastard.

Of course, she’d hidden herself somewhere no one could find her, but it hadn’t even been a day or two since she ran. He’d find her soon enough.

‘Now you just need to tell me that you’re White Hands.’

Because both siblings kept White Hands a secret, he also pretended not to know even though he did.

So on the day she confessed that she was White Hands, Liam planned to present the diamond ring he’d carried with him for so long and propose.

“Head to police headquarters.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m going to file a missing person report.”

“But….”

“Like hell I can’t handle a few cops.”

Liam didn’t reply further and turned the car.

Raphael called out to him in a low voice.

“Liam.”

“Yes.”

“When we find Deva, let’s leave together.”

Liam’s eyes turned hazy, like someone in a trance.

“Do you have somewhere in mind?”

“We’ll go wherever she wants. We’ll let go of everything and start a new life. Maybe run a small restaurant or a cafe.”

“Make it a bit bigger and let me work with you too.”

“Alright. You’re like family to me.”

Liam forced the corners of his mouth down so he wouldn’t smile.

All the dirty work he’d done after joining the organization had been worth it.

Being acknowledged and trusted by the only family of the woman he loved felt unbelievably good.

At this rate, it might be time to go deal with Sunshine soon.

Liam realized the moment had come.

***

Rrrrrrr

The phone rang in the mansion in Paradise Hill City.

It was already the third time.

Johan had come after hearing a rumor that Giselle had been seen on a bus headed to Paradise Hill City.

“I told you not to contact me—”

― Your Grace! We might be able to treat you!

The shout was so loud that Johan pulled the receiver slightly away from his ear.

“Arthur Smith?”

Arthur Smith was from Paradise Hill City and had served as the Valkenstein family’s physician for generations.

When Heinrich went to the army, Arthur returned to his hometown and their connection was cut off.

― I was in an accident that broke my neck, but a healer with an ability appeared and fixed me! Your Grace, you must find that woman quickly.

Johan brought the receiver back to his ear and said, “Explain in detail.”

***

“…This can’t be happening.”

I pinched my cheek hard. It hurt. So it definitely wasn’t a dream.

“I won?”

I won the lottery. And not just anything, first prize.

Is this how people in Blue City feel when they watch Mist Island news?

Something that only happens in newspapers just happened to me.

“I, I, I’m losing my mind….”

A shrill scream slipped out, so I quickly covered my mouth.

Why did Laura give me something like this!

With this much money, I should feel happy, but all I feel is fear.

‘What am I supposed to do with this?’

I should return it to Laura right away.

It’s not like I don’t have money, and the more complicated things get, the more trouble I’ll be in.

Maybe I’ll just ask her to get Nelson a gift to celebrate instead.

I hurriedly got ready for work and ran to the restaurant.

“Laura, Laura! Lauraaa!”

“Jean. What’s going on so early in the morning?”

I grabbed Laura’s arm and pulled her outside to the empty staircase.

I handed her the lottery ticket inside a ziplock bag.

My heart was pounding like it would burst.

“Please take this back. I’m too scared to keep it!”

“Why?”

“This, it w—”

I quickly lowered my voice and whispered to her.

“It won first prize. Please take it and get it out of my sight.”

“W-what? Is that really true?”

“Yes! You don’t believe it, right? I don’t either!”

“But I gave this to you—”

“That doesn’t matter! If you bought it with your money, it’s yours! I have no interest in this money.”

In movies, whenever something unbelievably lucky happens, a huge misfortune follows.

Like finding a fifty thousand raphen bill at a crosswalk that turns out to be funeral money for the afterlife.

No matter how I think about it, this feels exactly like that.