Chapter 8 Nice To Meet You

• The pitch-black darkness of the late night made it impossible to discern the scene within the van. However, even from a considerable distance, Eleanor could still hear the pained groans emanating from inside the vehicle.
• Compared to the Toyota controlled by Chadwick, the impact suffered by the van was evidently much greater.
• The van driver clambered out from behind the wheel, his face smeared with blood. His arm was bent at an unnatural angle, with stark white bone protruding from the broken area, presenting a horrifying sight.
• Upon witnessing this scene, even Eleanor, who was the captain of the Criminal Investigation Division, couldn't help but furrow her brow. However, Chadwick remained expressionless.
• “Are you still going to run?” After confirming there was no longer any threat, Chadwick finally laughed. His smile was laced with mockery as if he was ridiculing the kidnappers for their overconfidence.
• The van driver coughed painfully twice, his eyes pleading as he looked at Chadwick, seemingly begging for mercy.
• However, he evidently pleaded to the wrong person, as Chadwick was never known to be a man of mercy.
• Soon, he met his final moment.
• Bang!
• Without any hesitation, Chadwick pulled the trigger again. The bullet accurately pierced through the van driver's head, causing blood to splatter everywhere.
• “What are you doing? He's already defenseless!” Eleanor cried out again after witnessing this scene, disbelief evident in her eyes. She couldn't understand why Chadwick could be so heartless.
• Even when the Criminal Investigation Division was handling cases, killing the suspect was always the last resort. However, when it came to Chadwick, it seemed to have become a common occurrence.
• “I took down the criminals and rescued the hostage.” Chadwick's face lit up with a gentle smile, but this smile sent shivers down Eleanor's spine involuntarily.
• However, now was not the time for Eleanor to dwell on Chadwick's methods. She quickly realized that their mission was not to eliminate the criminals but to rescue Kathleen.
• Sh*t. This is a severe car accident. Will Ms. Castillo be fine? Looking at the van that had been deformed due to the violent impact, Eleanor's heart clenched in fear.
• Right after that thought occurred to her, Eleanor's eyes suddenly widened.
• She saw Chadwick suddenly place his hands on top of the van. Then, with a low shout, he managed to flip the overturned van back upright using his own strength.
• Immediately after, Chadwick began to straighten out the prison uniform he hadn't had the chance to change out of. He rubbed his face and put on a kind smile, then courteously opened the back door of the van.
• Inside the car, traces of blood were visible on Kathleen's face. She was trembling all over. It was clear she was quite shaken.
• However, judging by her appearance, it seemed she hadn't sustained any injuries, not even a minor one.
• By this time, Eleanor had already reached Chadwick's side. She naturally noticed Kathleen unharmed, but compared to the two other criminals who had lost their lives due to the car accident, Kathleen's condition was obviously beyond her expectations.
• “How... how is she unharmed?” Eleanor asked, somewhat dazed. Of course, she wasn't wishing harm upon Kathleen, but the irrationality of the current situation left her perplexed.
• Upon hearing Eleanor's question, Chadwick burst out laughing.
• “I dealt with the kidnapper beside her moments ago. When the van flipped, that same kidnapper happened to be beneath her, acting as a cushion and breaking her fall. Consequently, she emerged unharmed.”
• “And...” Chadwick pointed to the safety belt around Kathleen's waist, saying, “The other kidnappers, being too cool to wear seatbelts, got what they deserved.”
• After saying this, Chadwick grinned and patted Eleanor's shoulder, saying, “This story tells us to pay attention to road safety and make sure to fasten your seatbelt.”
• Chadwick's humor had no effect. All he received was Eleanor's eye-roll.
• At this moment, seemingly because of Eleanor's police uniform, Kathleen finally recovered a bit from the shock and fear.
• “Are you... here to rescue me?” Kathleen spoke with a somewhat stuttering voice, clearly still in shock.
• Chadwick's eyes lit up instantly. Without waiting for Eleanor's response, he stepped forward and performed a standard Uprian bow.
• “Ms. Castillo, hello. My name is Chadwick Woolley. Nice to meet you.”
• As he spoke, Chadwick raised his head, locking eyes with Kathleen, both mutually appraising each other.
• Did he just get released from jail? Kathleen frowned imperceptibly. The image of Chadwick shooting someone just a while ago was still vivid in her mind.
• They returned to Kathleen's house in the mansion district of Forlisle Bay.
• As the saying goes, “Money makes the world go round.” Even though it was late at night, the large gate that had been blown up by the criminals at Kathleen's house had been mysteriously repaired at some point.
• At that very moment, Kathleen and Chadwick were seated across from each other on the living room couch. In front of them, Kathleen's brand-new laptop was on.
• “Grandpa Maxwell, is he the bodyguard you hired for me?” Kathleen's tone finally showed some fluctuations, no longer as cold as before.
• However, the shock and disbelief in her tone involuntarily made Chadwick raise his eyebrows.
• “You don't like it?” Without waiting for Maxwell in the video to speak, Chadwick impatiently interrupted, “If it weren't for this old geezer forcing me to protect you, do you think I'd willingly come?”
• “Since you're unwilling as well, the door is right there. Feel free to leave. I won't see you out!” Kathleen couldn't wait for Chadwick to disappear from her sight immediately.
• “I'm sorry. I've promised this old man to protect you for a year. Although I also want to leave, I have no merits except for one—keeping my promises. So, no matter what complaints you have, keep them to yourself. It's just one year, and it will pass quickly.”
• Chadwick pouted, looking very reluctant.
• “You...” Kathleen was almost speechless with anger at Chadwick's words.
• At that moment, Maxwell finally found an opportunity to speak.
• “Enough, stop talking.” Maxwell sighed helplessly and told Kathleen, “Kathleen, it's a critical time. Don't be stubborn. Like tonight, if Chadwick hadn't arrived in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable.”
• “But—” Kathleen wanted to argue.
• “Enough, stop talking. The decision is made.” Maxwell finally asserted his authority.
• With that, Maxwell seemed unwilling to give them room for further debate and decisively ended the video call.
• The atmosphere in the living room became silent. Neither Chadwick nor Kathleen showed any intention of speaking.
• Finally, Kathleen realized that the situation seemed irreversible. She let out a long sigh and said, “Find a room for yourself on the second floor. The third floor is my territory, and you're not allowed up there!”
• Seeing Chadwick nod, Kathleen continued, “Since you're a bodyguard, you should come with me to the company tomorrow. Oh, and change your clothes.”
• This time, Chadwick finally made a move.
• “I'm broke.” Chadwick spread his hands, his face the picture of innocence.
• Having just been released from the underwater prison, he was naturally penniless.
• However, seeing Chadwick's nonchalant expression, Kathleen couldn't help but feel annoyed again. She angrily took out a stack of cash from under the coffee table and slapped it on the table.
• “This is an advance on your salary. Take half a day off tomorrow morning, and buy whatever you need!”
• After saying that, Kathleen hurriedly went upstairs, as if spending even a moment with Chadwick was torture.
• Sitting in the living room, Chadwick watched Kathleen's graceful figure as she went upstairs and couldn't help but grin.
• Is this considered... cohabitating with a beauty? I guess it is...
• Thinking about it, Chadwick suddenly felt that the upcoming year as a bodyguard might not be so difficult to endure.