Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Public Humiliation

Sue Lawrence instinctively focused her gaze upward, but when she looked closer, she realized it had become a jumble of gibberish. Even the words "S Level Human-shaped Weapon" were garbled?

’Gibberish? It was perfectly clear a moment ago. I could see everything, couldn’t I?’

In that instant, alarm bells screamed in Sue Lawrence’s mind. She retracted her Eye of Barrier Breaking in a flash, maxing out her Perception and Observation Power. Her feline hearing kicked in as well. Right now, she was like a startled cat, fur bristling, with her Turtle’s Defense cranked all the way up.

’Was I discovered?’

’When did they find me?’

’Did they find me when I used the Eye of Barrier Breaking downstairs? After all, he was the first person I scanned, and the second was...’

She cautiously glanced at Silas Hawthorne. The man remained calm, his brow slightly furrowed as he considered the question Jason Sterling had posed, his excellent upbringing etched into his very bones.

’Could it be Silas Hawthorne? Or someone else? Are there other Superpower Users here? No, that can’t be right, I scanned all of them... wait, there’s still someone I haven’t checked. Marcus Morgan. Or maybe someone is hiding in the shadows?’

Sue Lawrence couldn’t control her instinct to shuffle to the side, but as luck would have it, she ended up closer to Jason Sterling.

Noticing her move closer, Jason Sterling glanced at her. The corners of his lips curved into a smug smile without him even realizing it. That small bit of proximity was enough to make his heart leap with joy.

But Sue Lawrence was as docile as a lamb, her heart in her throat. She didn’t dare breathe too loudly, forcing herself to remain calm for a good while.

’Don’t move. I really can’t move.’

Nearby, the Human-shaped Weapon, Theodore Frost, seemed lost in thought. Sue Lawrence continued to lie low.

In the room, only Jason Sterling was left chattering endlessly at Silas Hawthorne, who rarely responded, at most just nodding or slightly shaking his head.

This, however, made Jason Sterling feel even more pleased. He glanced at Sue Lawrence out of the corner of his eye and thought with conviction, ’Sue still has a place for me in her heart. Why else would she be so quiet, deliberately giving me the chance to talk to Silas Hawthorne?’

’In that case, I can’t waste this opportunity. I have to leave a good impression on Silas Hawthorne.’

"If the city government needs anything, our Sterling Group will certainly do everything in our power to help."

The moment he finished speaking, Silas Hawthorne, sure enough, looked over.

Jason Sterling’s heart leaped with joy. A smile had just begun to spread across his face when he heard Silas Hawthorne say calmly, "You should be telling that to Director Morgan."

"Pfft..."

Theodore Frost couldn’t hold back a laugh. Beside him, Sue Lawrence was also lowering her head and covering her mouth, desperately trying not to make a sound.

’No, I have to keep a low profile. I can’t cause another scene.’

’It’s still a mystery where that Superpower User is hiding and whether they’ve noticed me. But I’m still safe, so either they’re lying in wait for the right moment, or they didn’t notice me at all. I can only pray it’s the latter.’

Jason Sterling’s smile froze on his face. He was so embarrassed he could have dug a three-bedroom apartment with his toes.

After hastily finishing their boxed lunches and chatting for a while longer, Marcus Morgan finally announced the end of the meeting.

"I’ve called everyone here today to tell you that we will never abandon a single one of our compatriots. I also hope that those of you with Abilities will contribute more to society and its people. We will remember your efforts, and you will surely be rewarded in the future."

It was a heartfelt speech, but who could say how many people actually took it to heart.

Soon, Marcus Morgan and his group left, with Theodore Frost and Silas Hawthorne among them.

After they left, the remaining people gathered together, discussing what was said in the meeting as they slowly made their way out.

Jason Sterling followed behind Wyatt Sterling, walking out of the municipal hall.

"Dad, you guys go on ahead. I have something to do."

Wyatt Sterling nodded. Once his father had left, Jason Sterling frowned, pulled out his phone, and started looking for a private investigator’s number, ready to make the call.

"Jason."

Sue Lawrence, who had been watching him the whole time, sighed in resignation and had no choice but to walk over.

When Jason Sterling saw it was her, he quickly put his phone away, turned around, and looked at Sue Lawrence quietly.

In the past, she had always been the one to take the initiative. He had long since grown used to her breaking the silence, but not this time.

Sue Lawrence stood before him, not saying a word, just looking at him.

Jason Sterling grew a little impatient. "What is it?"

"..."

’It’s nothing, really. I just don’t want you calling up a private investigator on a whim. Tailing people is hard work, you know. So be a good boy, put the phone down, and go home. Stop making trouble.’

But there was no way she could say that out loud; she could only indulge in a silent rant. She considered her words, and just as she was about to speak, a sharp, mocking voice cut in—

"Well, well. I thought a proud horse never returns to its old pastures. What are you trying to pull with our Tiana away? Trying to be a homewrecker?"

’Oh, boy. That familiar voice, that familiar tone, that familiar passive-aggressive snark.’

She turned her head, and sure enough, saw Tia Norris. Tia Norris was coming from the parking lot, walking with her arm linked with Tiana Lynch’s.

"Jason." Tiana Lynch’s eyes were moist and glistening. She stared at how close the two were standing, and as she spoke, aggrieved tears began to fall. She looked as fragile and pitiful as if she were made of frost.

"Did you two have something to say? Am I interrupting? Otherwise, I-I can give you some space?"

Sue Lawrence rolled her eyes so hard they nearly flew out of her head.

’Then again, it made sense. As his girlfriend and fiancée, there was nothing wrong with Tiana Lynch coming to pick up her partner. Running into them was just my bad luck.’

’But that didn’t seem right, either. After all, Jason Sterling and Tiana Lynch’s Luck Values weren’t nearly high enough for this to be a coincidence... Were they here to deliver some "benefits" to me?’

Her gaze shifted ominously to Tia Norris.

’No way. Could I really be this lucky?’

’Right, is that hidden Superpower User still around?’ She glanced around cautiously, then finally gritted her teeth. ’Fortune favors the bold!’

’It would be great if I can lure them out with my own Superpower. Strike first and gain the upper hand. I’ll finish them off quickly and save myself from living on edge every day. If no one shows up, it just proves I never caught their attention in the first place. And that means I’m safe!’

’See? Going on the offensive is the best way to solve this once and for all. Cowering like a turtle in its shell will just mean living in fear forever.’

She directly activated her Superpower, the [Eye of Barrier Breaking]. She was going all in. ’It’s do or die.’

Sure enough, a line of words was floating prominently above Tia Norris’s head. Sue Lawrence immediately filtered out the black-colored skills, her gaze locked firmly on the top line of blue text.

[Ice Control Skill] (A Level)!

’It’s a Superpower!’

Sue Lawrence was ecstatic, unable to stop her lips from curling into a smile. ’No wonder these two had the guts to start something. They were a walking, talking Superpower resupply!’

She read on, her eyes shining even brighter: [Attack Skill. Can condense any liquid into incredibly hard ice and shape it freely. Creates a frozen domain with a 20-meter radius centered on the user, giving them absolute home-field advantage!]

’Good stuff. This is absolutely amazing stuff!’