Chapter 50: The Reason

In Morley’s office, Morley faced Sean, Liz, and Turan.

“Why won’t you believe me? She had a second awakening—she definitely did!”

“Grangua!”

Morley stopped Sean’s outburst. At that moment, the phone on the desk rang.

Morley answered, “Hello, Order Officer’s Office.”

She listened quietly, responding with several “hmms,” then sighed, “That’s really good news.”

Liz looked at Morley eagerly—though uncertain who was on the other end, she guessed it was probably the underground hospital.

“All right, one more question,” Morley glanced at Sean, “What is Hesta’s current awakening status?”

Everyone held their breath.

“…Understood,” Morley hung up and told Sean, “Hesta did not have a second awakening. She was just injured and lost consciousness.”

Liz stood up immediately, pointing at Sean with a harsh voice, “What did you do to Hesta—”

“Don’t you dare slander me again! All I did was take her hits!”

“Fletcher, sit down!” Morley said sternly. “Hesta’s injuries were definitely not caused by Sean.”

The office fell into a temporary silence again.

Sean sneered coldly from the side. “See? I told you.”

“Control your temper,” Morley shot him a cold glance. “Regardless, you are a second-awakened reserve Mercury Needle. When Hesta provoked you, you could have escaped—why did you deliberately stand your ground and get involved with her?”

Sean squinted his bruised eyes, his face twisted in dramatic absurdity.

“Unbelievable, Ms. Morley…” He spread his hands. “You said Hesta ‘provoked’ me first. Are you blaming me now? Do you think I, as the victim, didn’t act perfectly when confronted by the aggressor?”

Morley remained unmoved. “Please answer my question directly.”

“Of course I was trying to figure out what was going on!” Sean argued passionately. “I knew her strength couldn’t hurt me, so I endured the pain and tried to clear things up—”

Liz interrupted angrily, “You definitely did something to provoke her.”

“Where’s the proof?” Sean glanced sideways. “I’ve said countless times, this morning I just accidentally bumped into Hesta in the hallway. She went crazy and chased me, hitting me. I kept my composure like a gentleman and didn’t fight back once, look!”

Sean rolled up his sleeve, showing the bruises on his arm to Liz.

“Hesta wouldn’t cause trouble without reason—”

“She was causing trouble for no reason today!”

“Enough!” Morley frowned deeply. She had just received the noon surveillance footage and Mrs. Lavette’s testimony—Mrs. Lavette had been so frightened she was now hospitalized underground.

Morley opened the file and silently watched the entire surveillance.

12:36:14 Two people meet in the hallway, brush past each other, Sean bumps into Hesta.

12:36:38 Sean raises his hand, seemingly apologizing to Hesta.

12:36:43 Hesta ignores him; both walk off in different directions.

12:37:21 Hesta suddenly stops, backs to the camera, rolls up her sleeve, doing something unknown.

12:37:27 Hesta turns and rushes toward Sean, soon grappling with him.

Sean hadn’t lied—he was beaten the whole time, never fighting back once.

Looking at Mrs. Lavette’s testimony, Morley narrowed her eyes.

“Has Hesta been asking you about her key?” Morley asked Sean. “Did you take any of her keys?”

“That’s exactly what I’ve been asking. The base doesn’t use keys, only access cards. Even if she lost her key, she can’t just go around beating me up.”

“Do you know what it is?” Morley turned to Liz and Turan. “Is it something important to Hesta?”

Liz and Turan shook their heads in confusion. Turan suddenly recalled, “I think I saw a key tied to her arm when we were showering before.”

“What’s it for?”

“...I don’t know.”

Sean stood up. “May I leave now, Ms. Morley?”

“Yes,” Morley replied. “But before Hesta wakes up, please stay inside the apartment. Don’t go anywhere.”

“Understood.” Sean stepped forward to Morley. “One more thing, Ms. Morley. Hesta assaulted me openly while no one was home. The base will handle her case impartially, right?”

“Of course,” Morley raised an eyebrow, looking at Sean. “The base does not favor either side.”

“That’s good. I’ll be watching,” he said, turning to Liz. “Miss Fletcher, remember this: your initial indulgence led to her extreme behavior. Sometimes, protecting one side excessively is extreme injustice to the other.”

Facing those present, Sean tipped his air hat politely. “Enjoy your chat; I’m going back to heal.”

After Sean left, Morley looked at Liz.

“Although Hesta is out of danger, she has fractures in her humerus, scapula, and ribs, Liz.”

Liz was stunned, then immediately rushed out. “That brat Sean—”

“This isn’t because of anyone else. It’s because of you!” Morley said gravely. “You hugged her while activating bullet time—why would you do that? Using full strength to hold a normal person in bullet time?”

Liz froze again.

She turned back in disbelief. “...Because of me?”

“Have you considered that your actions might have crushed her upper body into three parts?” Morley scolded. “Why did you do that?”

Liz was at a loss.

At that moment, she had a strong intuition—without bullet time, she might not have stopped Hesta.

But that didn’t make sense… Hesta hadn’t had a second awakening, so how could she not be stopped?

Liz raised her hand and ran her fingers through her hair, pulling it back hard.

“…I don’t know, Ms. Morley. Maybe… I misjudged.”

“You should reflect on this seriously,” Morley said. “Perhaps assigning you as Hesta’s assistant wasn’t a wise decision.”

...

After leaving the office building, Sean hummed to himself as he walked alone.

The weather was fine today, and his mood was even better. In the empty corridor, he unconsciously started dancing.

Passing a fountain, he spun lightly and casually tossed something into the water.

After a faint splash, a silver key slowly sank to the bottom.