Starting from South America, speeding through the world

Chapter 166 A Wonderful Day

In the back seat of the black SUV, Hollen and Natalie sat side by side.

The sound of the wind was shut out of the window, leaving only the soft hum of the engine.

Hollen spoke up after the second traffic light turned green: "They found a match."

His tone was flat, as if he were talking about some completely unrelated topic.

"The explosive residue recovered in Texas matches the 'missing' stockpile of the Texas National Guard."

Natalie didn't turn her head; her hands remained on her knees.

Hollen continued narrating:

"The UPS truck was seen on the highway two hours before the incident."

"At the same time, two police officers were shot in the head and killed."

Natalie tilted her head back slightly, resting against the neck pillow, her eyes completely calm.

"This all sounds like you're deliberately leaking federal investigation secrets."

"Whatever you're implying, I have nothing to do with those people."

Upon hearing this, Hollen sneered, "You know very well that I'm not here to interrogate you."

“Tell those lunatics that whether they’re making a revolution or trying to build some kind of ‘new order,’ they should stop as soon as possible.”

"Or at least, learn to clean up the battlefield."

“You can contact them directly,” Natalie said calmly, “since you are so familiar with their ballistic parameters and whereabouts.”

Hollen finally turned around, his gaze finally settling on her face for the first time:

"Don't try that on me, Natalie."

He paused, then uttered a few stiff words: "I could have killed you."

After he finished speaking, the car fell silent.

The driver in front kept his eyes straight ahead, as if he hadn't heard such explosive news at all.

Natalie smiled. "Then why didn't you make a move?"

"Let me guess, is it because the arrest turned me into a benign symbol?"

“Yes.” Hollen, unusually, agreed with her.

"The masses now need a container for projecting their emotions."

"You're just right for me."

“Beautiful, victim, woman, media, pure blood”.

Natalie clapped her hands lightly twice: "You seem to understand public opinion better than Blair."

“This is not a compliment,” Hollen said expressionlessly.

"I don't need you to admire my media instincts."

"I only need you to understand one thing—"

"Whether you are involved or not, they will eventually find out the truth."

"Those explosion remnants, transportation routes, and communication frequencies will ultimately point to the culprit."

"And by then, the resulting repercussions will be beyond our control."

Natalie stared at him, a slow smile creeping onto her lips: "So what are you planning to do? Shoot me in the head right before boarding the plane?"

“No.” Hollen sighed. “I’ll make them investigate ‘not so quickly’.”

“What a kind father,” Natalie commented.

Hollen took two deep breaths, suppressing his anger, and said coldly:
"Don't mistake this for weakness."

"On the contrary, I am preventing the Democrats from committing suicide."

"Do you really think that if a series of events ultimately point to someone connected to you, the public will believe it's a coincidence?"

They won't say, "Oh my god, she was just accidentally shot."

“They would say, ‘The Democrats plotted to assassinate the Republican candidate.’”

"They will say we manipulate the media and use liberal journalists to cover up armed operations."

"you are still alive."

"Damn it, you have to live."

“That’s the key.”

“They used you as a shield, trapped you on the spot, and deliberately let you be captured on camera—forcing me to defend you.”

Do you know how brilliant that is?

As Hollen spoke, a rare hint of admiration even crept into his words.

"I have to admit, there aren't many people who can push the entire state apparatus to this point."

"And you, they used you perfectly."

Natalie scoffed, "Are you praising them or threatening me?"

Hollen remained noncommittal, turning his gaze to the airport signs that were gradually approaching outside the window.

“Every expression you make and every public appearance you make will be used by the media as a barometer.”

"If anything happens to you, we'll all go to hell with you."

"Therefore, I will make things difficult for the investigation and postpone the hearing."

"As long as you behave yourself."

"I will no longer act as a lookout, relay messages, or cover for them."

Natalie nodded thoughtfully. "A deal that benefits both sides." "It's not a deal," Hollen shook his head. "It's something you owe."

He paused for a few seconds, his eyes sharpening.

"You think I really don't want to kill you?"

"It's not that I don't want to, it's that I can't, at least not now."

"Your political value is more valuable than your name."

"Once you die, someone has to explain why you died."

"We can't use stupid excuses like suicide."

"Because the Republicans will attack us for trying to silence us, and platforms like FOX, TT, and Reddit will all be in an uproar."

"As long as you live, we still have room."

“Only if you remain quiet, silent, and do not lose control can this matter be characterized as ‘isolated extremism’.”

"You are now a tool."

"And once this election is over, and the spotlight is off..."

"You are no longer of any value."

“It’s wonderful,” Natalie exclaimed, almost in an aria. “Thank you, Democrassi, for giving me seven more days to live.”

Hollen twitched the corner of his mouth.

"It's not just you."

"Including those lunatics as well."

Sooner or later, I will find them.

"Find out who put that UPS truck in there, who detonated the explosives, and who killed Seville."

"At that time, I will personally order them to die a horrible death."

Natalie looked up and stared at the light strip on the roof of the car.

"So now all I have to do is obediently play the role of a symbol."

"Don't ask too many questions, don't meddle, and don't show up where you shouldn't."

"Everyone can live longer."

“That makes perfect sense,” she concluded softly.

The car turned into the terminal's parking area and gradually slowed down.

The driver coughed twice and then said, "We've arrived."

Before opening the car door, Natalie suddenly turned and glanced back at Hollen.

"In any case, thank you for your generosity."

Hollen did not respond, but simply raised his hand to signal the driver to leave.

In the early morning, a gentle breeze carried the chill of early autumn.

Just before Natalie was about to go through security, her phone vibrated twice.

She glanced down.

A text message.

No contact person.

It came from a string of unfamiliar numbers.

—In the women's restroom, under the sink.

Seeing this, Natalie casually put her phone back in her pocket and pressed the power button to turn it off.

Then, he went into the restroom and, after confirming that no one was around, threw the items directly into the water tank.

Then, she bent down and pulled a plastic bag stuck to the corner from under the table.

Inside was a used smartphone.

The screen lights up.

No SIM card.

The main interface only has an icon for an encrypted communication program.

Natalie clicked on it, and two unread messages immediately popped up.

—Arrival level, Bay 38 waiting area.

—Megabus M49, departs at 09:00, third row seats.

She sat in the cubicle and waited for a while until a group of tourists pushed their luggage in. Then she put on her hat and followed the crowd out.

Half an hour later, Natalie was already sitting on a bus leaving Washington.

After driving for about forty minutes, we arrived at the first stop.

A man wearing a gray hoodie and carrying a canvas bag walked up.

As I passed by her row, I plopped down on the opposite side.

Natalie instinctively became alert and was about to react when she saw the man take off his hood.

Good morning, Natalie.

"What a wonderful day."

Zhou Yi said.

(End of this chapter)