Chapter 193: Director Lowell
That night, Candice Tate did not sleep soundly.
She woke up several times, and on two of those occasions, she woke up crying.
Each time she woke up crying, Candice Tate would apologize.
Sierra Sullivan would pull her into an embrace and comfort her with gentle words.
This wasn’t Candice Tate’s fault, nor was she being overly timid or fragile.
After all, Candice Tate was only five. It was normal for her to still be terrified after experiencing so much.
Fortunately, after Sierra Sullivan’s comforting, Candice Tate slept soundly through the later part of the night.
Since they had gone to bed early, it was only six in the morning when they woke up.
After washing up, they had breakfast together.
A hint of worry appeared on Yvonne Shelby’s face. "Jayce, are you going to send Candice Tate back?"
"Mom, don’t worry. In a little while, we’ll go with Candice Tate, finish today’s task, and then wait for Captain Grant to take us to the person in charge."
Seeing that Jayce had everything arranged, Yvonne Shelby nodded. "Since you have it all planned out, I won’t say any more. Do you need me to come with you?"
"No, that’s not necessary. You should rest at home," Jayce declined.
Even if Yvonne Shelby went, she wouldn’t be able to help much, so there was no point in her tagging along.
Jayce didn’t say this out loud, but Yvonne Shelby understood it perfectly well. Thus, she wasn’t bothered by his refusal and readily agreed.
Kevin Everett wanted to go with them, but he had to go to work today.
It took some convincing from Jayce before Kevin Everett finally left for work.
Sierra Sullivan held Candice Tate in her arms. "Don’t be afraid, Candice. Jayce and I will go with you. We won’t leave you there by yourself."
Candice Tate nodded vigorously. "I understand!"
But even as she said that, Candice Tate added a moment later, "Sierra, I can work hard, too. I’m not afraid of tough work. I just want you to come get me every day."
Hearing such mature words from her, Sierra Sullivan’s heart melted.
’How could a little girl be so thoughtful?’
’But the more mature she acts, the more determined I am to protect her and keep her from being exploited.’
Sierra Sullivan patted Candice Tate’s back but didn’t say anything else.
Jayce opened the door up ahead but didn’t immediately step outside.
Seeing Jayce’s back, Sierra Sullivan realized that someone must be outside.
’Could Captain Grant have come?’
Just as she was thinking this, she heard Hector Grant’s voice.
"Where are you all off to so early in the morning?"
Jayce took a step forward, and Hector Grant instinctively stepped aside.
It was only after Jayce was fully outside that Hector Grant saw Sierra Sullivan.
And at the same time, he saw Candice Tate in her arms.
Hector Grant was visibly stunned. "Candice Tate? How did you get her back here?"
He wasn’t just surprised; his voice had become audibly tense.
Jayce looked coolly at Hector Grant. "Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Wouldn’t you agree, Captain Grant?"
The corner of Hector Grant’s mouth twitched, but in the end, he couldn’t say a word.
He was feeling some rather complicated emotions.
Only yesterday, he’d said it was impossible for Sierra Sullivan and Jayce to bring Candice Tate back, and yet, here she was.
This was completely beyond his expectations.
"So, where are you going now?" Hector Grant finally found his voice.
’Surely they’re not planning to leave the base, are they?’
"To go with Candice Tate and finish today’s task, of course."
Jayce’s answer stunned Hector Grant once again.
’They brought her back, and now they’re sending her right back?’
But Hector Grant soon realized he had misunderstood.
He followed them to Candice Tate’s workplace.
Once inside, Jayce and Candice Tate, working together, completed more than the required task in just two hours.
The girl responsible for supervising Candice Tate was dumbfounded when she saw this.
Hector Grant, too, was lost in thought.
He’d heard Jayce was formidable, but he never expected him to be *this* formidable.
Candice Tate’s strength was understandable. She only had one Superpower, and she specialized in it. With her talent, it was natural for her to be powerful; there was nothing strange about it.
But Jayce had a Dual Ability, and for him to be this powerful was truly astonishing.
’Someone like Jayce... if he could also work ten hours a day, then the base’s rations...’
"Captain Grant." Jayce looked over at him.
His train of thought was interrupted, but Hector Grant wasn’t annoyed. He simply turned to Jayce and asked with a smile, "What is it?"
"Candice Tate’s task is finished. Can you take us to the person in charge of this matter now?"
Hector Grant hesitated for a moment. "Jayce, I still hope you’ll seriously consider what I said yesterday. This isn’t about one person; it’s for all the survivors in the base. Their rations—"
"Captain Grant," Jayce cut him off. "You can’t just flatter me and make empty promises. If I’m really doing this for all the survivors in the base, then shouldn’t I be the one with the greatest contribution? Shouldn’t I enjoy the highest privileges in the base? Should I be able to do whatever I want and get whatever I desire?"
Hector Grant was left speechless.
’How could that be possible?’
’Even if I agreed, the higher-ups never would.’
’The only reason I said all that was to get Jayce to work hard.’
’But Jayce is too smart; that kind of talk doesn’t work on him.’
"Alright, Captain Grant, don’t overthink it. You’re not the one in charge of this, so just take us to see the person who is."
Hector Grant sighed.
He knew Jayce was right.
"Since you’re so insistent, let’s go."
’Once we get there and he meets the person in charge, maybe Jayce will get a reality check. When he realizes some things can’t be changed, perhaps he’ll change his mind.’
’Young people are always like this—proud and rebellious. They get a little power and think they’re invincible.’
’Once reality teaches them a harsh lesson, they’ll naturally let go of these absurd ideas.’
After following Hector Grant for half an hour, they finally met the person they were looking for.
He was a slightly plump, middle-aged man wearing glasses. With a constant smile, he looked amiable and easy to talk to.
In reality, however, these types were old foxes.
They excelled at speaking in bureaucratic platitudes. It would seem like they said a lot, but upon careful reflection, they had said nothing at all.
They seemed approachable but were actually slippery, never giving anyone anything concrete to hold them to.
"Director Lowell," Hector Grant stepped forward. "This is Candice Tate’s brother and sister. They want to talk to you about her situation."
Director Lowell chuckled. "Ah, so you’re Candice Tate’s brother and sister. I’ve heard of you both—young prodigies, they say! But then I heard you went out on a mission and didn’t return for nearly a month. I was sweating bullets for you! It’s good you’re back safe and sound. Sit, please, sit! Whatever it is, we can discuss it comfortably."