Chapter 10 Settle The Score

• “F-Finnian?” he stammered, wearing an expression of utter disbelief. He couldn't fathom how Finnian had been released by the police, let alone how he had managed to scale up to the ninth floor.
• “Well played, Albert. How dare you trick me? I'm going to settle this score with you right now!” Finnian's voice dripped with cold disdain. Albert had set him up, and there was no way he could tolerate that.
• “Don't... don't come any closer...” Albert's voice quivered with fear. He retreated hastily, stumbling over a table and collapsing in a tangled heap.
• “I... I'm warning you, if you lay a hand on me, I'll call the police. You'll regret it...” Albert scrambled to get to his feet, but his legs were like jelly.
• “Rest assured, I won't resort to violence this time. I'm not one to repeat mistakes.” With a swift movement, Finnian brandished a silver needle that carried a cold glints and pricked a few acupuncture points on Albert's chest.
• “W-What are you trying to do?” Albert cried out in terror, frantically lifting his clothes. Miraculously, there wasn't a single trace or injury on his chest.
• Finnian reassured with a mischievous smile, “Don't panic. I've simply sealed a few acupoints on your body. Soon, you'll start to feel an unbearable itch all over. The more you scratch, the itchier it'll get. But don't worry, I'm not heartless. This discomfort will last at most three days. If you can endure it, we can consider our grudges settled.”
• After finishing his words, Finnian left without looking back.
• “Who do you think you're fooling? Do you think I'm as naive as a three-year-old child?”
• As Finnian's figure vanished from the balcony, Albert's agitation subsided, replaced by a cold smirk creeping onto his lips. He refused to believe that a few pricks by a silver needle could cause something so absurd to happen. Inwardly, he cursed Finnian, convinced that he must be deranged.
• Before he could finish cursing, a sudden numbness and itchiness began to spread across Albert's chest, swiftly enveloping his entire body. He scratched frantically, but to his dismay, the more he scratched, the more intense the itching became.
• Oh no. This brat wasn't just trying to scare me. I'd better see a doctor.
• Albert was taken aback by the discomfort but quickly dismissed it. It seemed like a minor allergic reaction, nothing to fret over. He was confident that a visit to the hospital for an IV drip and some medication would alleviate the discomfort.
• At around five in the afternoon, Finnian arrived outside the Northern District Police Department. He had arranged to treat Lindsay to a meal as a gesture of gratitude for her assistance.
• Before long, Lindsay pulled up in a sleek red Volkswagen worth over two hundred thousand. Rolling down the window, she gestured for Finnian to hop in.
• Finnian's family wasn't affluent, especially after his mother's recent car accident, which had drained their finances considerably. Lindsay was mindful of this fact. Not wanting Finnian to spend too much money, she decided to take him to a more budget-friendly location. After navigating through a few streets, Lindsay drove Finnian to a commercial area tucked away behind the bustling district.
• At the intersection of the commercial street, a vibrant array of food stalls lined the sidewalks, each offering wallet-friendly and economical meals. Here, a satisfying meal could be had for at most a couple of hundred.
• Exiting the car, they arrived at a bustling food truck.
• “Lindsay, feel free to order anything you like,” Finnian offered warmly, appreciating Lindsay's consideration.
• “Don't call me Lindsay. It's too formal. Just like old times, call me Linds,” Lindsay interjected, her gaze fixed on Finnian's face, her tone carrying a hint of ambiguity.
• “Um, Linds...” Finnian scratched his head awkwardly. In their younger days, addressing Lindsay affectionately as “Linds” felt natural, given her tomboyish demeanor. However, seeing her now, transformed into a stunning beauty, made him feel a tad uneasy using such an intimate term.
• “Finn, there's something I've been meaning to ask you,” Lindsay finally voiced the question that had been weighing on her mind for some time. “Your grades were outstanding back then, and your university entrance exam scores were high enough to secure you a spot in a prestigious university. So why didn't you pursue further studies? Why did you choose to enlist in the army instead?” Throughout high school, Finnian's academic prowess had been unparalleled, consistently ranking first in the entire school. He had even earned the moniker of the “Ace Student” of Newcove High School.
• As far as Lindsay knew, Finnian's university entrance exam results were impressive. He had received offers from several prestigious universities across the country. However, to everyone's surprise, Finnian made the decision to drop out and enlist in the military. Following his enlistment, he vanished without a trace, and the two of them lost contact.
• “Linds, you're aware of my family's financial struggles,” Finnian explained after a brief silence. “My parents could only afford to send one of us to university, and I wanted to give that opportunity to my sister.” That was just one aspect of his decision. Another was his commitment to his master's wishes. His master had urged him to join the military, and he didn't let his master down. He was swiftly selected into the Dragon Team, where he experienced substantial personal growth over the past six years.
• “No wonder.” Lindsay believed in Finnian and sympathized with his sacrifice.
• As they conversed, an Audi pulled up nearby. The window rolled down, revealing a young man of around twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a polished and refined appearance, poking his head out.
• “Linds? What are you doing here?” The refined gentleman regarded Lindsay with a surprised expression.
• His name was Trevor Livingston, a former high school classmate of Finnian and Lindsay. He had pursued Lindsay during their school days, albeit unsuccessfully.
• Up until six months ago, Trevor had crossed paths with Lindsay once more. He was taken aback by how much she had blossomed, her beauty leaving him utterly astounded. Hence, he once again tried asking Lindsay out. However, despite his efforts, Lindsay remained indifferent, never giving him a second glance.
• “I'm having a meal with Finnian.” Lindsay gestured toward Finnian as she spoke.
• “Finnian?” Only then did Trevor notice Finnian. His expression darkened, and he spoke in a sarcastic tone. “Oh, if it isn't Finnian the Ace Student? Heard you went off to join the army. What brings you back?”
• “I've been discharged from the military,” Finnian replied casually. In their school days, Finnian had been the top student, while Trevor's grades were just average. Although they hadn't mingled much, Trevor's jealousy over Lindsay's association with Finnian had caused some friction between them.
• However, that was all in the past, and Finnian didn't take it to heart.
• “It's good that you've been discharged. Being a soldier isn't all that glamorous these days,” Trevor remarked, a dismissive smirk gracing his lips. Observing the intimate dynamic between Lindsay and Finnian, he felt jealous. “Finnian, I must say, I never expected your bond with Linds to remain so strong after all these years.”
• “Of course, our friendship will always remain strong,” Finnian replied, unaware of the fleeting hint of disappointment in Lindsay's eyes.
• “This place feels suffocating, with all the smoke and fumes,” Trevor remarked, waving his hand to clear the oily smoke while wearing a disapproving frown. “Finnian, no offense, but if you're treating Linds to dinner, you should choose a more upscale restaurant. Bringing her here seems rather... underwhelming.”
• “This is my choice, and I think it's just fine,” Lindsay interjected with a faint smile. Having completed her shift, she had exchanged her police uniform for a tight-fitting mini-dress which accentuated her feminine charm. Her unparalleled beauty made everything else around her pale in comparison.
• Trevor watched with a pang of envy, bitterness flooding his heart. Over the past six months of pursuing Lindsay, he had attempted to arrange meals with her multiple times, only to face rejection each instance. Yet, here she was, more than willing to share a meal at a food truck with Finnian. It's always frustrating to compare yourself with someone.