Chapter 317: Chapter 217: Old Acquaintance
While Nora Lowell was in Norgate, appearing as a Zombie and recognizing Shawn Monroe in his disguise as Seth Howell, Paige Summers was back in Central City, completely oblivious to this turn of events.
After getting a simple map drawn by Hugh Whitlock, she quickly left Jovitas and drove straight to the E-level residential area in District Four.
This area was a gathering place for low-level superpower users. It was crowded, the security was poor, and fights were common. It was a far cry from the B-level residential area where they had first lived; one could only imagine the chaos.
However, the crowds and chaos also made it the perfect place to lay low.
It was especially good for those who, for one reason or another, couldn’t show their faces in public.
People like Milton Faraday, for instance. And the person Paige Summers was currently looking for.
The buildings here were mostly single-story houses arranged in tightly packed rows. The houses within each row were built right up against each other, with even less space in between. In other words, if a couple wanted to get some "exercise" at night, the neighbors several units down would get a live broadcast.
It was a miserable way to live.
But to survive, many people could endure almost any hardship.
Paige Summers parked her car outside a row of houses. The area inside was too narrow, so she had to get out and walk.
Standing before the door to number 48, she knocked gently three times.
There was immediate movement from within. Instead of answering, the person came straight to the door and opened it.
The man standing in the doorway had messy hair long enough to nearly cover his eyes, a scruffy beard, and deep, dark circles beneath them. He exuded an air of destitution and decay.
Sizing him up, Paige Summers raised an eyebrow, glanced around, and said, "To my car."
The man paused for a second, then nodded silently.
They were soon in the car. Paige Summers started the engine and drove to a secluded street near her old residence before pulling over to the side.
The man hadn’t spoken a word, and the atmosphere in the car was palpably tense.
After a long moment, Paige Summers suddenly said, "A good disguise... If I didn’t already know you, I wouldn’t have recognized you as the former resident doctor of The Citadel in The Dead City."
Stroking the prickly stubble on his chin, Quentin Sutton’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Are you making fun of me?"
Paige Summers shook her head earnestly.
Quentin Sutton let out a silent sigh of relief. He was just opening his mouth to smoothly offer a compliment—’You’re even more beautiful than before’—when Paige Summers said, "I’m just glad for Nola’s sake. It’s a good thing she didn’t stay by your side."
Quentin Sutton was left speechless.
’This woman really knows how to twist the knife!’
After a long silence, he suppressed the turmoil in his heart and asked softly, "Is she... doing okay now?"
"Very well. You must know that she moved to District 2 with our Hunting Party a long time ago. The living conditions are naturally much better than here. And she’s very driven, desperately working on her superpower Cultivation. She once said that if she ever saw you again, she would kill you." Paige didn’t use a harsh tone, simply stating the facts. She knew that saying it like this was far more cutting. ’Even though this man didn’t become one of Nora Lowell’s supporters like in the novel, he still managed to earn my disgust after what happened with Nola.’
"...I figured as much."
Quentin Sutton paused, wanting to ask more about Nola, but Paige Summers changed the subject again. "All right, let’s get down to business. The rumor going around is that Sheldon Reid had a problem with his superpower Cultivation and then disappeared along with Nora Lowell. That was Shawn Monroe’s handiwork, wasn’t it? He’s certainly got skills. I remember our agreement was only to destroy Sheldon Reid’s relationship with The Power Corps and alienate commanders like Kiera Walsh. He clearly went above and beyond."
The corner of Quentin Sutton’s mouth twitched, and a flash of irritation went through him. He had to fight the urge to grab her by the collar and demand she let him finish speaking before cutting him off.
But, in the end, he did nothing.
’What right do I have to lose my temper now?’
A little awkwardly, he forced himself to forget the conversation about Nola and said, "Sheldon Reid’s superpower didn’t malfunction—he was poisoned. Unfortunately, the poison wasn’t subtle enough, so it was discovered. He must have had an Antidote on hand, but regardless of whether it’s the correct one, this poison isn’t easy to flush out completely. Since his trusted men got him out, they definitely won’t return to their camp. They’ll most likely fall back to Central City to regroup. You... should prepare yourself."
Paige Summers sighed. "You don’t need to worry about that. What I need to tell you is that Andy left for Norgate a few days ago, but he disappeared en route. It’s highly likely he was abducted by Sheldon Reid."
"What?!" Quentin Sutton was stunned.
"Why else do you think I rushed back from the south? A lot of people from Bloodfall are already out searching, but he’s still missing." She glanced at Quentin Sutton’s shifting expression and continued, "When you and Shawn Monroe approached me about a partnership, the poison you both willingly took as a show of good faith was made by Andy. Naturally, he has the Antidote. I know you two have your own way of communicating. You had better contact him as soon as possible and tell him to be on the lookout for any sign of Andy over there. Otherwise, when your time is up, if we still haven’t found him... even if Shawn is powerful enough to bring all of Norgate under his control, he won’t be able to save your lives."
