Chapter 166 Finally Meeting

I once dreamt of the old steel mill, shrouded in fog, with kids walking away from me, not wanting to talk.

In reality, I had been to the Entertainment Club, where the manager loved to tell tall tales. Ronald almost tricked me at the door, and there were the reserved Tammy and Lally, and Douglas, whom I had never met.

Twenty years ago, a fire turned all truths to ashes.

Twenty years later, another fire blazed fiercely, with thick black smoke and crimson flames shooting up into the cold winter sky.

It was already evening, and the fire seemed like a torch lighting up the entire horizon.

Silverlight City, usually cloaked in smog, was now illuminated. Fire trucks were setting up, and police and National Guard reinforcements were arriving.

Leonard, Benjamin, Ruben, and I got out of the car. The fire chief stationed outside hurried over, his expression serious, eyes bloodshot, and his clothes covered in soot, indicating multiple failed attempts to enter the building.

"What's the situation inside?" Leonard asked gravely, skipping the formalities.

This fire would mark a turning point for law enforcement in Silverlight City. The police department would undergo a corruption purge, with tainted officers rooted out.

"The firefighters can't get in, and the snipers outside can't find a position to take a shot. It seems the building was designed with this in mind. The snipers have no angle to take Ronald down."

Leonard nodded, squinting at the flames, then looking up at the rooftop. "On the roof?"

"Yes."

"There are many hostages inside. Forcing our way in could be fatal for them. Have you discussed a solution?"

The SWAT commander replied seriously, "My plan is to deploy a special team to take Ronald down quickly and rescue the hostages. You distract him from the front. If I get a two-second window, my shot will hit his forehead."

Leonard was silent, looking up for a long time. Following his gaze, I thought I saw Ronald's shadow through the smoke. Their eyes met, filled with disdain and contempt.

"How confident are you?" Leonard asked.

The SWAT commander hesitated, then said firmly, "Ninety percent."

"That means there's still a ten percent chance of failure. How can one person's will outweigh so many lives? How can your risky decision represent everyone's right to life, or the authority of Silverlight City? Are you a lone hero?"

The commander wanted to speak, but Leonard waved him off.

"It's not your fault. These words are for both of us. When problems arise, we must actively solve them. Your justice and courage are commendable, and your self-sacrifice is admirable, but it's not the best choice."

Just then, Leonard's phone rang. The caller ID read: [State Police Ronald].

He answered and put it on speaker.

"Leonard."

"Ronald." Leonard replied calmly.

"Today is a day for reminiscing. I remember the first time I met you, I knew you were special. Others saw you as cautious and lacking potential, but I saw something in you." Ronald's voice was as arrogant as ever.

"Thanks for the compliment. When I first met you, I knew you were something else. You cracked so many cases after that. Even though I'm older, I looked up to you. But I never thought you'd fall this far. Let's cut the crap, Ronald. Let go of your obsession, release the hostages, and stop this pointless fight. Seek leniency. I'll do everything I can..." Leonard said earnestly.

"How hypocritical. How much deceit do you need to drop your masks and be real? For power, you've been ruthless too. You just chose to suppress your desires and ambition, constantly enduring... To me, that's pathetic. Enough, Leonard. Put Nancy on."

I was stunned. Why did Ronald want to talk to me?

"This is Nancy. I'm here. Is Alan up there?"

"No, but you'll see him soon." Ronald paused, then said slowly, "You, Leonard, and Alan come up. It's time to end this."

He hung up.

Would I be meeting Alan shortly?

I saw the complex and evasive look in Leonard's eyes and understood a bit. I sighed and asked, "Leonard, when did you start contacting Alan?"

A surge of inexplicable anger, long-suppressed frustration, and pain erupted into a roar.

"Answer me, Leonard! Why did you hide this from me? What else haven't you told me?"

"Why did you lie to me? Do you know what I've been through these past months? When did you start contacting him? Did you know the whole story from the beginning? Why did you all keep me in the dark? Am I just a puppet to you? Tell me!"

I lost control, shaking off Benjamin's restraint.

It had been too long, too oppressive. I never imagined Leonard was involved in this.

And Alan? Was he deceiving me too?

Why did everyone hide the truth from me? I had been chasing the truth, only to find I was being manipulated like a puppet.

I broke down, overwhelmed by defeat, tears streaming down my face. Leonard's expression was complex, and he remained silent.

"Alan! Get out here! I'll count to three!" I shouted.

"One! Two!"

I choked, my throat feeling blocked. Just as I was about to shout three, that familiar voice, the one I had heard countless times in my dreams over the past few months, sounded behind me.

The voice was weary, weak, trembling. My body shook, thinking it was an illusion, and I didn't dare turn around.

"Nancy, I just met Leonard a few days ago. Don't shout so loudly. You'll disturb everyone's work."

I turned around.

For months, I had walked the streets, turning around countless times, imagining Alan smiling at me from the crowd.

Each time, I was disappointed, but I stayed strong, rational, and determined, following every lead to get here.

That voice.

I turned around.

Alan, in a black tracksuit, pale-faced, stood trembling among the crowd, smiling at me, just like always.

Just like the first time I saw him on the college track over a decade ago.

Just like every time I saw him after work at the company entrance.

Just like every morning when I woke up and saw him.

The same smile, the same warmth, the same Alan.

I ran over and hugged him tightly.