Free Web NovelChapter 166: Chapter 166: Shut Up, Little Jinx
"Even though current technical issues have driven up the cost of maglev trains, it’s crucial that we press on with the research, whether it’s the current sixth-generation technology or the seventh and eighth generations to come."
"What’s more, our research into maglev isn’t just about making transportation more convenient for the public. It’s about putting Zenthia’s technology at the forefront of the world and securing a greater say on the global stage."
"This is why we must keep researching maglev. This is the significance of exploring the unknown."
No one had expected Chloe Sinclair to stand up and say such a thing. Everyone was stunned.
For many in the room, Chloe Sinclair’s words were a sudden revelation.
Her words helped some of them finally understand the purpose of studying Physics.
The professor’s eyes crinkled with a smile. "Chloe Sinclair is absolutely right. We study and research Physics to advance our technology. Having a voice on the world stage is incredibly important these days. A single word could bring about earth-shattering changes for Zenthia. And all of you... you are Zenthia’s future."
The professor had just finished speaking when the dismissal bell rang.
After a long day of classes, Chloe Sinclair was finally free.
Remembering the tens of millions that had arrived in her account that day, she decided to use the afternoon to go to the bank and handle the formalities.
Chloe Sinclair hailed a cab and went to the bank.
The moment she stepped inside, she heard a loud BANG.
Chloe Sinclair had no time to react.
Immediately after, the bank doors were forced shut.
"Get down! Hands on your head!"
Chloe Sinclair was shoved into the crowd. When she looked up, she saw several men in black short-sleeved shirts. They were holding guns, their faces hidden by thick ski masks, with only their cruel, vicious eyes visible.
Chloe Sinclair instantly realized what was happening.
Her lips twitched. She remembered what she’d told Eight last night, and a profound sense of resignation washed over her.
’Host, based on my observations, it seems someone beat you to the punch!’
Chloe Sinclair: ’Would you please shut up, you little jinx!’
Right now, all she wanted was for that jinx Eight to shut its mouth.
Just then, one of the robbers saw Chloe Sinclair lift her head and bellowed, "I said get down! Or I’ll blow you all away!"
Chloe Sinclair immediately ducked her head, vaguely hearing the sound of stifled sobs from the crowd around her.
The woman squatting next to Chloe Sinclair was middle-aged. She whispered furtively, "Don’t be afraid, dear. I’ll protect you."
Chloe Sinclair glanced at the woman out of the corner of her eye. She suddenly felt the woman looked familiar.
She frowned.
’Eight, use some points and run a check for me.’
’This gang just robbed the jewelry store next door before coming to the bank. In your previous life, before the robbers left, they strapped bombs to the hostages. No one survived. The woman next to you was the only one who dared to fight back.’
Chloe Sinclair gasped.
She instinctively looked at the somewhat heavyset woman before her.
’To think that someone like her would dare to fight back against a gang of ruthless criminals.’
Chloe Sinclair kept her head down, her mind racing as she evaluated various escape plans.
But there were simply too many people in the bank. Casualties would be unavoidable.
"Young lady, do you see the alarm on the wall?" the woman beside her suddenly whispered.
Chloe Sinclair froze for a second. Her eyes darted toward it, and then she nodded.
"In a minute, I’ll create a distraction. You go and press the alarm on the sly."
When Chloe Sinclair didn’t respond, the woman assumed she was scared of the robbers and quickly reassured her, "Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you. Once the police get here, we’ll be safe."
Chloe Sinclair studied the woman for a long moment before finally nodding.
The two of them exchanged a few more words, their voices barely audible.
Finally, the woman asked, "Got it?"
Chloe Sinclair still didn’t say a word, but this time, she nodded firmly.
Meanwhile, the robbers had finished collecting the money.
"Boss, this is all there is."
One of the robbers brought over a few cases. When he opened them, they were filled with stacks of cash.
A rough estimate put the total at one or two million.
But the robbers weren’t satisfied. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
"Fuck, that’s it? Did you search everywhere?"
"We did. This is really it."
After he said that, the robbers’ gazes all turned in unison toward the hostages squatting on the floor.
The robbers exchanged a look, then split up and began frisking the hostages for bank cards and other valuables.
The woman and Chloe Sinclair were in the far corner of the room.
As they watched a robber slowly approach them, both of their expressions darkened.
"What are you two staring at? Hand over all your valuables. Now!"
Seeing that neither of them moved and were instead clutching their bags tightly, the robber lashed out with a kick.
Chloe Sinclair was closer and took the full force of the kick.
In that exact moment, the system’s invincibility mode activated. Chloe Sinclair wasn’t hurt at all.
However, the force of the kick sent Chloe Sinclair flying several meters, landing her just three or four meters away from the alarm.
The violent act made the other hostages cry out in alarm, causing a stir.
Seeing Chloe Sinclair lying on the floor, seemingly unable to get up, filled them with even more terror.
The robber saw Chloe Sinclair still on the ground and turned his attention to the middle-aged woman.
The woman hadn’t expected the robber to be so brutal. She looked on worriedly at Chloe Sinclair, who lay motionless on the floor.
Just as she was about to speak, Chloe Sinclair suddenly lifted her head and gave her a subtle nod.
The woman understood instantly. She had already been in the process of handing over her purse.
The next second, however, she suddenly screamed, "That’s my husband’s life-saving money! You can’t take it!"
He’d already gotten his hands on the purse, so he was shocked when the woman suddenly put up a fight.
His expression soured, and he raised a hand to strike her.
Panicked sounds erupted all around—shrieks and sobs—as everyone’s attention was drawn to the confrontation.
Seizing the opportunity, Chloe Sinclair moved with lightning speed. Ensuring no one was looking her way, she silently pressed the alarm. Not only that, she also dialed the police and muted the call.
Once that was done, Chloe Sinclair crawled back to her original spot and pretended to struggle to her feet, acting as if she were in pain.
"BANG—"
Someone fired a shot. The crying and shouting in the bank stopped instantly.
Chloe Sinclair tilted her head, looked at the woman a short distance away, and gave her a nod.
「Twenty minutes later」
The robbers had finished stripping everyone of their valuables and were about to leave when their leader stopped short and turned around.
A cruel smile spread across his face. "No need to leave any of them alive."
The other robbers understood instantly.
They exchanged glances, then pulled out dozens of ropes of various lengths from their bags.
Then, their sinister gazes fell upon the people cowering on the floor.
