Chapter 4
"No, this can't be happening..." Chris muttered under his breath, barely able to stand.
His greatest source of pride, the secret he used to manipulate others, was exposed in broad daylight, mercilessly judged by a cold, mechanical device.
Hayden snapped his tablet shut, his expression nonchalant, like he'd simply finished another routine task.
"Chris Grant, S-Class special. Your ability, 'Thought Broadcast,' allows you to pick a target and project your thoughts directly into their mind as a voice. Preliminary assessment suggests you've been abusing your power and maliciously influencing others' minds," Hayden announced, his tone cold and official.
He sounded like he was delivering a verdict. "Under Article 37 of the Special Abilities Regulation Act, I am now placing you under official supervision. Take him away."
Two officers immediately stepped forward, one on each side, and hauled Chris up, his body limp and powerless.
"No, I didn't do it. That wasn't me!" Chris finally broke down, thrashing wildly. "It was her. Anna set me up. She made up all those voices."
His desperate shouts fell on deaf ears. Against such overwhelming evidence, any excuse he made was utterly meaningless.
My parents were in total shock. They stared blankly at Chris being dragged away, then at Hayden, who looked completely unfazed, as if they couldn't process what was happening.
"C-Captain Lawson, what's going on? What special abilities? What's this Thought Broadcast?" my dad stammered, his voice shaking with fear.
Hayden gave him a cold glance and replied, "Mr. Sullivan, there are things you're better off not knowing. You only need to know that the person you adopted is far from ordinary."
Then he turned to me, his cold expression softening a bit. "Ms. Sullivan, thank you for coming forward. You saved the country from a major disaster."
I shook my head, my voice hoarse. "I was just trying to save myself."
"I understand." Hayden nodded. "We'll need you to come with us and give a detailed statement. And since you've been under the influence of Thought Broadcast for so long, we'll arrange a full mental evaluation and some psychological support to help you recover."
I nodded without hesitation. "Okay."
Anywhere was better than staying in this house with these people who made me feel like I was suffocating.
"No!" my mom suddenly screamed, rushing toward me, but an officer blocked her path. "Anna can't go with you. She's my daughter."
"Ma'am, we're asking Ms. Sullivan to cooperate with our investigation, not arresting her," Hayden replied, his voice turning cold again.
"I don't care. She's a young girl. How could you take her away like this?" she cried hysterically, her eyes filled with terror.
I shot her a frosty glare.
So now she suddenly remembered that I was her daughter? In my previous life, when she sent me straight to the mental hospital, did she ever think of me as her child?
My dad finally regained his composure, trying to sound calm. "Captain Lawson, Anna is too young. She doesn't really know any better. How about you question her here at home? We'll cooperate with whatever you need."
He was scared. He was terrified that if word got out, it would damage our family's reputation. To him, the company's interests always mattered more than me.
Hayden saw right through them, a hint of mockery curling at his lips. "Question her here? Mr. Sullivan, do you really think this place is safe?"
His words landed like a sledgehammer, leaving my parents stunned and speechless.
A monster capable of silently manipulating people's minds had just been living right under their roof, laughing and chatting with them as if he were their own flesh and blood.
The mere thought of it sent chills down their spines.
"Ms. Sullivan, this way," Hayden said, gesturing for me to follow.
Without sparing my parents another glance, I stepped forward, following them out.
As I walked through the villa gates, sunlight washed over me, and for a moment, it felt like I was stepping into a whole new world.
I was free.
For now, I'd finally escaped the prison they called "home."