Chapter 404 - 286: Cousin
When May Joyce saw Claire Chapman and Paige Summers walking over together from a distance, her mood instantly soured.
For one thing, she’d been spending a good deal of time with Claire Chapman, but had made no progress. Whether she acted fiery or gentle, he remained the same—not exactly distant, but certainly not close. They were friends, at best. They hadn’t even reached the "more than friends" stage.
She was both anxious and aggrieved.
For another thing, as she saw it, Paige Summers was a thorn between her and Claire Chapman!
Initially, she’d had no ill will toward Paige Summers, but that was predicated on the belief that Paige had another man and was simply Claire Chapman’s subordinate.
However, one incident had changed her mind.
While the base was under construction, she had stayed here for a few days. One day, she casually remarked that the factory building up ahead took up too much space and was completely unnecessary. It wasn’t that she was trying to meddle; she was just being enthusiastic. Since she’d fallen for him, she felt his business was her business. But what did Claire Chapman do? He said nothing, but his expression immediately turned less gentle. Though she could be careless and blunt at times, she was highly sensitive to the moods of the man she adored. Sure enough, she later heard that Paige Summers was the one who had wanted that plot of land...
She hadn’t paid it much mind before, but after that day, she realized that when it came to anything concerning Paige Summers, Claire Chapman wouldn’t let anyone say a single bad word about her.
’This is obviously not normal!’
’What does Paige Summers amount to?’
’She’s just a vice-captain!’
In May Joyce’s opinion, while Paige Summers’s power was astonishing, she never managed anything and had no talent for command. It was just brute strength! There were plenty of people like that in Southreach, so what made her worthy of such high regard? And yet, Claire Chapman treated her like a priceless treasure!
She didn’t believe it was Claire Chapman’s fault, so the blame must lie with Paige Summers!
Regarding Paige Summers’s departure from the base, she thought it would be best if she never came back!
Lately, she had taken advantage of Paige Summers’s absence to put on a gentle and magnanimous act, doing everything she could to win favor at Bloodfall Base.
But before she could see any results, this little girl suddenly appeared!
’You couldn’t say she isn’t related to Paige Summers, not when they look so similar...’
’But Claire Chapman, why are you acting so respectful and protective toward a mere little girl?!’
May Joyce’s expression darkened on the spot.
But then she remembered her second sister’s advice to keep a low profile, that men don’t like women who are too aggressive, and things of that nature. Fearing she would provoke Claire Chapman’s disgust, she had no choice but to suppress her unhappiness.
"May, you’re here." Claire Chapman came forward and greeted her gently, then made the introductions. "This is Paige Summers’s cousin, Susie. And this is Miss Joyce."
"Hello, Miss Joyce." Paige Summers nodded at her.
May Joyce returned the greeting with a dry laugh, then asked, "So, Susie... your cousin didn’t come?" As she spoke, her eyes betrayed an unconcealable nervousness.
Paige Summers gave her a strange look. ’What’s that supposed to mean?’
’This is Bloodfall, and I’m the vice-captain. Why is her tone making it sound like I’m a guest? It should be perfectly normal for me to return... And why is this woman so scared?’
Out loud, however, she just said, "She’s busy. She couldn’t make it."
May Joyce breathed an inward sigh of relief, but looking at the face before her—so much like Paige Summers’s—still made her uncomfortable.
She ignored Paige Summers and looked up at him. "Lucian, I have something to tell you!"
Her tone annoyed Claire Chapman, but he didn’t say anything. He just looked at Paige Summers, his eyes asking if she would be alright on her own.
Paige Summers rolled her eyes. ’What could possibly happen inside the base!’
She turned her head to look at The Guard escorting May Joyce. ’Tsk, tsk. There are a few familiar faces staring at me pretty eagerly! What are those boys thinking?’
Claire Chapman smiled. He was worrying too much.
’Even without her superpower, Paige Summers is no weakling!’
He couldn’t be blamed for being overprotective, though. Her current appearance was just too deceptive; the moment he saw that innocent little face, he instinctively felt she needed to be protected.
Certain that she would be fine, Claire Chapman finally turned away. "Alright, let’s go talk over there."
May Joyce took in their interaction, and her expression twisted for a fleeting moment when no one was looking. But just as quickly, before Claire Chapman glanced her way, it returned to normal.
As the two of them walked away side by side, Paige Summers sat down on the stone ledge of a flower planter with a smile.
She realized Claire Chapman was being quite guarded with May Joyce. He didn’t even take his guest to an office, opting to speak with her right here in the small plaza.
However, as she watched the squad of guards nearby, she thought, ’Their arrival is quite timely. I was just hoping to ask around about a few things.’
She waved at them.
’Those two with the brightest eyes... they must be Norman Ross and Evan Carter...’
’Come to think of it, I’ve talked to them before.’
Norman Ross and Evan Carter exchanged glances. After helping Bloodfall attack The Foundry, both had performed so well that they were officially brought into The Power Corps.
Usually, when it came to missions, the two were always exceptionally eager to take any that were related to Bloodfall Base.
They had, for example, volunteered for this mission to escort May Joyce over. One was the team’s captain, and the other was the vice-captain.
They had been disappointed at not seeing Paige Summers again, but who would have thought they would run into her cousin!
The young girl looked so much like her cousin!
Their eyes met. ’Well, if we can’t see the real person, talking to her cousin isn’t a bad alternative,’ they thought. ’We might even be able to get some inside information. At the very least, we can ask when Paige Summers is coming back!’
With that thought, Norman Ross no longer hesitated. He dismissed the squad and walked toward Paige Summers with Evan Carter.
Most of the members of this small squad were quite young, and they had a natural fondness for a cute little girl. Seeing their captains go over, they couldn’t help but drift over as well.
It wasn’t as if they had anything to do after being dismissed anyway.
Bloodfall Base was still under construction, and many areas were off-limits.
Once Paige Summers started talking with them, she quickly discovered that Norman Ross and Evan Carter’s questions all revolved around the real her. When was she coming back? Had she made any new weapons recently? How old was Susie? Did Susie have a boyfriend? The questions became increasingly personal...
The corner of her mouth twitched uncontrollably.
She had to spend some time humoring them before she could discreetly steer the conversation toward Southreach.
She didn’t ask about classified matters, focusing mostly on questions about how people were organized within the Southreach base.
Mason Hayes and the others knew a little about these things as well.
But people like Norman Ross had a different perspective than ordinary Superpower Users, so what they noticed was naturally different. In other words, comments they considered insignificant could give Paige Summers an entirely new insight.
After talking with them, Paige Summers already had a rough plan in mind for recruiting technical personnel.
Of course, Norman Ross and Evan Carter also managed to learn a tiny little bit more about Paige Summers from her. For instance, that she wouldn’t be coming back for a while, but that she still remembered them, had specifically mentioned them by name to her cousin, and had even said they were Superpower Users with great potential!
The two of them acted modest, but inwardly they were incredibly smug and resolved to show off to their buddies as soon as they got back!
Paige Summers herself didn’t even know that among the Power Corps reservists they had fought with, quite a few now considered her their idol!