American comic book: I, with my abundant martial virtue, love to do good to others.

Chapter 219 Unquestionable Determination

The day trip was much more relaxing than Lynn had expected. The island was beautiful, the water was crystal clear, and the sunlight on the beach shimmered like gold. Kate seemed completely immersed in the holiday atmosphere, chatting with the local guide from time to time and taking many photos. Lynn, on the other hand, remained as low-key and calm as ever, walking beside her like a silent guardian.

Even in this environment, Lynn's mind remained unsettled. He occasionally thought of Lisa, her expression in the bar, and her plea. He knew that Kate would be devastated if she ever learned the truth. His current silence was merely a delay in the revelation of that truth.

"Lynn!" Kate's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Lynn snapped out of his daze and saw Kate standing by a rocky outcrop, waving at him. "Come on over, the view here is amazing!"

Lynn walked over and stood beside her, his gaze sweeping across the sea before them. Waves crashed against the rocks.

Countless tiny water droplets splashed up, and sunlight shone on the water's surface, reflecting a dazzling light.

"Very good," Lynn said softly.

Kate glanced at his profile, a slight smile playing on her lips. "You know what? I think you'd actually be perfect for a place like this. Quiet, peaceful, away from dangerous missions and complicated cases."

Lynn did not answer, but simply nodded slightly.

Kate sighed, her gaze returning to the sea. "I wish every day could be as simple as today. No complicated relationships, no unsolvable problems. Just sunshine, the sea, and... friends."

Her voice lowered, but her tone remained exceptionally sincere.

Lynn turned to her, paused for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "Simplicity is not easy to obtain."

Kate smiled gently. "Yes, but that's why we should cherish it even more, right?"

2

Lynn didn't answer, but looked into her eyes, eyes that held no hidden emotion.

There was only a frank and pure feeling. At that moment, he suddenly felt that his choice might have been the right one.

By keeping Lisa's affair a secret, Kate can at least enjoy a few more of these "simple moments." As for what happens next, he will try to find a better solution.

"Kate," Lynn said softly, her voice unusually gentle, "some things are better kept simple."

Kate turned to look at him, seemingly not quite understanding what he meant, but nodded nonetheless. "I think you're right, Lynn. Some things don't need to be complicated."

The two stood on the rocks, their gazes fixed on the sea. The warm sunlight bathed them, and a gentle sea breeze seemed to temporarily dispel all their complicated emotions.

The hotel remained immersed in the relaxed atmosphere of Hawaii that night, with soft lighting casting a warm, soothing glow in the corridors and lobby. Kate and Lynn entered the hotel lobby one after the other.

After a day trip to the island, Kate had a smile on her face and occasionally hummed a song of unknown tune; she was clearly in a good mood.

"I need to go back to my room and take a shower first, then I'll come down and chat with Lisa." Kate glanced at Lynn, her tone relaxed. "Today was really great, Lynn. Thank goodness you're not so tense anymore."

Lynn simply nodded, his face retaining its usual calm. He instinctively remained vigilant.

But he didn't say much. He knew Kate was in a good mood, and he didn't want to spoil this rare moment of relaxation.

Kate took the room key and went upstairs, while Lynn lingered in the lobby, ordering a coffee.

He sat quietly in the corner, his eyes occasionally glancing towards the elevator. He was still thinking about Lisa; those unresolved questions hung over his mind like shadows.

About twenty minutes later, faint conversations could be heard coming from Kate's room, but soon the voices became sharp, tinged with tension and unease. Lynn's intuition told him something was wrong. He quickly got up, walked to the elevator, pressed the floor button, and as the elevator doors closed, his hand was already discreetly on the holster at his waist.

When Lynn reached Kate's door, he heard the conversation inside.

"Lisa! What happened?" Kate's voice was urgent and angry. "How did you get these wounds on your arms and legs? Don't tell me it was just an accident!"

Lynn frowned slightly; he knew Kate had discovered something. The air in the room seemed to freeze because of the conversation. He stood outside the door, listening and watching quietly.

"Kate, stop asking!" Lisa's voice was clearly panicked. She tried to hide her emotions, but the more she did, the more helpless she sounded. "I'm fine. These are just minor accidents, nothing serious."

"An accident? You think I'd believe that nonsense?" Kate raised her voice, her tone carrying an undeniable determination. "Lisa, I'm your friend, and I know you're hiding something from me. If you don't tell me the truth, I won't let you get away with it!"

A silence fell over the room, followed by the sound of a chair being dragged out, as if Lisa had sat down. Her voice was low and weary—"Kate, I really don't want you involved. This is my business, I'll handle it myself."

Kate's voice remained resolute, but trembled slightly. "Your situation? Lisa, you're covered in injuries, you're as pale as a ghost, and you're telling me you can handle this? Don't lie to me! You're destroying yourself!"

Hearing this, Lynn felt it necessary to intervene. He pushed open the door, and Kate turned around abruptly. When she saw Lynn, she paused for a moment, but quickly turned her gaze back to Lisa. "Lynn, you've come at the right time. Ask her for me what's going on."

Lisa looked up at Lynn, a complex expression flashing across her face—a mixture of shame and panic. She bit her lip, her voice tinged with resistance, "Lynn—you know, right?"

Please don't let Kate know.

Kate's Sunny State of Abundance is newly written, W

Even more tense, she asked, "Lynn! What do you know? She just said you know?"

Lynn stood in the doorway, paused for a moment, then stepped into the room, his gaze calmly landing on Lisa. His tone was low and firm, devoid of any extra emotion, "Lisa, if you continue to hide it, it will only make things worse. Tell Kate now, or you will lose her trust."

Lisa's eyes instantly reddened. She lowered her head, clutching the hem of her dress tightly, seemingly struggling to control her emotions. But finally, she let out a long sigh, her voice barely audible, "Kate, I—I owe some people money, a lot of money. Those aren't ordinary debt collectors, they—they're dangerous."

Kate's eyes widened, her anger instantly replaced by shock. "Debt? Why are you in debt? Lisa, you've never mentioned this to me before!"

“Because I don’t want you to worry!” Lisa looked up, her voice trembling slightly. “I knew you would feel this way, Kate, but I didn’t want you to get involved. Those people are thugs, they’re gangsters. If I can’t pay back the money, they’ll come after me. They’ve come after me many times already—these injuries are their ‘reminder.’”

Kate's face turned deathly pale. She walked step by step to Lisa, trying to grab her hand.

But Lisa instinctively shrank back, seemingly unable to face her own light. "Why didn't you tell me?" Kate whispered, her voice tinged with suppressed pain. "Lisa, you're my best friend. Do you think I would just stand by and do nothing about something like this?"

"It's precisely because you're my best friend that I don't want you to know!" Lisa's tears finally fell, her voice choked with emotion. "Kate, your life is so good. You're a journalist, with your own goals and dreams. And me—my life is a mess. I don't want to hold you back."

Kate's eyes reddened as well. She reached out and hugged Lisa, her voice as firm as a rock, "Lisa, no matter what you think, I won't let you face this alone. We'll handle it. Whoever those people are, they can't treat you like this."

Lisa trembled slightly in Kate's arms, but said nothing.

Lynn stood to the side, his gaze still calm, but a complex emotion flickered in his eyes. He knew Kate's personality; she wouldn't abandon this situation, but this matter was far more dangerous than she imagined. If Lisa's debts were truly connected to the mob, then things would be anything but simple.

"Kate," Lynn's voice broke the silence in the room. He walked up to the two women, his gaze sweeping between Kate and Lisa. "This isn't something you two can handle. If you try to contact those people directly, it'll only make things worse."

Kate looked up at him, a pleading look in her eyes. "What do we do, Lynn? We can't just do nothing, can we?"

Lynn pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I'll handle this. But Kate, you have to listen to me. I need all the details—how much money Lisa owes, who she owes it to, and the other party's background."

Lisa lowered her head, hesitated for a moment, and finally whispered, "They're a local underground organization called the 'Kavanagh Group.' I owe them $25,000 because—" She gritted her teeth, "...because of a failed investment. I thought I could turn things around, but instead I got deeper and deeper into debt."

Lynn's gaze darkened; he knew this was far more complex than it appeared. But at this moment, he had only one goal—to protect Kate and Lisa from being consumed by these dangers.

"I'll find out the truth." Lynn's tone was as calm as a rock. "But from now on, Kate, you must follow my instructions. You can't act rashly, understand?"

Kate looked at him and nodded, but her gaze remained firm. "I will listen to you, Lynn."

But no matter what, I won't let Lisa face all this alone.

Lynn didn't say anything more; he simply nodded and then turned and left the room.

As night deepened, the streets of Hawaii were still filled with the rich aroma of alcohol and the sounds of laughter. The brightly lit bar street, its colorful neon signs like dancing musical notes, dappled the damp ground. Behind each door, a different story unfolded; some raised their glasses in celebration, while others drowned their sorrows alone. Kate and Lynn walked side-by-side down the street, their presence a stark contrast to the surrounding festivities.

Kate's expression was stern, her eyes filled with an unwavering resolve. Lynn, on the other hand, maintained his usual composure, but his steps were slightly heavy. He knew that tonight's operation would not be easy.

"Lynn, why didn't you tell me sooner?" Kate's voice suddenly broke the silence. She didn't stop walking, her eyes fixed ahead, but there was a hint of resentment in her tone.

Lynn glanced at her sideways, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable rationality, "Because she doesn't want you to know. Lisa asked me; she doesn't want you involved."

“But I’m her best friend!” Kate’s voice rose slightly, she paused, and turned to look at Lynn, her tone tinged with pain. “She thought she could handle all this on her own, but she simply can’t. If you hadn’t told me, how much longer would she have kept it from me?”

"That's why I told you." Lynn's gaze, sharp as a hawk's, fell on Kate's face. His tone was low but persuasive. "But Kate, you must understand that your involvement could make things more complicated. You're too emotional. You need to stay calm in these situations."

Kate's lips pressed into a straight line, clearly suppressing her emotions. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and then said in a slightly softer tone, "Okay, maybe you're right. But anyway, I can't just stand by and watch her suffer. She's my friend, and it's my responsibility to help her."

Lynn didn't say anything more, just nodded. He knew Kate's personality; he wouldn't try to persuade her to give up. And he also understood that the danger lurking behind this matter might be far beyond Kate's imagination.

They quickly arrived at the Self-Bound Bar. It was an unassuming place, even somewhat dilapidated on the outside, but the neon lights at the entrance were still bright, and the sounds of music and noise from inside could be faintly heard. Kate stood at the entrance, took a deep breath, and then turned to look at Lynn.

"Let's go in," she said softly, her tone carrying an undeniable firmness.

Lynn nodded and pushed open the bar door.

The bar was smoky and dimly lit, filled with the smell of cheap alcohol and the cacophony of laughter. Lynn's self-illumination quickly swept around, memorizing every exit and suspicious figure. His intuition told him that this place was not as simple as it seemed.

Kate immediately spotted the owner standing behind the bar. He was a middle-aged man in a wrinkled shirt, with a shrewd but impatient expression on his face. He was wiping a glass, glancing at customers every now and then, seemingly wary of everyone.

Kate walked straight to the bar, her tone icy, "We need to talk to you."