It was that fraction of a second of lapse in concentration!
Lin Chen's fingers, as if electrocuted, precisely touched the black clutch! He didn't intend to take it entirely; that would be too obvious. His target was a small, inconspicuous zippered pocket on the side of the bag, used to connect a data cable! He had observed before that his assistant sometimes took out something resembling a USB flash drive or a small hard drive from there!
His fingertips touched a cold, hard object!
"Swish!"
With the fastest speed and smallest movement he could muster, he pried the object out and clutched it tightly in his palm! The entire process was lightning fast, happening in the instant the assistant took the handkerchief and glanced down at his cuff!
"No need." The assistant seemed to sense something amiss, abruptly withdrawing his hand, giving Lin Chen a wary look, and clutching the clutch tightly to his chest.
Lin Chen forced himself to remain calm, took back the tissue, and smiled apologetically, "Sorry I couldn't help." Then, he immediately turned and blended into the crowd, not daring to linger for a moment.
The small, hard, cold object in his palm felt like a red-hot branding iron, making his entire arm tremble.
Did he succeed? Did he really get it?
He didn't dare to confirm, didn't even dare to look down. He could only quicken his pace, heading towards the banquet hall exit. He had to leave immediately, find a safe place to confirm the item, and then find a way to deliver it!
Behind him, he could almost feel his assistant's sharp, hawk-like gaze piercing through the crowd, fixed on his back.
A race against time, a race against death, had just begun.
Every step could lead to the abyss.
The cold, hard object in his palm felt like holding a grenade about to explode, making every step Lin Chen took feel like walking on a knife's edge. He dared not look back, dared not run, and could only force himself to maintain a seemingly normal, but actually stiff, pace towards the banquet hall exit. The surrounding noise, music, and laughter seemed blurred and unreal, as if separated by a thick layer of glass. All his senses were focused on his back, on the cold, icy reprimand that could erupt at any moment.
He could feel his assistant's suspicious gaze, like a tangible searchlight, sweeping over his back. Perhaps in the next second, a security guard would block his way.
Faster! Faster!
The light of the exit was just ahead, a symbol of survival. He used almost all his willpower to suppress the urge to run.
Just as his hand was about to touch the doorknob—
"Mr. Lin."
A voice rang out beside him, not loud, but like a thunderclap in his ear.
Lin Chen froze, his blood seemingly freezing. He slowly turned his head and saw Amy standing beside him, a professional but cold smile on her face.
"The banquet isn't over yet, and Mr. Lu probably has other plans. Are you leaving so early?" Amy's gaze casually swept over his tightly clenched right hand.
Lin Chen's heart nearly stopped. He forced a smile, his voice hoarse: "I…I'm not feeling well, I want to go back and rest."
"Not feeling well?" Amy raised an eyebrow. "Should I call a doctor? Or, should I take you home?"
"No! No need to trouble yourself!" Lin Chen hurriedly refused, the sweat on his palms almost causing his clenched fist to slip from his hand. "I'm just a little dizzy, I'll be fine after lying down."
Amy stared at him for a few seconds, her gaze seemingly piercing through his skin, reaching the deepest fears within him. Just as Lin Chen was about to collapse, she suddenly smiled: "Alright then, go back and get some rest. Don't forget what you promised Mr. Lu."