Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for just $7 to get early access to all upcoming chapters!
› Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations
───────────────────────────
Chapter 55: Prizes and Information
"Right now, GCPD boats are escorting the cruise ship. No one can board or leave freely during the voyage. Do you understand your situation, Phantom Thief Kid?"
Director James faced the crowd, warning them with an arrogant air.
"No matter what your disguise is, I advise you to obediently play your role for these ten days and give up the delusion of stealing the Star of Hope! Otherwise, what awaits you is an eternal prison cell!"
As his voice fell, whispers immediately broke out across the restaurant.
"I was wondering why I didn't see a single cop on the ship. I thought they were in plainclothes, but they're all outside."
"For Phantom Thief Kid, this ship is basically a floating prison for ten days. Since we're so far from the coast, he can't fly back to land with just a hang glider, and taking the sea route would mean falling right into the police encirclement."
"It's literally no way up to heaven and no door down to earth. Honestly, the GCPD's setup is smart. Deliberately leaving the ship unguarded to make Kid relax, then escorting it once it sails to give him zero chance of escape. I feel like Kid might actually be screwed this time."
"Not necessarily. The inspection at boarding was strict. Maybe Kid took one look at security and bailed. He might not even be on the ship, and their capture plan is just fighting air."
"I don't think so. Phantom Thief Kid always does the unexpected. I believe a mere security check can't stop him."
"The GCPD's formation clearly shows they won't rest until they catch him. Do you think Kid will actually listen to Director James and give up? I auditioned as an extra just to see Kid, not for the movie..."
One person whispering is just a whisper, but a crowd whispering creates a buzz. The entire restaurant became incredibly noisy. James stood in the center like he was surrounded by a swarm of mosquitoes, buzzing sounds everywhere.
"Ahem!"
James coughed loudly, trying to interrupt the discussion. Unfortunately, his voice was too low, and no one paid attention.
At that moment, the stuntman who played Batman handed James a microphone.
SCREECH—
A piercing feedback noise rang through the hall, instantly grabbing everyone's attention. Silence was restored.
"Ahem. To welcome everyone joining our crew today, I have decided to hold a lucky draw."
James clapped his hands, and staff members immediately brought in several boxes, placing them on the table in front of him.
"These boxes are filled with custom commemorative fountain pens. Each of you can come up and take one. If you find a note inside the pen cap, it means you've won."
After explaining the rules, James introduced the prizes.
"There are three tiers of prizes, totaling sixteen winners."
"First, the Third Prize. There are ten winners, and each will receive a pair of the latest Apple wireless earphones released this year."
"Next, the Second Prize. Five people will each receive an imported Asian Refrigerator."
"Finally, the First Prize—the one-in-a-thousand lucky winner will receive a Swiss Tourbillon watch worth over fifty thousand dollars!"
Hearing the prizes, the crowd boiled over with excitement, scrambling to grab a pen. Although the number of prizes was small compared to the total headcount, each item was attractive enough.
However, not everyone was interested in the draw. For instance, Tim and Darren in the corner.
While most people went to line up for pens, they remained seated with no sign of moving. Similarly, other special guests like them didn't join the crush. This naturally included the missing Jack.
From the moment people left their seats, Tim's eyes constantly scanned the empty tables. But in the end, he didn't see Jack. He didn't know if his father had joined the excitement on a whim or had already eaten and left. Or perhaps Jack hadn't come to the restaurant at all?
Tim frowned. He decided to check their assigned cabins later. If he still couldn't find him, he'd have to borrow the ship's surveillance room. Although surveillance coverage on luxury liners was often limited for privacy reasons—usually only covering major public areas and corridors—it should be enough to find one person.
Thinking this, Tim turned back to Darren, only to find him deep in thought.
Fountain Pen, Apple Wireless Earphones, Refrigerator, and Tourbillon Watch. Could those prizes be... No, maybe it's just a coincidence. Hopefully, it's just a coincidence...
"Darren?" Tim called out, puzzled.
"Hm?" Darren snapped back.
"What were you thinking about?"
"I was thinking, why isn't the First Prize a convertible sports car? Giving away a fifty-thousand-dollar watch feels a bit stingy..." Darren answered with a serious face.
"How could it be a car! Even if James is a famous director, he wouldn't give away a sports car at this kind of event. This is just a pre-filming gathering, not an Oscar after-party," Tim couldn't help but retort. "And why did your mind go to a convertible?"
"I just feel the grand prize should be a sports car."
Tim was speechless.
I managed to bluff my way through that, Darren thought. Of course, he hadn't been thinking about a sports car. He was thinking about the prizes James listed.
He couldn't articulate a specific reason, but he sensed a hidden message within those four items. Deciphering the message itself wasn't hard; with enough imagination, four items could yield countless logical interpretations.
The problem was, why would James convey information this way? And who was he signaling? Was Darren overthinking it? Maybe there was no hidden message at all?
Darren had been pondering this.
"Anyway, aren't you going to try the draw?" Tim changed the subject.
"No. I won't win anyway, so why bother? Just to mooch a fountain pen?" Darren shook his head repeatedly.
"By the way, you still haven't found your dad?"
Receiving a negative answer, Darren rubbed his chin. "Calling doesn't work, and he's not in the restaurant. That is a bit concerning... How about this: we split up to look for him. He might have gone back to his room early. You go check."
Although Darren, Tim, and Jack had arrived together, their assigned rooms weren't adjacent. Two were in Sections C and D on Deck 7, while the third was in Section F on Deck 9.
───────────────────────────
Support this fanfic by leaving reviews, comments, and Power Stones!
For advance chapters, visit:
› Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations