Lorne stared at the reporters who suddenly surged around him like a tide, his mind going blank for a moment.
What the hell? Why does it feel like I became famous overnight?
Click!
Click!
A barrage of shutter clicks came from all around him, making him frown slightly.
Did the authorities leak what happened at Capim Villa? Why? Shouldn't a scandal involving high-ranking figures be played down until it disappears altogether?
Or were there so many abducted girls that they simply couldn't cover it up? Or is there some other conspiracy behind this that I don't know about?
Whatever the reason, there's no need to shove a "small fry" like me into the spotlight!
"Ahem." Lorne cleared his throat and forced a smile as he faced the countless cameras thrust toward him.
"Everyone, please make way. You're interfering with our factory's operations."
Click! Click!
An even more enthusiastic flurry of shutter clicks answered him. His words had done nothing to help; instead, they only excited the reporters further.
"Mr. Scott! Is it true that you're the hero who infiltrated Capim Villa and rescued several abducted girls?"
"Mr. Scott, could you tell us more about what happened? Were you afraid?"
"Mr. Scott, we heard that the police initially mistook you for a suspect. What are your thoughts on that?"
"Mr. Scott-"
Lorne fought down the urge to unleash a Mental Storm on these noisy reporters and silence them all. With Old Kohler's help, he finally managed to squeeze through the crowd and into the factory.
"Mr. Scott!"
"Please say a few words!"
Sensing the reporters' undiminished enthusiasm outside the gates, Lorne swallowed. He had always preferred to keep a low profile, and being the center of attention made him uncomfortable.
"Mr. Scott, have the police released you?" Old Kohler closed the