Chapter 1138 Negotiation, Threat
The ward was swallowed by an eerie silence.
After a while, Charles spoke slowly, "On the way here, I was already thinking about this problem. Hannah's been in a coma, stuck in a loop of nightmares every night. From her sleep-talking, it's clear she's reliving major events from her past.
Pulling her out of these dreams is definitely tricky, but it's not impossible."
Carter's eyes lit up. "You got a plan?"
Charles replied seriously, "I'm not sure if it'll work."
Carter grabbed his arm. "Tell me. We won't know unless we try."
Charles said, "Maybe we can try Tina."
Carter frowned. "Tina? You think she can do it?"
Charles shook his head. "I don't know. But she's good at messing with the mind. Since Hannah can't escape her dreams, maybe Tina can force her out."
Lassie quickly nodded in agreement. "Yeah, yeah! I've seen Tina's skills firsthand. She woke you up with just a snap of her fingers! Maybe she really can help."
Carter nodded. "We don't have a better option right now. Let's give it a shot."
Charles stood up, straightening his wrinkled pants. "I'll go get her now. We can't let Hannah stay trapped in her dreams any longer. It could harm her mentally and physically."
Carter stood up as well. "I'll go with you. Two heads are better than one."
Charles looked worriedly at Hannah. "But what about Hannah..."
Lassie, understanding his concern, quickly said, "I can handle things here. I've already calmed her down. You two go ahead, I've got this."
With her assurance, Charles nodded. "Alright. We will be back as soon as possible. Call me if anything happens."
"Got it."
After leaving the hospital, Charles drove Carter to the detention center where Tina was held.
It was late at night, and only one officer was on duty.
The officer, who was dozing off at his desk, snapped to attention when he saw Charles. He stood up straight and greeted them loudly, "Mr. Watson, Mr. Moore, what brings you here so late?"
Charles said, "Take me to see Tina."
"Yes!" The officer led Charles and Carter to Tina's cell.
Tina, who had been sleeping, woke up at the sound of footsteps. She quickly sat up, looking warily at the door.
When she saw Charles and Carter, her heart skipped a beat. "Is Hannah awake?"
If Hannah were awake, she could lift the hypnosis on her, and Austin's life would be spared.
Charles didn't immediately ask the officer to open the door. He looked at Tina through the bars, his face expressionless. "I'm here to ask you something."
The detention center was small, so Tina remained seated on her bed, looking at Charles. "What is it?"
Charles asked, "Do you have a way to pull someone out of a dream?"
Tina frowned. "Pull someone out of a dream?"
Charles nodded. "Yeah. Can you do it?"
Tina was taken aback, then let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Mr. Watson, you give me too much credit. I'm a psychologist, not a magician. I'm not all-powerful."
Hearing her response, Charles's eyes dimmed.
Tina, puzzled, asked, "Who are you trying to pull out of a dream?"
Charles's face darkened, and he turned to leave.
Tina's voice echoed behind him. "I may not be able to pull her out, but I might have another way."
Charles stopped in his tracks and returned to the bars, asking in a serious tone, "You have another way?"
Tina said, "How can I think of another way if you don't tell me the specifics?"
After a pause, she added, "Is it Hannah?"
If it were anyone else, she wouldn't bother.
Charles was silent for a moment, then briefly explained Hannah's situation. "She's having nightmares every night, reliving past traumas. She seems trapped. We can't wake her up. So we thought you might have a way to bring her back to reality."
After hearing Charles's explanation, Tina didn't speak immediately. She rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. "This situation isn't entirely hopeless. While I can't pull her out of her dream, I can help you go in and bring her out."
Charles's eyes lit up again. "You really have a way?"
Tina didn't answer right away. She slowly stood up and approached the bars, negotiating calmly with Charles. "Yes, I have a way. But if you want my help, you have to agree to one condition."
Charles raised an eyebrow. "You want us to release Austin?"
Tina gave him an appreciative look. "Yes. You previously agreed to spare Austin's life if I lifted the hypnosis. Now, I want him not only alive but also free."
Charles refused without hesitation. "No way. If I release him, he'll continue to harm Hannah. I can't let a ticking time bomb loose."
Tina, rarely showing urgency, said, "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on him. He won't harm you again. If you're still worried, I can take him abroad. You can ban him from entering the country. With the Langley family's influence, it should be doable."
Charles still wouldn't agree. "Austin is cunning and has done too many heinous things. Who knows what he'll do next? Even a one-in-a-million chance is too risky."
Seeing his firm expression, Tina's heart sank.
Realizing negotiation wouldn't work, she resorted to threats. "You can choose not to agree, and I can choose not to help. To be honest, only I can help Hannah now. If you want her to wake up soon, you have to cooperate with me."
Charles's face turned icy. "Are you threatening me?"
Tina admitted openly, "You forced me. You care about Hannah, and I care about Austin. You do it for your loved one, and I do it for mine. Agree, and we have a deal. Refuse, and we don't. The choice is yours."
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