Hide and Seek: The Mad Girl Sees All novel Chapter 132

Chapter 132

Chapter 132

The helicopter landed on the Command Center’s helipad. Before the rotors had even fully stopped, Lyra saw a crowd waiting below.

Lana stood at the front, with Ms. Reed, Garrett, and the rest of the familiar faces from the meetings right behind her.

As soon as the door opened and Lyra stepped out, a small figure darted out from the crowd.

Lil Lily shouted, “Goddess Lyra.” Her voice was full of excitement.

Lil Lily dashed over, her legs practically bouncing like springs, and screeched to a halt right in front of Lyra, almost crashing into her in her eagerness.

Lyra raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Why aren’t you at school today?”

Lil Lily looked up at her, grinning from ear to ear, her dimples even deeper. “The Nation helped me get a day off?”

Lyra reached out and ruffled her hair. “Alright.”

Lil Lily didn’t even try to dodge, just giggled and stuck close to Lyra, her hair a mess, but she didn’t mind one bit.

Ms. Reed stood in the back, hands behind her back, watching Lyra and Lil Lily mess around for a bit, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Lana was watching too, her eyes sweeping over Lyra’s face. Seeing that Lyra looked healthy and full of energy, Lana finally let out the breath she’d been holding.

Lyra looked up, strode over to Lana with her arms wide open, and flashed a huge grin.

“Lana! I missed you like crazy.” Lyra called out.

Lana was caught off guard by Lyra’s sudden hug, her body stiffening for a moment before she raised her hand and gave Lyra a gentle pat on the back.

After letting go, Lana stepped back and gave Lyra a quick once-over, copying the teasing tone Lyra had just used with Lil Lily. “If you missed me so much, why’d you take so long to come back to the Command Center?”

Lyra ducked her head and gave a sheepish laugh, not taking the bait.

She slipped to the side, swept her hand forward in an exaggerated “after you” gesture. “Lana, let’s head to the meeting. Comrade Vance reporting in, just for you!”

Lana tried to hold back a smile, but couldn’t help it.

Garrett walked up from behind, grinning. “Lyra, Chief Advisor’s had the kitchen experimenting with all kinds of new recipes lately.”

He jerked his chin toward the cafeteria. “They heard you were coming back today, so they’re ready to show off their cooking. Are you sure you want to head straight to the meeting? Why not eat first?”

Lyra stopped in her tracks, her eyes lighting up for a moment before she quickly tamped it down. She cleared her throat. “Uncle Garrett, I’m not someone who gets lured in by good food!”

Garrett burst out laughing.

Ms. Reed chuckled too.

Chapter 132

Lil Lily was nearby, covering her mouth and giggling.

Zoe stood a few steps away, watching the whole thing, smiling to herself.

Lana tilted her head, a smile in her voice. “Alright, alright, but the chefs have already whipped up a feast.”

She glanced at her watch. “If we don’t eat now, it’ll probably get cold.”

“So, Lyra, you’ll just have to treat yourself to a meal first,” Lana teased.

Lyra’s lips curled up, and she tried to fight back her grin, but goodness, there was just no way she could hide it.

“Alright then-” Lyra said, her voice rising with excitement, practically bubbling over with joy.

Lil Lily grabbed Lyra’s sleeve and started pulling her toward the cafeteria. “Goddess Lyra, hurry up! I caught a whiff at lunch and I’ve been dying to eat ever since!”

Lyra let herself be dragged for a couple steps, then turned back and called out to Lana, “Lana, you guys better hurry up!”

Lana shook her head and walked after them.

Inside the cafeteria, six tables had been pushed together to make one big feast, and every inch was covered with dishes.

Barbecue ribs, baked fish, spicy grilled chicken, garlic shrimp, roast duck, creamy soup. Steam rose from every dish.

Lyra stood at the edge of the table, her gaze sweeping across the feast. She took a deep breath and exclaimed, “Wow, it smells so good!”

“Come on, have a seat,” Garrett said, pulling out a chair for her.

Lyra plopped down to Lana’s right, and Lil Lily quickly grabbed the spot to Lyra’s right.

“Goddess Lyra, check out those ribs.” Lil Lily exclaimed.

“Yep. I see them.” Lyra replied.

“And the shrimp.” Lil Lily added.

“Already spotted,” Lyra said with a grin.

Lil Lily started, “And…”

I see everything,” Lyra cut in, laughing.

“Wow, Goddess Lyra, this is such a feast!” Lil Lily exclaimed.

Garrett sat across from them, while Ms. Reed and Zoe took the seats to Lana’s left. The rest of the group found then places around the table.

The kitchen door swung open, and a chef in a white uniform came out carrying the last pot of soup. He set it down right in the middle of the table.

The chef wiped his hands and grinned. “Chief Advisor, Major General Vance, please taste and judge what our whole kitchen team has been working on lately!”

Lana glanced at Lyra. “Go ahead, try it.”

Lyra picked up a rib and popped it into her mouth. After a couple of chews, her eyes went wide. “This is crazy good.”

14:15 Tue, Jul 7 MA

Chapter 132

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The chef was grinning from ear to ear, then turned and headed back to the kitchen.

Lana waited until Lyra had finished her bite, then picked up her own glass.

The chatter at the table died down, and everyone turned to look at her. Lyra quickly put down her fork and reached for her own glass.

Lana stayed seated, raising her glass to chest level. This is the first time we’ve all gathered for a meal with so many of us here.”

Her gaze swept over everyone at the table. “No need for extra words.”

She held her glass out a little further. “May this day return every year, and may we always have moments/like this.”

“Cheers, Lana said.

Everyone raised their glasses, and the crisp sound of glasses clinking filled the room.

Everyone was savoring every bite, really taking their time. With so many dishes on the table, it was a rare treat, and honesty. it made everyone a little nostalgic.

Garrett grinned at Lana. “Chief Advisor, it’s not often we get to relax like this.”

“Yeah,” Lana said, her tone a bit wistful as she glanced over at Lyra.

Lyra and Lil Lily were locked in a fierce battle over the last piece of sweet and sour fish, their forks both stabbing at the same chunk, neither willing to back down.

“Goddess Lyra! I spotted it first.” Lil Lily protested.

“Spotting it doesn’t count, you gotta snatch it first!” Lyra shot back.

“You’re picking on a little kid.” Lil Lily complained.

“You got the whole country to excuse you from school. Does that even make you a kid anymore?” Lyra teased.

Lil Lily froze, let go, and the fish dropped right into Lyra’s bowl.

Lyra popped the fish in her mouth with a triumphant grin, then grabbed another piece and plopped it into Lil Lily’s bowl.

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