Still, Lily wondered if Daisy was genuinely innocent. If she were not, what was her intention of working here? If so, why was she picking on locks?Lily looked back and saw her son lying in bed, sound asleep, with his head tilted to one side. It was as if all the troubles in this world had nothing to do with him. Then she got up, tucked him in, and adjusted the surveillance camera’s position.Initially, there were no surveillance cameras in the bedrooms, but Lily became suspicious of Daisy and installed one in Galen's bedroom.Lily wanted to keep Daisy by her side to observe what was happening before deciding her next move. However, since everything at the laboratory, the incident in Burnwken, and other unforeseen dangers started coming together, Lily would be worried about Galen if she went to Burnwken.'What if I just find a reason to fire Daisy?'When this thought flashed in Lily’s mind, she heard a light knock on the door, and Daisy's voice sounded from the outside. "Madam?"
While holding Olivia’s hand, Lily pulled Olivia aside and poured her a glass of ice water to calm her down.Olivia did not want it, but under Lily's insistence, she held the cup. The coldness in her palm seemed to have calmed her, but her tears still would not stop flowing."Lily, can you tell me what happened to Edward? Whatever it is, I can handle it. As long as I know what is going on and that he’s still alive… Lily, you have to tell me. You have to tell me, okay?" Olivia was very emotional and burst into tears again.Seeing her like this, Lily did not know what she could say to comfort her. Ultimately, Lily sighed softly. "To be honest with you, I have no idea.""How can that be? Edward is with Mr. Russell the whole time. Did Mr. Russell tell you—""No!" Lily interrupted her before quietly continuing, "Olivia, Alex hasn't contacted me for 12 days.""Twelve days?!" Olivia was stunned for a moment that she almost forgot to cry. Her eyes widened in shock. "But you said…""Yes,
"Calm down!" Lily comforted Olvia. Even Lily was trying to keep her emotions in check. Her heart was racing, and even the baby in her stomach seemed to feel it. She gently placed her hand on her abdomen to comfort it. She took a deep breath and said, "Let me look."Lily carefully studied the ring in Olivia's hand and the piece of human skin wrapped in a handkerchief.After careful observation, she leaned closer to smell it. Then she raised her head to look at Olivia. "You've been played.""Huh?""That doesn't belong to Edward," Lily said with certainty before adding, "To be precise, that's not even human skin. It's pig skin.""Pig skin?!" Olivia's eyes widened in surprise. She took the piece of skin and rechecked it. Although she would rather believe that what Lily said was true, she could not help but still wonder, "Is this pig skin? It looks too real, and the tattoo looks exactly like the one on Edward's body.""People can imitate tattoos and easily make realistic-looking skin.
"Don't panic," Lily coaxed softly as she pressed her hand on Olivia's back. "Seeing that this piece of skin is fake means that the person who gave it to you did not really hurt Edward. He might not even be in the person's hands right now.“The sender may have picked this ring up somewhere. You know how good Edward's skills are. Even if he couldn't overthrow his opponent, he’d still be able to fend for himself. If Edward is captured, the captor won't have to send this fake piece of skin to try and intimidate you." Lily grabbed the pigskin and shook it. It did feel quite realistic. She might have believed it herself if she did not know much about these things."Yeah." Olivia thought it made sense. "You're right. Edward must be fine. He’ll be okay! Still, Lily, promise to bring me with you if you go to Burnwken.""What are you going to do there?" Lily immediately questioned her."To look for Edward, of course! I want to see him!" Olivia replied decisively."What if you can't find h
After comforting Olivia for a while longer, Lily finally sent someone to send her home. When she turned around, Daisy was already standing in the living room.Lily had no idea how long Daisy had stood there. She would have been shocked if it weren't for Lily's sharp gaze.Daisy looked like she had something to say. Lily glanced deeply at her before walking straight to the sofa and sitting down. "What is it? Do you have something to say?"However, Daisy turned to face Lily and said, "Madam, don't you have something to say to me?"Lily froze for a moment before returning the glass she held toward her lips. After taking a sip of the tea, she replied, "Oh? I have something to say to you?""Is that not the case?" Daisy's voice was low, with her eyes drooping slightly and her hands clasped in front of her. This gave off the look of an honest, capable, and respectful person."You're smart. You're a very smart woman." Lily put down the glass and leaned against a lumbar pillow. "I have no
Lily did not expect this. She stood there, stunned, but did not stop Daisy. Lily quietly watched as Daisy kneeled on the ground."I am so sorry, Madam. It wasn't my intention to teach Galen how to pick locks, but he is really smart. He's the smartest child I've ever seen. Madam, I will resign and leave if you think I'm not fit to care for Galen anymore." Saying this, her gaze dropped to the ground. She looked like she was asking for forgiveness."I don't blame you for that," Lily answered gently. After a pause, she continued, "It's just that... are you saying these things because you think that's what I want to hear?""What do you want to hear, Madam?" Daisy looked up at her in surprise, as if she did not understand what Lily meant.Lily didn't reply and just stared at her. Daisy's eyes seemed to be filled with sincerity and confusion. She did not avert her gaze either.The two continued to look at each other for a moment before Lily finally sighed. "Forget it. I won't ask if you
Although Austin could not see the person's face, he knew who it was by the crisp sound of her high heels. When he looked up, he could only see a vague outline slowly approaching him with a chilly demeanor.Rhea wore stilettos, and her sharp heels clacked against the cold, stone floor. Once in front of Austin, she slowly squatted with a bottle of water and a piece of bread. Without a word, Rhea began to study him from head to toe.When she noticed the cloth tied around his injured leg, she laughed. "I almost forgot that you can treat yourself. Did you manage to get the bullet out?" Her laughter, ringing in the dark room, sounded depressing to the ears."I never thought that a valedictorian from the world's most famous medical school would do such a vicious thing," Austin mocked."All right, not bad. Since you can still snap back like this means you aren't hungry or thirsty!" Rhea nodded. She wasn't moved as she weighed the things in her hands. "It seems like I've overstepped. You do
“So, in your eyes, your cousin is just another lab rat?" Austin questioned.However, Rhea was quick to retaliate. "It's an honor for her to be my lab rat! If it weren't for her father, she would be nothing compared to me!"Although her words were disdainful, Austin picked up a trace of…jealousy?It seemed like Rhea was highly jealous of her cousin. She was envious and full of resentment. Her tone differed from her usual ridicule and lightness. She was almost speaking through gritted teeth.‘She hates Anastasia!’"Are you jealous of your cousin?" Austin asked as an idea popped into his head."Jealous?!" Rhea’s tone went an octave higher. She stomped back into the basement and bent down to reach for his collar. "I am smarter than her, more beautiful than her, have a better figure than her, and am more capable than her.“I'm better than her in every aspect, and I'm a hundred times better at that! Why would I be jealous of her?! Have you lost your mind?!""It's because…" Austin dra
Lily tilted her head up to fight back her tears, saying, “There’s something I find strange.”“What is it?” Mike asked after comforting his son.“Instead of detaining Prince Ross, Her Majesty has sent him back to Yudonia. If so, why couldn’t we reach him?”After some thought, Mike answered, “There are two possibilities. It’s probably due to poor signals, or he doesn’t want us to contact him.”The two shared a look, knowing what each other was wondering.‘Why can’t we contact Ross? Is he planning something?’…Three days later, Lily inserted the last needle into the queen’s leg and looked up at her, saying, “You should start feeling your legs tomorrow. Still, it’ll take some time before you can stand.”Suddenly, Lily chuckled.“Why are you laughing?” Yasmin touched her legs. She had begun to regain sensation in her legs over the last two days. She then began to believe that she could get up. However, the queen was hesitant when the queen heard Lily chuckle.Lily shook her head
Lily straightened up and said without resentment, “Of course, you wouldn’t.”“That’s… quite a pity,” the queen murmured thoughtfully.“Well, there’s a price to pay for everything. That’s how the world balances itself,” Lily continued, “I can’t stop you if you must carry on with R10. Still, I won’t witness whether or not it succeeds. I just wish the outcome isn’t something you’ll regret.”Lily smiled and turned to head out the door.Rick heard their conversation as he stood guard outside. After exchanging looks with Lily as she brushed past him, he entered the room and saw the needles in Yasmin’s legs. “Your Majesty, those needles—”The queen waved dismissively. “It’s okay. Lily will remove them later.”Even so, Rick was wary. “You’re being too careless, Your Majesty. What if that woman—”“She wouldn’t,” Yasmin interjected, shaking her head."Why do you trust her so much?" Rick asked despite himself. The queen fell silent. If Rick had not asked her that, she would not have rea
Lily took out a cloth and unfolded it, revealing a row of silver needles inside. Yasmin was surprised she carried the needles with her.“Tell me. What do you want?” The queen took a deep breath to calm herself. She then reminded herself that she could always say no to Lily’s request. Still, Yasmin was cautious about Lily trying to trick her.Lily casually said, "I left because Prince Ross wanted to help me. I hope you don’t punish him.""That's it?" Yasmin thought she had misheard Lily. 'Is she trying to talk terms with me just so that I won't punish my son?' she wondered in disbelief."Ross is my son. I won't harm him. Don't you think you've wasted an opportunity by making such a request?" The queen shook her head. "I wasn’t sure if you’d blame him, but he did rescue me once. If I don't do anything, it would be ungrateful of me," Lily said gently, "Also, didn’t you already lock him up?"Yasmin was puzzled. "No, I only sent him back to Yudonia. He kept trying to get me to sto
"Three days," Lily replied.“That’s it?!” Yasmin was in disbelief. She thought Lily would try to buy some more time and suspected she would say the process would take several months or even years.‘I haven’t felt my legs for over a decade. I wouldn’t mind waiting for three more days.’“Are you sure I can get up and walk in just three days?” Yasmin pressed her legs hard but felt nothing. She would have treated her legs long ago if it were that easy.The queen had visited many famous doctors from various countries, but they could only stop her legs from getting weaker. However, Lily confidently told Yasmin that she could fix her legs so quickly.Yasmin wanted to believe it.After some consideration, Lily said, “I can’t guarantee that you’ll walk as fast as you once could. After all, you haven’t used your legs for a long time, and your muscles have atrophied. Still, you’ll recover slowly.”Yasmin nodded repeatedly, thinking it was good enough. She never dreamed of walking as well a
“Because only our opinions matter." Lily thought of something and said, "Unless you choose to believe Rhea.""I… don't trust anyone." Yasmin’s expression stiffened as she turned her wheelchair away."Your Majesty, I know you're dedicated to the experiment, but there are other things in life. Have you ever considered letting go of your burden to sightsee? You’ve done enough as a queen over the last few decades. Aren’t you tired of living a lonely life?”Lily gently spoke as she gazed at Yasmin’s back.The older woman caressed her knees with both hands and stared down at her legs, murmuring, “Sightsee, huh? I’ve forgotten what that’s like.”Yasmin had not used her legs for many years. Initially, she could still stand up and sometimes took a few steps. However, she could no longer get to her feet.She had grown accustomed to sitting in a wheelchair, but she felt a pang of sorrow after hearing Lily’s suggestion.Lily asked, “What if I can help you stand again? What if you can walk a
"Yes, I returned not just for him but also for you," Lily said, "I'm sure you were anxious for my return, weren't you?"Yasmin scoffed dismissively. "Why would I be? I have my bargaining chip. Besides, did you honestly think I couldn’t bring you back?""Bargaining chip? Do you mean Nick?" Lily shook her head with a smile. "Don't forget that he's not my son. Do you think he'll be much of a bargaining chip to you if I choose to ignore him for my three children?"She did not wait for Yasmin to reply and continued, "Besides, Nick still has a father who’s willing to die for him. If Mike decides to take drastic action against you— Yes, you're a queen, and you don't care much about an insignificant businessman.“However, don't forget that his business spans worldwide. There's no guarantee what he might do. Who knows, he might spread information that can affect Your Majesty and Yudonia's reputation?""You…" The queen was exasperated but could not retort.Lily noticed it and casually said
Rick could only remain silent at that moment.Yasmin then turned her wheelchair around and blandly said, “Bring Lily over. I’d like to see what excuses that sly woman can come up with.”"Your Majesty?" Rick was puzzled. "You know she'll just lie to you. Why must you—"Yasmin interjected, "I'd like to hear what she has to say."Rick had no choice but to leave and do as she said.As Lily was about to doze off, she heard noises from outside and opened her eyes. Immediately after, the door opened, and Rick appeared. He glared at her and spoke coldly, “Her Majesty wants to see you.”Lily glanced at Rick calmly and stood up as if she had expected his appearance. On the other hand, Mike rose before her and headed out.However, Rick stopped him as he reached the door. “You stay.”"But we came together!" Mike glanced over his shoulder at Lily, signaling her to persuade the man. Rick added, "The queen doesn’t wish to see you. Just stay here!"Lily patted Mike's shoulder and said gentl
Everyone was shocked when Lily returned to the embassy with Mike. One of the staff members quickly left to report the news to Queen Yasmin.Meanwhile, Lily saw people peering at her and Mike from the corner. Afterward, several guarded-looking men appeared. Lilt recognized them as the queen’s attendants. They brought Mike and Lily inside and then gave the duo a thorough search.The men only relaxed after finding nothing suspicious about the duo. Even so, Lily could not see the queen as the men told her to wait in an innermost room instead.After returning to the embassy, Lily felt a sense of strange familiarity. Although she knew the place well, her mindset had changed.She previously hated the embassy and simply wanted to escape. However, she had returned with a critical mission. Not only did she have to complete it, but she also needed to leave the place in one piece.While she was calm, Mike was somewhat anxious. He clasped his hands on his knees and glanced around as he sat dow
"I promise I'll do anything you want, okay?" Mike begged. He was desperate to see his son, so he decided to follow Lily when she insisted on returning to the embassy.Mike continued, “If any of you go with her, they might stop or suspect you. They won’t do that to me. It’s natural for me to want to see and rescue my son. I’m the best candidate because it makes sense for me to sacrifice myself for him.”After a short silence, Lily said, “You’re right.” She then looked at Alexander, who pondered before slowly raising his head and saying, “Me too.”Dominic tapped the table. "So do I."Cameron thought for a moment before saying, "I've no objections."Seeing this, Austin spread his arms and said, "Since you all agree, what else can I say? Let's do it!"It did not matter whether or not he agreed, but he just wanted to support Mike. The latter nodded and became emotional, saying, “Thanks, you guys!”"Why are you thanking us? Just be careful, and don’t be rash like you promised," Aust