"Okay, let's say he changed. What are you planning to do next? Are you going to cut him off?" Lily knew Anastasia was fuming with anger, so she played along."Yeah! Who cares! I'm not scared of him!" Anastasia retorted.Lily instinctively laughed when she heard that. "It's not a question of whether or not you’re afraid. It's a question of your reluctance.""I…of course, I am willing to! There's nothing to be reluctant about!""Silly girl! It's just a dispute. Besides, adults will always weigh the pros and cons before they act. Of course, I'm not dismissing your importance, but maybe your father had other things to reconsider. Maybe he isn't brushing you off. Maybe he's just pushing it aside for now," Lily said.To be frank, she had no idea what was happening with Cameron. Even if she was not there and did not see anything, Anastasia's story sounded too strange. Still, things were more complex than they seemed.Lily had met Cameron several times before. She could see the love he h
It was Mike Corden. A man wearing a white coat, a mask, and a hat stood beside Mike. Austin could not see his face, but he was holding a familiar-looking tray with a syringe and a bottle of drugs.The man bent over, took Austin’s arm, and jabbed it with the syringe.Austin felt as if a mosquito had bitten him. He wanted to struggle free but was unable to move. Without much energy, he felt limp and thought something was wrong with his body.“Argh… argh…” He struggled in vain to make a sound as if something was choking him.The man in the white coat straightened up after pulling out the needle. He had emptied whatever drug was inside the syringe into Austin’s body. The man nodded and left while Mike stood there, gazing at Austin quietly.Austin wanted to chide him and ask what they injected him with. He wished to know what they were doing because he felt like a 1000-pound rock was weighing him down.‘It looks like I’m not dead yet, but worse! Before this, I at least knew I was in t
Mike chuckled. “You’re not that dumb after all.” “You’re experimenting on human beings?” Austin's voice broke from the shock. He had guessed so but still found it hard to believe. ‘No one in their right mind would conduct experiments on living humans in the modern era. International organizations would condemn this inhumane crime against humanity.‘Nothing would ever be tried out on living humans in the name of medical discovery or innovation. Just who the f*ck are these people? I didn't even realize it after working with them for so long.’Mike didn't respond but instead stared at him coldly. His eyes behind the glasses were unfathomable, and one could not guess what he was thinking. “What are you looking at? Have I said anything wrong? If you guys are experimenting on human beings, then you’re animals! No, you’re worse than animals! You… you…”Austin wanted to continue his tirade but found that he could not. His throat felt like it was being rolled around in hot oil, and he
He seemed rather upset. “I could only describe what I observed. You know this is not my profession. I can’t possibly write a detailed report.” Mike appeared innocent as he opened his arms. “This kind of job is more suitable for Rhea.”“So you’re complaining that I asked you to do this instead of Rhea?” Looking up, the man asked unhappily. His voice, rough and unpleasant, was unsettling. Mike shook his head. “No, that’s not what I meant. I’m just saying that this is not my profession, and I know little about it. So I might make mistakes or not perform a detailed and objective observation. I… worry that I’d delay the progress of the experiment,” he replied in a seemingly objective manner. “Hmm…” The impatient man thought about it seriously. “Rhea is doing another more important experiment and cannot afford to make any mistakes. Also, we are short on staffing. Otherwise, I wouldn’t ask you to do it.”Mike remained quiet. “I know you’re against it, and you still have some softnes
‘The police had just investigated the research institute. Although they did not discover anything, we attracted their attention.‘Besides, we’re in Hyderland and Kingsland. What kind of tricks can we pull under their watchful eyes? It’s already not easy to secure this shabby basement in the equally shabby hospital. This is the only place where others wouldn’t discover us.’ “What’s so difficult about it? I think you’re just finding excuses!” The man roared without much concern. He only knew that staying in a place like this would smother and bore him to death. “If you can’t find a more suitable place for us to move to, then your son…” As he deliberated, a malicious grin formed on his lips. Mike was alarmed. “This has nothing to do with my son! Even if you kill him, I won’t be able to do things beyond me. I’m already trying my best to think of solutions. Furthermore, the experiment has reached its final stage.“This place is the most suitable, as we’re in a hospital. It wouldn't
Lily gazed at Alexander, seemingly sleeping on the bed. She knitted her brow tightly and observed his face while checking his pulse. She lifted her eyelids to look at him, and her expression grew somber.Only when she let go of Alexander’s wrist did Greg ask, “How is he?”“The virus might have mutated,” Lily said while looking at him.“What does it mean?” Greg raised his voice. He knew little about it except that it sounded scary.After some thought, Lily looked at Greg and said, “He can’t stay here. I have to bring him to another place.”Greg was stunned and shook his head repeatedly. “No, Alexander said he shouldn’t leave before he gets completely well, or he would spread the disease to others.”“It’s indeed contagious, but I’m afraid he’ll die if he stays here any longer. The virus has started to mutate. If we don’t contain it, I have no idea what it will become or whether it will mutate again. I don’t have enough resources, either. We can only save him by transferring him to
All personnel took safety measures during the transfer as they had limited knowledge about the virus. All they knew was that experts within the country were researching it, and a vaccine development project had been launched, although it had yet to succeed.Lily chose a small hospital in the suburb of Kingsland instead of a larger hospital in the city for two reasons. First, she worried that the virus would spread in a crowded area.Second, even though it was a small hospital, she could access all the necessary equipment and workforce through the Russell family’s influence. Therefore, it was okay if its location was a bit remote.They transferred Alexander discreetly and did not reveal it to outsiders. Even those who came to escort Alexander were chosen among his most loyal bodyguards to ensure everyone would keep it a secret.Alexander’s condition was somewhat stable during the journey, although he remained feverish and did not wake up. He also looked pale and emaciated. Lily was
Maria felt even more pleased when Rhea obliged her. “Look! I got the maids to make goat cheese salad, stuffed tomatoes, and roasted fish with wild mushrooms. You loved them the most when you were little.”Rhea’s expression changed when her mother mentioned her childhood.Maria noticed it and quickly said, “I wonder if they’re still your favorites. If you don’t want to eat them, tell me what you would like to eat, and I’ll get them to prepare it!”“There’s no need. Food is just there to make us full.” Rhea sat at the table, picked up the spoon and fork, and looked disinterested.Maria’s spirit dampened. She was slightly embarrassed and glanced at her husband.Fabian only frowned back. ‘Why did you bring up her childhood? You knew Rhea hated it the most!’When the couple returned from the Rollins’ house the other day, they talked all night as they had no idea that Rhea hated her childhood that much. They always thought she was only jealous of Anastasia back then, and it was not a b