Alexander smiled, nodded, and said, “I’m feeling much better.” After a pause, he added, The past few months must’ve been terrible for you.”He spoke simply and meaningfully. Since he was sick, he could no longer care for his wife and became a burden. He also learned more about Lily, even though he regretted being in this state.He always thought she was a strong, independent, and intelligent woman and that he was powerful enough to protect her. However, the sickness made him realize that he, too, could be weak and helpless and that he could also count on Lily to protect him.Between them, there was never a question of who was dependent. Instead, they always depended on, supported, and backed each other.“Don’t be silly!” Lily chided him softly. Growing calmer, she rose and looked at him, then asked seriously, “Have you thought it through? Do you want to go with us? You don’t even know who they are, do you?”‘He must’ve just come out from the coma not long ago. If not, they would h
Seeing this, Lily had nothing to say and could only follow closely behind. …Fabian has been doing very well lately. The new tender event was just for show, and the project was handed directly over to him. Those who alienated or harassed him for debt repayments or terminated cooperation with him had changed their attitude and come to curry favor with him. However, he put on airs instead. Standing before the vast expanse of the premise, he talked nonstop on the phone. “Hey, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but I’m simply too busy. You know I’m engaged with a huge project and have no time!“Yeah, I don’t mean to look down on you… However, Mr. Will, you said differently when you asked me for money. Am I not trying to make money to pay you back? I know the economy is bad, and it’s not easy for everyone, isn’t it? Come on, that’s not what I meant…”Putting on a mocking tone on purpose, he enjoyed hearing Mr. Will beg him because the man had been arrogant. With one hand on
“No idea!” Rhea grew impatient. “Why do you care about him so much?”Her tone was unfriendly. Stumped, Maria paused for a moment. “I-I was just wondering.”‘I dealt with Austin several times, didn’t I? To beg him, I had to travel here and there, and he ended up being a fake miracle doctor. What about my gifts and medical fees? If he’s fake, I should get them all back, shouldn’t I?‘However, it’s too late now since he’s gone missing. From what I heard, he might even be dead now.’“I just think that if he were found, I could at least get him to refund me. The money was so ill-spent!” Worried that she would upset her daughter, she spoke in a murmur, then quickly added, “Anyway, perhaps one of his victims found out that he was a fake and kidnapped him out of spite.”Not paying attention, Rhea cocked her head with a frown as her mother tugged at her sleeve. “Hmm, it’s possible.”Maria was delighted by her patronizing remark and became convinced that her speculation was correct. “But y
Bragging on the phone, Fabian saw Cameron and hastily ended the call after saying a few more words.He jogged over. “Ron, you came at the right time! Everything is almost done, and the lab equipment is relatively complete. Soon we can-"Before he could finish, Cameron impatiently shoved him aside. Looking at Rhea, the man opened his mouth wordlessly, then shut it with a frown. “Ron…” Fabian was baffled, as Cameron always wanted him to give detailed reports on the progress and materials used. Although it was not his job, Cameron told him he could not afford to make any mistakes. That was why he took the initiative and ensured everything was ready. ‘But why doesn’t Ron seem to want to hear my report?’ “Dad, Mom, excuse us, please.” Rhea said with her head cocked to the side.The couple exchanged a look. Although they were puzzled, they had gotten used to it recently. They were unsure what kind of secret could make Rhea so close to Cameron, as she had never been on familiar term
“You have no jurisdiction over it despite being who you are?” Puzzled, Rhea frowned.Cameron explained, “Even though I hold a high post, I’m in charge of a different department.”“Tsk.” Rhea was somewhat disdainful. “I thought you have power, but I was wrong.”Cameron did not retort to Rhea’s mockery but looked ashamed instead. Meanwhile, Fabian and his wife were bewildered as they peered from afar.“I wonder what Ree has on him. I’ve never seen Ron looking so attentive. He was never like that, even in front of my sister. He’s acting like a…” Fabian paused and hesitated whether to say the word.On the other hand, Maria was outspoken, so she completed his sentence, “Like a lapdog!”Fabian was astounded. He shot his wife a look but did not scold her because he thought so too.“I feel the same way. I asked Ree what the secret is all about just now.”“What did she say?” Fabian asked eagerly, rather intrigued.“She said that hearing about it might cost me my life and asked me wheth
‘It looks like La Beauté Group is doomed. With this project, my company might even fly higher and replace them.’ With that happy thought in mind, Fabian decided not to chase after his brother-in-law.…His unseeing eyes stared emptily at the light on the ceiling. It was as if he was devoid of life and had died. Still, he was breathing and still alive.Instead of dying, he felt like he was splitting apart at random intervals, so painful that he would slam his head and body onto the closest wall. However, it was pointless. ‘This is worse than death! So much worse than death!’Austin never imagined ending up like this. He had grown up with others pampering him, while no one was ever rude to him except Dominic. Now Austin had gotten imprisoned as a guinea pig and could not even die.He felt numb as he heard the door open but did not even bat an eyelid. After all, it did not matter who the visitor was in a hellhole like this.“The drug hasn’t taken its effect today?” A man said, see
Austin’s eyeballs moved, finally showing a response. However, his eyes merely shifted to glance at Mike, then stared back at the ceiling. It was clear that Austin did not trust him.Having anticipated this, Mike smiled and sat down by the bed. “You don’t trust me, do you?”Austin did not bother to look at him. ‘Isn’t that obvious?’“You’re right not to trust me. After all, who could we trust in this world?” Mike said with a tinge of emotion as if talking to himself. Then he added, “You can choose not to believe me and think I’m lying to you again, but note that I will not repeat what I’m going to say, and it’s up to you whether or not to believe it.”Without waiting for Austin’s response, he continued, “You’ll be transferred to another place tomorrow. We’re ditching this place and will relocate our experiment to a newer, bigger, and safer place. For you, tomorrow will be the best time to escape.”Austin kept telling himself that Mike was a liar and that he should not trust him aga
“You don’t think I’m lying, do you?” Looking over his shoulder at him, Mike let out a half-smile.Pursing his lips, Austin did not reply.He was unsure if Mike was fooling him or trying to help, but anyone would cling to hope despite all odds. No one would want to give up, even though the chance to live was slim. ‘Everyone strives to live!’Even if the odds were one in 10,000, he would try it.Seeing him in silence, Mike let out a bland smile, then turned around and casually put his hands in his pockets, slightly lifting his head. “If, and only if, you’re lucky enough to get away, I’m sure you won't... spare them, right?”Austin was puzzled.Without waiting for his reply, Mike walked off.The door was shut, and a dead silence ensued. However, this time, Austin slowly sat on the bed like a corpse.It was a simple movement, but it seemed very difficult for him.However, invigorated by hope, he sat up, gazed down at the pill in his hand, and then moved his nose closer to it to