"Will I die?" Cameron asked after thinking about it."No, that's not what I mean," Alexander hurriedly explained, "It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll die, but you might see signs of deterioration. You might not be as strong or fit as before, but these aren't the biggest concerns. The scariest thing would be the damage it might have done to your organs or brain."All of these were unanswered questions. Only time could tell. The best approach now would be for Lily to be here and observe Cameron daily, but that was an impossible request as she was in the organization’s lab and could not leave."All is good if I'm not dying soon," Cameron said nonchalantly.He had experienced countless storms over the years. This was nothing to him. On top of that, he had more important things to focus on right now. Only once he had settled his unfinished business would he retire and recuperate."Dad…" Anastasia was distraught as she squeezed her father’s hand. However, he shook his head to indicate t
It was a hot, sunny afternoon when Lily strode into the laboratory building with a hazmat suit on. She appeared to be in a hurry and looked like she was swamped.The hallway was silent, with no one in sight, which she had expected. Usually, most working areas would be packed with people during the day and turned dead silent at night.However, Lily noticed this place was the opposite after observing it for the last two days. Midnight was when this place would be full of people and was its busiest time, while no one would be around during the day.This place was the institute’s rightful property and a legitimate place of business. They could operate normally, but Lily wondered if they worked late at night because they were accustomed to doing things at night or could only do the experiments during that period.Anyhow, this place worked the opposite way as the other working areas. Since that was the case, Lily had to execute her plan during the day. Nonetheless, the different working
Lily subconsciously retracted her hand in an instant. She was shocked as well. The earlier feeling made her think she was under a curse. As Lily had learned about herbal plants, she knew how poisonous the wilfordi root could be.Moreover, this was a mutated plant before her, so she should not touch it. However, she felt she was possessed earlier because she could not help but extend her hand toward it. It was such a strange feeling.When she snapped back to her senses, she looked toward the voice. It was a man in a hazmat suit, and she could only see his eyes. She did not know anyone here, but the man gave her a sense of familiarity.“Who are you?” she asked warily.“You don’t need to know that, but I’d advise you to leave as quickly as possible.” With that, he turned and left the room.Lily was puzzled. She wondered if he had come here just to warn her. Before she could react, the man exited through the door and turned at the corner, disappearing from her sight.She chased behin
After the encounter, Lily thought things through again. She concluded it would be challenging to discover the truth about this place. Hence, she began to concentrate on the experiments.They were already halfway through. The main problem was that they could not blend the two types of materials and find the perfect ratio for the product.Lily found a problem in the provided data. Those previously in charge of this experiment had been using the ratio she previously provided, which was the one from the successful experiment.After seeing the data, she knew past researchers did not understand fragrances. To be exact, they did not understand the tricks of blending fragrances and herbs.The data from her successful experiment was accurate, but that was just a single success case. How could they use it for all the other experiments as well? After all, the ratio for different mixes of fragrances and herbs would vary, and the material that would need to be added to blend those two ingredien
“Did your boss tell you to ask me that?” Lily asked with a raised brow.Mike said nothing momentarily before he replied, “You’re still wary of me even now, aren’t you?”“Yes,” Lily answered unapologetically.The things Mike did and what he kept from them in the past made it impossible for Lily to trust him completely. After all, it was hard to rebuild broken trust, especially not with a few words exchanged.They were no longer friends, but Mike was not her enemy either.“Is there anyone I know working in this lab?” Lily asked out of the blue.Mike was stunned and pondered momentarily before answering, “A few people here have worked with you before. Why? Did you meet them?”“It’s not them,” Lily said with determination as she shook her head.There might be those people who Mike mentioned here, but Lily only had vague memories of them. Lily was not one to socialize much or put in the effort to build relationships with her colleagues, so she would not remember them much.She woul
“But you’ve said it yourself that the boss is just like a front desk and that there’s still someone else he has to answer to,” Lily said.“That’s right, but I’m sure he also has important information and secrets on his hands.” After pondering for a long time, Mike believed the boss should have something to keep himself safe, even if he was technically working for someone else.Although he was a madman, he also had his own beliefs: this so-called plan and research. Before they completed it, Mike was sure the boss would not allow himself to be in danger.“So, what you’re trying to say is…” A moment of silence later, Lily raised her brow and looked at Mike.“We should work hand-in-hand and find the secrets together.”Mike knew Lily was not here to serve the boss solely. She was just like him. He had been trying to free himself from their control and leave the organization for the longest time. However, he needed to stay to find Nick, but he still had no idea where Nick was until now.
“It’s not that I can’t tell you. I just… I’m not so sure either,” Mike said and pondered momentarily. After some time, he seemed to have decided something as he turned to look at Lily and continued, “You’ve seen the core of this research. Other research is ongoing at the same time as well.“However, all the research is stuck in this same phase, which means you must complete not just one but a couple. Still, the boss said we should prioritize R10 if we can’t make it in time.”After listening to him for so long, Lily finally heard the most critical thing. She instantly felt energetic again. “R10?”“Yeah. All the research here is in numerical order. I’m sure you’ve noticed that from the documents you’ve browsed through. R10 is the most crucial research out of all of them.”“Is R10 the one I’m doing now?” Lily asked after some thought.“No.” Unexpectedly, Mike shook his head. “The one you’re working on right now is R13.”Lily was even more surprised. “R13? Wait, aren’t they in numeri
“You…” Fabian wanted to raise his voice at Maria but held back upon seeing her complexion. After all, Maria looked the best today compared to the previous days.“Are you listening to what I’m saying?” Fabian tried to be patient and asked her nicely.“I heard you. Cameron is awake.” Maria placed her cutlery down and wiped her mouth with a napkin before looking at Fabian. “What about it?”“He wouldn’t obey us anymore, and he is the same as he was in the past again!” As Fabian had gotten a reply from Maria, he sat down with one arm on his knee, appearing to be in distress as he continued, “It’s game over for us if he goes back on his words and takes the project back from us!”If it were in the past, Maria would have been wailing already. However, she was exceptionally calm today, comforting him faintly, “No, he won’t.”“How can you be sure of that?” Surprised by her words, Fabian asked doubtfully.“Are you an idiot? This project isn’t playing house, so how could he go back on his wo
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