Lily lay on the bed for a whole day at stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. She had not experienced such peace in a long time, especially since she had always been busy. She could not afford to relax, even during her pregnancy.However, she had no choice but to remain idle. It was the most boring experience of her life.The doctor never returned after delivering the message to Lily that day. Lily even feared the organization had discovered and silenced him. Still, she could not do anything and knew nothing.Alexander told her to wait, so she waited. However, she could not just keep waiting and had to seize an opportunity to do something herself. After resting and finishing her meal as usual, she stood up and started to tear down the house.The room had tampered glass windows, and Lily could not smash them, so she smashed other things. She smashed everything she could lift and use, like the floor, walls, television, water dispenser, and surveillance cameras.She demolished every
Lily’s mind went blank after the hot flow, realizing it should be her water breaking. It was probably too late if she had already reached this stage. She had no choice, so she weakly called out, “H-Help…However, no one responded.She glanced at the door and had to approach the entrance herself. Otherwise, they might think she was tricking or deceiving them. Still, she could not worry about that now and could only support herself to try and move toward the door.Suddenly, the door swung open from the outside, and a few professional-looking doctors rushed in with a stretcher. Then they swiftly lifted her onto it. Someone on the sidelines said in English, “Take a deep breath!”Lily was shocked.‘It seems they’re quite prepared.’Previously, everyone she met had always been foreigners, but local people were present during her delivery.‘So, they were ready and waited for me to go into labor naturally.’Lily did not expect her labor to come at such an inconvenient time. She glanced
In reality, there were some things even Lily could not control. She had initially considered things, hoping for a way to gather helpful information during the delivery.‘Perhaps… If…’However, there were no “ifs” and “perhaps.”Lily passed out from the intense pain before the delivery. This delivery was much more painful and tumultuous than the last. When she regained consciousness, she realized her belly had flattened, and she was lying somewhere resembling a hospital room.The surrounding walls were all white, and there were hardly any extra items in the room. The doctors had also hooked her up to an IV.Lily also had no idea when someone removed her blindfold. Although she could see, it made no difference.‘There’s nothing here at all. It’s just another unidentifiable place. More importantly, where are my children?!’She found no signs of her children, even after searching around. As she touched her belly, it was evident she had undergone a cesarean section since there was a
“I want my children, and I won’t repeat myself!” Lily looked around her, saying sternly, “I know you guys can hear me!”“You’ve given birth to a boy and a girl. Both are safe and sound, so don’t worry, okay?” The doctor that passed on Alexander’s message took a step forward. “However, as they were born prematurely and have congenital deficiencies, we’ve placed them in the neonatal ward for observation. We’ll bring them to you once their conditions stabilize.”Lily looked at him, not fully believing his words. “Is that the truth?”“It is,” the other doctor answered, “What matters most now is for you to take good care of yourself. It’s the only way you’ll be able to see your children.”“I don’t believe you. I want to see my children now!” Lily stiffened her neck and pointed a needle at it, unconvinced. “I’ll kill myself right now if I don’t see them.”“Well…” After a momentary hesitation, the two doctors exchanged a look, and one said, “Ma’am, we need to ask for approval.”“Do it t
“Ma’am…” The two doctors were about to say something when someone opened the door. Fred announced as he held his cane, “You wanted to see me?” The doctors saw him and stepped back to make way for him. Then Lily glanced at him and placidly lay back down while adjusting her posture. “Not you.”“Oh, yeah? But you said just now…” Fred raised his brow and dug his ear. “I must’ve misheard.”“You didn’t. I said I wanted to see their boss, but you’re not the one!” Lily stared straight at the ceiling, unblinking. After staying here for a while, she had developed an ability to fix her gaze on the ceiling for hours.With a shrug, Fred turned to look at one of the doctors, who hastily wiped the blood off Lily and tried to lift the blanket to check the surgical wound on her belly.However, Lily held the blanket down and mechanically repeated, “I want to see your boss.”“Do not push your luck!” Fred’s expression turned grim. “You should count yourself lucky that I’ve come to see you.”“Oh, y
Fred became lost in thought without even offering a retort.‘She’s right. Our research team failed to create R10, and we sought her help because she was the only one who could do it based on the information we gathered. She eventually created it, but what about its potential side effects and efficacy? Nobody knows for sure.’“I don’t want to waste my breath, and we both know you can’t make the final decision. So, just ask your boss, okay? I can wait, but my patience is wearing thin.” Lily shut her eyes and added, “You know how easy it is for me to kill myself.”Fred was at a loss for words. His face stiffened as he glared at Lily. However, he knew he could do nothing. He gave the doctors a look, then turned to leave the room, saying, “Take her children away!”One of the doctors went after Fred while carrying the two babies, and Lily wanted to open her eyes to look, but she gritted her teeth and stopped herself instead.‘I won’t change a thing even if I look at them. What matters n
Lily looked at the doctor in astonishment while he indifferently packed his stuff and left as if he had not said a thing. Thinking back, Lily felt like she had just experienced an auditory hallucination.However, the doctor’s words kept ringing in her ear. The most puzzling thing to Lily was that the doctor who treated her surgical wound was not the one who passed her Alexander’s message.‘Is he one of ours too, or was that a case of a guilty conscience? It could also be…a trap.’She was momentarily confused.…Although Alexander had caught Rhea, he did not know what to do with her. Since she was an extremely dangerous psychopath and he could not hand her over to the police just yet, he could only lock her up for the time being.He tried interrogating her twice but failed to get any helpful information.‘Her way of thinking isn’t normal. Anyway, the most pressing matter is to find out where Cameron is.’Alexander and his men had searched the secret room several times but found
Alexander knew Edward would not listen to him otherwise, so he tried reasoning with Edward using his wife and child.Edward hesitated when he heard Olivia’s name but soon answered, “No, I should be doing something more important now. I’m familiar with that place, so I should be the one going!“If not, I would’ve infiltrated that place for nothing, right? Besides, most of those working for the organization have left, and those who remain are low-level lackeys. So, don’t worry about me, all right?“I’ll only be searching for someone, not going to war.” Edward, who rarely laughed, chuckled, trying to sound casual.However, he could not fool Alexander, who shook his head. “Cut the act, all right? We both know what kind of place that is. You’re already infected. If you catch another poison, you’ll die! You—”“That’s why I should go! I have nothing to lose since I’m already infected. You’re different. You have too many important things to do. I wouldn’t have survived or led a good life
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