"Why would you waver because of a few words from that woman?" Fred's expression was grim, but he restrained his tone as he continued, "We've been conducting our research for so long and finally found a perfect match for you.“We can't give up because of what she said. I know you're kind and reluctant, but think about your people and your country’s unfinished missions. Our nation needs you—the people need you!"The room fell silent again as if the person behind Fred was contemplating her words or he had persuaded her otherwise.After not receiving an answer, Fred pressed on. "Your Majesty, if that woman's health is so bad, how could she manipulate the doctors and escape from us repeatedly? She’s clever, physically fit, and, most importantly, highly compatible with your body.“This experiment isn't just for you. Our entire country will benefit if it succeeds. We will become the strongest nation in the world, and no one will dare challenge us."He continued speaking, each word striki
“Of course I do!" the man said, raising his eyes and looking at his wife before him. "W-What's going on?"His wife smiled at him, still holding the candle-lit cake. "Make a wish first!"The man stood up slowly and looked at the cake and burning candles. He shook his head, saying, "I have no wishes. My biggest wish has already come true. I've always wished for you all to return safe and sound and for our family to be together forever!"His wife smiled again, but the two children asked for some cake."All right, let's have some cake!" He said, blowing out the candles and removing them. Then he cut the cake into small pieces and handed them to his children.Each child got a piece of cake and happily went to eat while he held his wife's hand and sat down. "So, what's the story behind all this?"‘Didn’t they get kidnapped? Although someone rescued them somehow, my family still went from one group to another. It’s just a different form of captivity with the same purpose of manipulating
Edward leaned against the wall outside and lit a cigarette. Just as he exhaled a puff of smoke, he heard movement from the house and saw the doctor walking out.Edward gestured with his chin toward the house. "Why not spend more time with them?"Without answering, the doctor looked at him and asked, "What do you want from us?""Huh?" Edward seemed somewhat puzzled."You saved my wife and children and then released them. There must be a condition. What do you want me to do?" The doctor had already thought it through inside the house. He knew they would not release his family without expecting something in return.He was willing to do whatever it took as long as his family was safe. Nothing else mattered more."There's no demand." Edward waved. "None."The doctor was shocked.‘How can that be? He did a great favor for me. Surely they’ll have a demand.’Edward noticed his disbelief and straightened up, saying solemnly, “We wouldn’t have released your family if we wanted something
Alexander had already found where the organization hid. Although the doctor was still valuable, Alexander no longer needed him. His main challenge was rescuing Lily and the other hostages from that place."Whatever it is, thank you very much!" The doctor thanked Edward emotionally before turning to look into the house.His wife and children happily enjoyed the cake, playfully smearing cream on each others’ faces. Despite their joy, the doctor knew they must have been frightened and harmed during captivity.Being reunited as a family now and enjoying their time together was rare and precious."There's no need to thank us. We understand the difficulties you’re facing," Edward said, raising his hand and patting the doctor's shoulder. Then he extinguished the cigarette."Let's go!" Edward said, indicating it was time to leave.However, the doctor hurriedly stopped him. "There's something… I'm not sure if your boss knows about it."Edward raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"After a mom
Mike felt rejuvenated after showering and changing his clothes at Alexander’s house. Mike had lived in constant uncertainty and despair over the past few months. He did not even know how he managed to get through it until today.He was still confused when he went to the embassy and came back.Mike faced panic when the organization took his son, was helpless when he got blackmailed and eventually accepted this reality. He tried everything to rescue Nick and almost forgot how his son used to talk to him.Now that the “boss” was dead, Mike lost his only connection to Nick. Even though Mike knew where his son was, he could not rush in and save him. He felt utterly useless.He looked at the photos of his son on his phone, along with the secretly stored video clips, feeling sad. After putting on his clothes, he left the room and saw Alexander sitting in the living room.Meanwhile, Edward stood beside Alexander, seemingly giving a report. The duo heard some movements and looked at Mike.
Mike snorted and spoke with a hint of sarcasm. Previously, he could trust Alexander and calmly listen to his words.However, after everything that happened at the embassy, Mike started to feel anxious and doubted whether Alexander’s actions had meaning or if he could save Nick.“Watch your tongue, Mr. Corden!” Edward could not help but reprimand him.Still, Mike’s temper flared as he could no longer listen to anyone. He sneered at Edward and said, “Who gave you the right to judge me?! Yes, I lied to Alex before and made some mistakes, but you have no idea what I went through in there!“Lily has been missing for a few days while my son has been gone for months! I even think he might not be alive…” Mike could not finish his sentence. He squatted and clutched his head in agony, still holding the glass of water.He suspected his son had died but dared not say it aloud, afraid of manifesting his thoughts.Edward wanted to scold Mike, but Alexander raised his hands to stop him.Words
"What's going on?" Edward also sensed something amiss and rushed over. He grabbed Mike by his collar and demanded, "Speak!"Perhaps due to shock or because Mike had not fully regained his senses, he remained dazed as he repeated the exact phrase."Mike Corden, what are you saying?!" Edward punched him on the chin, unable to hold back.The punch seemed to knock some sense back into Mike, and he sat on the ground, holding his chin in pain. He stared at Edward in a daze for a couple of seconds.Mike scrambled to his feet as if noticing Alexander. He grabbed Alexander’s arm and urgently said, “You can’t wait any longer. They want to use Lily as a test subject for R10. Her body is the vessel!"They're waiting for her to give birth and recover so they can start the experiments. You must act quickly, or it'll be too late!"This revelation shocked Alexander, and he struggled to control his emotions. He asked, frowning, “What are you saying?Edward also asked, “What test subject? What ve
Alexander turned and asked, “Have you talked to Dr. Blanc?”“Dr. Blanc?” Although Mike did not know the identity of those who contained him last time, his eyes widened, knowing their leader was Dr. Blanc. “Are you sending me back to them? No, I’m not going! Didn’t they test me? I’m not infected! Why should they contain me?”“No one is trying to contain you, okay?” Edward shot him an impatient look, then said to Alexander, “I’ve told Dr. Blanc about it, and he says they need about a day to prepare for it. He’ll inform us about the details as soon as possible.”Alexander nodded.“What’s this all about?” Mike looked at the two, puzzled.Alexander took a deep breath and said, “Mike, I know you’re anxious, but I’m no better off than you. As you know, Lily and the twins are in their hands, and they plan to experiment on her. No matter what you think, even if we prepare for the worst…”He paused as the veins on his forehead bulged. He clenched his fists and shut his eyes, seemingly tryi
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