That was why Austin was willing to believe something, even if it seemed far-fetched.Mike’s thoughts became clearer after calming down. He said, “Should we trust Rhea and make a deal with the organization?”Alexander did not answer because he also needed to consider their options.‘We’ve confirmed that Rhea has used the virus on herself. Still, we don’t know to which extent its effects have taken hold or if there will be any complications or aftereffects.’After a moment, Alexander decided to put the matter aside. “Let’s not make the deal first.” “You don’t trust her?” Austin looked at him. ‘Well, she hardly tells the truth. It’s understandable if Alex doesn’t believe her.’However, Alexander shook his head. “It’s the organization I worry about. So far, Lily has been important to them. Why? Because they treat her as a…vessel.”He paused toward the end because he found it hard to utter the word.“Will the organization let Lily go if they find a better vessel or know someone c
Mike licked his dry lips before saying, “I stole two bottles of the viruses when I was at the lab.”Austin and Alexander exchanged shocked glances. One of them asked, “What kind of viruses?”“Stuff they developed at the lab. I have no idea what they are, but I thought they might come in handy one day, probably for an exchange or something. Anyway, I just took them,” Mike spoke casually.“I didn’t tell you guys before for selfish reasons. As I said, I thought they might come in handy. I feel we can use them now.”Alexander disliked Mike’s plan and frowned, asking, “What are you planning to do?”“I want to use the virus on myself.” After a pause, Mike looked up with an unwavering gaze.“Have you lost your fucking mind? You don’t even know what it would do to you!” Alexander exclaimed. ‘What the hell is he thinking? How can he even consider such a thing?’ he thought.“I don’t, but he might,” Mike pointed his chin at Austin and said, “I’m okay as long as I don’t die. What matters
Mike would have some peace if Alexander cared for Nick.“Hey!” Alexander pushed Mike’s hand off his shoulder and said, “Take care of Nick yourself, got it? Just stay positive and stop worrying. Austin’s been through a lot, but he’s doing fine, right?”Austin was surprised. He did not expect Alexander to cue him to say something. The former shrugged and smiled awkwardly, saying, “Life goes on. Besides, it’s not the end of the world yet.“We might still have a chance to do something,” Austin paused momentarily and added, “Can you guess why they haven’t started the experiment’s last phase?” Mike blinked. “Why?”Alexander pondered for a moment. “It’s not the time yet.” “That’s right! I think so, too! They have Lily, and they’ve abandoned the lab. Why don’t they start the last phase now? It must have something to do with timing. Then what are they waiting for?” Austin rubbed his chin.Mike recalled what he knew, “They wanted Lily to recover from her delivery. They’re probably waiti
Lily did not get to spend much time with the queen because Fred returned. He no longer showed respect to the queen and strode into the outhouse. After glancing around, he turned and headed toward the bedroom.“Fred?” The queen noticed him ignoring her and shouted, “Stop right there!”However, Fred continued to ignore her and pushed the bedroom door open. “Fred…”“Just as I thought,” Fred sneered. He saw Lily sitting on a chair and went to pull her up. However, he caught himself and drew his hand back. “Do you think you can escape by hiding here?”“Escape? Why would I do that?” Lily raised her brow.“You better be telling the truth! There’s no escape for you, got it?” Fred spoke coldly. “Follow me!” “Why should I?” Lily asked, still looking as indifferent as before.“Don’t you want your children anymore? Don’t you care about their lives?” Fred threatened. Lily shook her head. “Well, don’t you care about your life? Don’t forget that you’ve taken—"“Your poison?” Fred chuckle
“You’re quite a talker, aren’t you?” the queen spoke coldly.“I’m many other things as well.” Fred looked over his shoulder and smirked, seeing Lily emerge from the room. He then left without looking back.As Lily followed him, the queen could not help but call out to her, “Lily!”“Your Majesty, I know you’re not foolish. Take some time to think about what I said.” Lily looked at her intensely and left.Lily did not see her babies outside the doorway. Instead, a guard held a miniature recording device with the babies’ cries coming from it. She asked, “Where are my babies?”“Oh, you still care about them? I was thinking of feeding them to the dogs.” Fred revealed an annoying smile.Lily felt like pouncing on him and ripping his face apart. “You’ll be sorry if you dare lay a finger on them!” “Your life is in my hands, remember? Who the fuck are you to threaten me?” Fred snorted. “Take her away!” Although he told the guards to imprison her elsewhere, he was still worried. ‘Th
The man winced at the intense light and groaned in agony. He looked dirty and disgusting, with bloodstains and wounds all over.Fred clicked his tongue and waved his handkerchief. He mocked, “How could they do this to you? You’re a doctor, after all. They shouldn’t have been so harsh on you, right?”The prisoner was the doctor who examined Lily. He had refused to leave with his family and returned as Alexander’s spy. Unfortunately, he got caught and confined in the underground chamber.He looked horrible after enduring two days of torture. Fred sat on a stool a guard had brought over. “So, what did they offer you to turn you against me?”He crossed his legs and continued to hold the handkerchief over his nose. He felt better being able to sit down.The doctor knew the organization would kill him either way. He neither looked at Fred nor replied.“Talk!” Fred glanced at a guard, who then lashed the doctor. The crisp sounds of the whip striking his flesh were terrifying. The do
Fred chuckled. “Innocent? The world is full of innocent people. Do I have to show everyone mercy? Besides, you should know why I refuse to leave them alone.”The doctor was at a loss.“Tell me, what did he offer you besides rescuing your family?” Fred walked away and stood slightly further away from the doctor. “Why did you return after he saved your family? Was it to become Alexander Russell’s spy? What did he promise you?”He was genuinely curious.Fred got turned down when he tried to hire the doctor with a hefty sum. The doctor only yielded when Fred took his family hostage. Therefore, Fred wondered what Alexander had offered the doctor.“Men like you will never understand!” The doctor exclaimed hoarsely.“Men like me? Do you think you’re noble? Do you think Alexander and his men are good people? Why would they want you to return here as their spy if they were? Do they care about your life?”Fred stared at him. “What did they tell you? Did they mention their plan? Tell me, a
Austin didn’t leave that day and stayed at Alexander’s place.When Alexander went downstairs, he spotted someone sitting in a rocking chair on the patio facing the yard. He grabbed two beer cans and went to hand Austin one. “Want one?”Austin smiled and took the beer. With a pop, he pulled the tab and took a swig. “I used to think you were just a shitty businessman who cares only about money, but now I feel that—”“I’m not?” Alexander asked. “Now I feel you’re a savvy businessman who might not care much about money.” Austin laughed at his own half-joke.Alexander chuckled along and sipped his beer. However, he could not help but frown. He looked at Austin and asked, “So there’s nothing you can do about the stuff inside Rhea?”He did not ask this question when Mike was around. After all, Mike was emotionally unstable, and Alexander did not want to agitate him.“The simplest approach is to know the formula.” Austin looked at the moon. “The other way is to analyze its pharmacologi