Rhea took a moment before snorting. “That’s nonsense!”Lily’s words had struck a chord with her, but Rhea couldn’t show it. The latter remembered how her parents had neglected her during her childhood.Rhea had tried to attract her parents’ attention but could not shake the feeling that they cared about Anastasia more. To Rhea, kinship was nothing compared to power and money.“Cut the crap! There are no good parents in the world! All they care about is self-interest,” Rhea said coldly, “If you could exchange your children’s lives for a chance to live, wouldn’t you do it?”She believed everyone would.“Of course not!” Lily answered readily. “Would you? Would your parents?”She got to Rhea’s nerve, and the latter shouted, “What do you care?!”“Well, my decision is also none of your business, right?” Lily asked steadily with a faint smile.Rhea was stumped.“Fine, I won’t waste my time arguing with you. Unlike you, I still have many important experiments and wonderful things to c
That evening, Alexander arrived at the entrance of a rather discreet private club. After a strict security check, he proceeded to the innermost VIP room. Having arrived early, he made some preparations. When he was almost done, Cameron brought a foreigner over. The usually stern-faced man spoke smilingly as he courteously led the guest inside. Seeing them, Alexander quickly went over. “Ross, this is the Mr. Alexander Russell I told you about. He’s a prominent businessman in Kingsland. Oh, yes, he also has many properties and businesses in Yudonia,” Cameron introduced the two with a smile.Alexander said, “It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness. Just call me Alex.” “Nice to meet you, Alex,” Ross said in a friendly manner and nodded. “I’ve heard much about you. You’re good at making money off my country, huh?”Cameron laughed while Alexander said, “Well, I do make a lot of money doing business in Yudonia, but you also benefit from the affordable goods I sell.“Besides, there
Ross smiled. “It’s hard to control the timing, so I can’t promise anything. After all, Fred is one of mine, and he’s assisted my mother for many years. I can’t just listen to your side of the story.”“Your Highness,” Alexander called out, trying to stress its severity. “You’re right to think so, but Fred’s experiment will not just harm my wife but also the queen. “There’s no guarantee the experiment will work, and it has high risks. We could have arrested Fred for conducting such experiments in Hyderland. Still, we’d like to discuss it first out of respect for your country, you, and Her Majesty.”“Yes,” Cameron nodded, “We don’t want to escalate the issue. Our two countries have been on peaceful terms. We don’t want our ties to be affected by it.”After a pause, he deepened his voice and said, “Moreover, we have concrete evidence regarding Fred’s experiments. If this gets out, every country in the world will condemn Yudonia. I’m sure you’re aware of the consequences, Your Highness
“I agree. However, since we’ve known each other for many years, I’m warning you as a friend. Only you can decide what to do since it’s your family’s affair. If you need help, Alexander and I will help. Still, we must stick to protocols for official matters.”Cameron gave an all-encompassing and flexible answer.Ross pursed his lips, then smiled. “Point taken. Nonetheless, let’s have fun tonight and not dwell on politics.”“Sure, no politics tonight!” Cameron nodded and raised his glass. “I’m delighted to see you after so many years. Here's to a pleasant visit in Hyderland!”“Thanks!” Ross looked at Alexander smilingly.The latter caught on and raised his glass. “To a pleasant visit! If you need anything, please tell me, and I’ll be at your service.”“I thank you in advance, then!” Ross smiled and downed his wine.From that moment, Cameron refrained from discussing Fred or the experiments. As if it was just a casual gathering, they only talked about recent amusing news, beautiful
“I know how you feel, but we can only trust Lily now.” Cameron sighed, “Oh, yes, I forgot to tell you something.”After a pause, he met Alexander’s puzzled gaze and said, “Rhea’s also at the embassy.”Alexander was only slightly surprised. “So she knows who’s behind the organization.”Nodding, Cameron asked, “What about your side? Did you find any evidence?”“Yes, but… I feel he has his reasons.” Alexander shook his head, feeling conflicted. On the one hand, he felt betrayed. On the other hand, he empathized with him to some extent.“That’s unlike you,” Cameron said, giving him a deep look.Alexander knew he was right. The former could be tough on others in the past, but not anymore. It wasn’t that he had become soft as he got older. Instead, his experience had changed how he thought about the matter.Having been worried about the twins and Lily lately, he knew how miserable it must be for the man. Alexander could guess why he did it.“Let me observe him for a while,” Alexander
After Fred gave the instruction, someone soon entered and took Rhea away. She looked at Lily tauntingly as she left.‘So childish!’ Fred scoffed. ‘Does she think she’s indispensable? Indeed, I need talents, but I’m not that desperate. Although R20 sounds interesting, that woman isn’t our only option.‘Also, we wanted to research mind control several times but failed. How would we know if she succeeded?’Fred looked at Lily sitting there meditatively. He wondered if she had accepted her fate or was planning something.Whatever it was, his men had searched her to ensure she would not have anything—not even the smallest tool—on her. He had also stopped giving her medicine to maintain her body's purity for the experiment's sake.After some thought, he got up and entered the elevator, pressing the button for B1.Reaching basement level one, he exited the elevator and took a winding path to the stairwell. He then went downstairs.Two floors down, he reached an ample space divided into
Fred left his underground laboratory and went upstairs to the queen’s bedroom. He pushed a food cart in, smiling, “Your Majesty, it’s time for dinner.”“Time for dinner or time for me to die?” The queen scoffed and turned her wheelchair around.“How could you say that? You’re going to live for a long time, okay?” With a smile, Fred uncovered the cloche. “These are all your favorite dishes.”The queen glanced at the food dismissively before asking, “Fred, be honest. What on earth are you up to?”“Your Majesty, I told you, but you didn’t believe me. I’m trying to help you lead Yudonia forever as our greatest queen,” he said, “Don’t let Lily fool you. She just wants to save herself.”“What if the experiment fails?” the queen asked, “You can’t guarantee it’ll succeed, can you?”“Hey, I’m sure it will. We’ve done many similar experiments before this. I’ll never put your life at risk.”The queen gazed at him but said nothing. Instead, she turned her wheelchair around and started to ea
The queen put down her utensils and stopped eating. She could not overeat at her age since her appetite was not as good as it used to be. She calmly looked over her shoulder at Fred, saying, “Then what do you think? What do you want him to do?”Fred burst into laughter. “My dear queen, Prince Ross isn’t a child. He wouldn’t do what I want, would he? Still, I’m confident he’s not on your side.”He spoke confidently, wagging his finger.The queen chuckled. “He’s my son. Shouldn’t he be on my side instead of yours?”“No, you’re wrong. You and I are on the same side, Your Majesty,” Fred said seriously.“Fred, are you joking?” The queen laughed. “It’s funny, I’ll give you that.”“Cut the act, my clever Queen. You know better than anyone that none of your sons wishes for your longevity. Who would want to remain a prince forever?“They’re eager to replace you as the head of Yudonia,” he said with conviction, “I’m the only one who wishes you to remain in power forever. I’m your closest