"Nothing else besides time is needed." Austin shook his head. "He didn't say anything important. Perhaps because we were under surveillance.""He already told us what we needed to know," Alexander said solemnly. Austin and Mike were puzzled. They asked simultaneously, “He did?”"What we can't do, others can do for us. Who do you think Dom's talking about?" Alexander asked. Puzzled, the other two shared a look and shook their heads."Why did he stress it was beyond us when we already knew it had something to do with the embassy?" Alexander asked. The other two shook their heads again. "Because Dominic discovered something important.""What was it?" Mike and Austin said while sharing a look, surprised to have asked the same thing."Dominic has found out that the real mastermind isn't the embassy or Fred but Queen Yasmin." "But we know that." Austin was puzzled."Dominic probably didn't know that we do. Since Queen Yasmin has taken control of everything, he knows there's n
“Queen Yasmin wants to make Fred the guinea pig?" Austin shook his head. "That's unlikely. I have some knowledge of R10 after working in the lab. They haven't tested the experiment yet because the requirements for the vessels are stringent."It was not easy to find two compatible bodies. Just like in organ transplants, a match in the bodies’ conditions was crucial. Even then, there could still be various reactions, like rejection and so on.Even if that was the queen's intention, she still needed a suitable vessel for Fred. "Do you think there isn't one for him?" Alexander asked. Austin and Mike were puzzled. "Fred must’ve found a vessel," Alexander said confidently, "If he hasn't, why would he want Queen Yasmin to test the experiment for him? Why wouldn't he secure a vessel if that was his plan all along?"The other two caught on. After some thought, Mike asked, "So now that the queen has taken control of everything, she wants him to undergo the experiment first to make fur
Austin thought it was pretty unlikely. "I also hope the info is false, but…"Still, if the information were not accurate, Alexander would not have told Mike about it. "So that's why Fred always refused to free my son? They never planned to, huh? All the talk about needing my funds was just a lie!" Mike paled. Although he sounded calm, his voice was shaky.Even Austin, who had no children, knew how miserable Mike must be feeling as a father. The former felt terrible when he witnessed the virus torment Dominic and his family, not to mention Mike’s son was just a child.Austin slammed the table and roared, "Those sick bastards!""So that’s why Lily’s safe for now, but Nicky is running out of time?" Mike thought he could remain calm after what he had been through, but he simply could not. "That’s correct," Alexander said, knowing Mike had to face the truth. Initially, he did not want to admit Lily’s terrible fate, but he still had to. It was Mike’s turn this time.Alexander cont
Mike said through gritted teeth, “But it’ll be too late when the experiment begins." The thought of his son lying on the cold operating table was too much for him to bear. He could not let such a horrible thing happen to Nick.‘Nicky has been in the embassy’s hands for so long, and now this. He probably doesn’t even know what dangers he’s facing.’"Can you rescue your son if you force your way into the embassy now?" Alexander asked. Mike's eyes were bloodshot. "I don’t fucking care. I still have to try even if they kill me!" "Okay, go ahead!" Alexander slammed the table and shouted at Austin, "Let him go!""Take it easy, Alex." Austin was shocked. He was also overwhelmed, having to stop Mike and calm Alexander down simultaneously."If he wants to go, let him!" Alexander looked at Mike and said, "I've said what’s necessary. I’m not stopping him if he insists. We saw how tight the security was in the embassy, not to mention Fred and Queen Yasmin’s hidden weapons. Let's see if h
The dim and damp basement had a musty smell as it received no sunlight. Suddenly, the door opened, followed by the sound of a moving wheelchair. Hearing it, the man inside looked up. "Your Majesty, you came to see me."He let out a stiff smile. Once esteemed by all, the duke was now a prisoner. Yasmin stopped her wheelchair and quietly looked at the man who had served her for decades. She asked blandly, “Fred, do you regret it?”"Regret? Do I regret not starting the experiment earlier? Regret not realizing that you were on to me right from the start?" Fred chuckled. "I lost. What's the point of being regretful?"Yasmin fell silent for a moment before saying, "So you don't regret betraying me?"She thought he would reflect upon his actions, but it did not seem so. Sitting up, Fred habitually smoothed his shirt despite looking unkempt. "My dear queen, why would I do that? I never betrayed you.""You never betrayed me?" Yasmin could not believe he would dare to say such a thing.
"Since you're so loyal, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself," Yasmin said with a gentle sigh. "By becoming a guinea pig?" Fred raised his brow, knowing what she was going to say. "Sure. It's not like I can say no.""Do you have any other requests?"Since Fred had served her for so many years, Yasmin wanted to fulfill any reasonable requests he might have. Fred shook his head. "You know I have no one. My wife left me long ago, and my children have followed her to another country. I've devoted my whole life to serving you, Your Majesty. I don't have any requests to make now. Oh, yes. If—”After a pause, he said, "If the experiment works and I manage to live on through the boy, I hope you'll give me the chance to serve you again."His request reignited Yasmin’s desire for the experiment and continuation of life to succeed. Over the last two days, she kept thinking about what Dominic said. She remembered her life when she was young, when Ross was still little, and when her h
‘He always has a retort for everything,’ Yasmin thought. Fred shook his head. "I was just trying to look after you, Your Majesty. I told you Hylanders are cunning and untrustworthy. They must be trying to persuade you to give up the experiment, but you can't fall for it."Remember why we’ve researched the experiment for so long. If you give up now, all our efforts will go to waste!" Fred spread his arms and spoke emotionally, “That’s what they want. However, we can rule the world with immortality if the experiment succeeds.“It’ll threaten everyone, including the Hylanders. That’s why they don’t want us to succeed. Perhaps…” Fred paused and then said slyly, “Perhaps they’re conducting a similar research in secret!”"Is that possible?" Yasmin asked, alarmed. "Of course! You know Rhea…" Fred caught himself. "Oh, yes, what happened to—""She's conducting experiments now," Yasmin answered. Taken aback, Fred caught on and laughed. "See? She doesn't care who she works for as long a
Rick had been waiting outside while Yasmin talked to Fred. The former lowered his gaze and went over to help Yasmin push her wheelchair. The queen remained silent until they entered the elevator.Rick muttered, “Prince Ross wishes to see you, Your Majesty.”She rolled her eyes and sighed. Rick knew what she meant and stopped telling her about it.As Yasmin gazed at the elevator’s floor indicator above, she suddenly said, “Okay.”"Your Majesty?""Bring him to see me." The elevator opened, and she wheeled herself out of the elevator. Rick gathered his thoughts and pressed a floor button. A while later, he brought Ross to the queen's room. Rick then gently knocked on it and found that it was unlocked. "Let him in," Yasmin's impassive voice came from inside. Rick made way for the prince and saluted him. Ross marched in anxiously. "Mom…""Where are your manners?!" She raised her voice solemnly.Hesitating for a moment, the prince knelt on one knee and bowed. "Greetings, Your
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