Chapter 38
Chapter 38
In one fluid motion, Lenore hopped onto her bed, zipped the curtains for some alone time, and settled cross–legged, her laptop balanced on her knees,
Lenore spent half an hour tweaking the model to perfection. Once she was satisfied, she labeled it, attached it to a document, and fired off an encrypted email. Her phone vibrated almost immediately with a message from Timothy Brooks,
her teammate.
Timothy: [Hey boss, are you back from your time in seclusion?]
Lenore had been hanging around Peacefield for two years, and she found the idea of her being in seclusion amusing. She texted back with a smirk. [Pass the model and files to Joshua. I’m expecting a progress report by month’s end.]
Timothy: [Month’s end? Might as well send him a box of cigars (co.]
Lenore: Just get it done, pronto.]
Timothy: [You’ve heard the buzz about 319 Biomedical Engineering, right?]
Lenore: [Yeah, I’ve heard.]
Timothy: [The news about the serum vessel got out, and now everyone in Orinadia is focused on the old program site. The Faulkner family head is practically invincible, and Pedro is being closely monitored.]
After a brief pause, Timothy continued. [The Faulkner family’s heir has been digging into this for a while. He’s dangerous. boss. You need to be careful and try to avoid him.]
But it was too late, they had already crossed paths. Lenore squinted, recalling Silas’s pinky ring. It looked like it was made from the same mysterious material as her bracelet. She wondered if it was just a ring or if it hid secrets like hers.
Meanwhile, in Block 3 of Area A in Regal Villas, Chuck answered a call and approached Silas with a grave expression. “Mr. Faulkner, I’ve just received word that the Stormwings Operatives have withdrawn.”
Wayne’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What do you mean they’ve withdrawn?”
Chuck frowned, confusion etched on his face. “Someone hired the Stormwings Operatives for an investigation. They sent their team in, but just half an hour ago, they suddenly recalled everyone for some unknown reason.”
The Stormwings Operatives were known for operating beyond national borders, holding many critical secrets. They worked for profit but never harmed anyone.
The real concern wasn’t Orinadia’s accident; it was the whole “senum vessel issue. The Stormwings Operatives didn’t usually make a move and then back off–it didn’t add up.
Silas’s brow furrowed in thought, his expression one of clear perplexity.
“Ensure Victor tracks global updates, with a close eye on Yalasburg,” he told Chuck, his voice low and firm. Yalasburg was where 319 Biomedical Engineering was founded.
Wayne, a mischievous glint in his eyes, chimed in, “Lloyd isn’t making any moves, and Xtreme is missing from Jinslenburg. Should I just head to Yalasburg myself?”
20:26 Wed, Feb 5
Chapter 38
2× × 53%.
“No need.” Silas shook his head, dismissing the suggestion. His fingers traced the rim of his glass as he continued to think.
After a sip of water, he calmly stated, “No need to rush. Let’s prioritize attending the Heartland Chamber of Commerce meeting in Senanville at the end of the month.”
“Heartland Chamber of Commerce meeting, really?” Wayne’s surprise was clear as day when he turned to Silas. “You couldn’t care less about Senanville’s meetings before. What’s the deal now?”
Silas’s eyes held a steely glint as he kept his voice even. “Claude reached out. Its elusive heir has shown up.”
With the break of day, a pesky drizzle started, the kind that was light but bothersome. The nip in the air had Lenore’s mood taking a dive.
Down by the dorm, Bonnie pressed a can of hot milk into Lenore’s hands, her forehead creasing with worry as she touched Lenore’s icy fingers. “You’re like ice. You good?”
Lenore jangled her bracelet on her left wrist, a grin spreading. “Got my lucky charm, so I’m golden.”
Spotting Bonnie’s face, all scrunched up with worry, Lenore gave her cheek a reassuring pinch. “Chill out. Need a refill on that milk? I could hook you up with a whole new batch.”
⚫ Bonnie shook her head and pouted. “Those milk boxes you got me six months ago are still here, unopened.”
Milk had been Bonnie’s favorite since childhood. After she woke from her long rest three years ago, Lenore began stocking up on it as if there were no tomorrow. Now, their dorm was piled high with milk boxes, and the Regal Villas were just as packed.
Exam day was here, and so was the school’s latest gossip. Bonnie hesitated before timidly asking, “Lenore, can you manage to avoid a big, fat zero this time?” In her view, Lenore was a star who shouldn’t be overshadowed by such trivialities.
Anticing the earnest glimmer in Bonnie’s eyes, Lenore’s brow lifted, and she gave a light laugh. “Sure thing, for you.”
AD
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