Mirabe paused for a moment, then said, "Next time, be a bit more careful. Some of those chemicals aren''t exactly friendly to your health."


    "Yeah, I know." Adler''s curiosity piqued as he nced back at the box. "What are you nning to do with that?"


    Mirabe reached over, picked up the box, and opened it, revealing a vial of pale blue liquid. She closed it swiftly. "Just a little research."


    Adler was a bit surprised. "I thought you avoided working with chemicals?"


    He remembered inviting her to theb ages ago, and she had been firm about steering clear of experimental substances.


    Mirabe''s gaze turned thoughtful, and she leaned back in her chair, her voice calm, "People''s interests can change over time."


    Adler sensed a hint of resignation in her tone and paused before asking, "Is something troubling you?"


    Mirabe absentmindedly traced the rim of her coffee cup with her finger. "Not really."


    "If you need any help, just say the word. No need to be shy," Adler offered after considering for a moment.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Actually, I do need something. Can I borrow yourb for a while?"


    "Sure thing. I''ll hand over my keys. I only use it for experiments, and it''s usually empty," Adler said, fishing out a set of keys from his pocket and handing them to her.


    Mirabe hesitated briefly before taking the keys. "But I''m not familiar with some of the equipment. You''ll have to show me the ropes."


    Adler was reminded of the first time she had borrowed hisb to make medicine. She had imed ignorance of the equipment, but after just one walkthrough, she had outpaced him in using it.


    That experience had left him both impressed and slightly intimidated by her quick learning.


    Adler nodded, feeling a mix of emotions.


    "How about this afternoon?" Mirabe suggested.


    Adler had nned to head back to the research institute, but her request made him reconsider. "Yeah, sure. That works."


    Helping her out was more important than any research he had lined up.


    After their meal arrived and they''d finished eating, Mirabe followed Adler to his privateb.


    Adler''sb wasn''t huge, and it didn''t have all the bells and whistles of a full-scaleb, but it had the essentials for chemical research.


    He walked her through most of the equipment, exining their use. Eventually, he was called back to the research institute by persistent phone calls from his colleagues.


    Once Adler left, Mirabe got to work, analyzing the solution.


    Under the microscope, the light blue liquid revealed its secrets-various activeponents, some beneficial, others harmful. While bnced within the vial, mixing it with blood could trigger significant changes.


    Mirabe watched as the data reacted to the introduction of her blood, her expression darkening.


    The idea of disrupting the body''s natural evolution to create an abnormal gic hybrid was unsettling.


    She spent the entire afternoon in theb, leaving only when the night crept in.


    **


    Meanwhile, across town, Grady wrapped up a meeting with his team. As everyone filtered out, As walked in, still looking worried.


    "Grady, there''s a group digging into us," As reported, sharing the intel from his team. "And it seems like they might be after Miss Mira."