After catching her breath, she ducked inside.


    Though it had been a long time, Elsie navigated the familiar passages with ease until she reached Avery''s room. The keypad lock still had backup power. She entered the password-Evadne''s birthday and pushed the door open. Avery''s prideful, self-proimed devotion seemed so pathetic, hateful, andughable to


    her now.


    Taking a deep breath, Elsie began to search the room methodically. Through years of observation, she knew Avery had built several hiddenpartments to store important documents. If he and Harvey hadn''t revealed them, it was unlikely the police would have found them all.


    After some time, with sweat beading on her forehead, she discovered a hiddenpartment beneath a floor-standing sculpture. She lifted the tile and her eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat.


    Inside was a waterproof stic bag containing a file and a USB drive.


    Elsie quickly pulled out the file. It was the research report from RC in Country M on the live human drug trials-the very experiment that had shocked the nation, co-conspired by Avery and "Sir." The RC official seal was stamped on the document. This was irrefutable, damning evidence that would expose RC''s inhumane and depraved crimes.


    Her hands trembled as she clutched the report. Avery had fled in such a hurry that he hadn''t had time to clean up. She had always suspected he''d left something important behind, and she had been right.


    "Avery, so much for your so-called loyalty to ''Sir''," she muttered. In the end, he had kept an escape n for himself. This proved that RC was connected to "Sir." And "Sir," it seemed increasingly likely, was Chad.


    Her heart pounded with excitement. Without aputer, she would have to wait to see what was on the USB drive, but she was sure it would be explosive.


    Elsie rolled up the file, tucked it inside her clothes, and quickly left the room.


    She hadn''t gone far when her body froze. Standing in the distance was a tall, sharp figure, exuding a familiar, chilling presence.


    Her heart hammered against her ribs. She turned off her shlight and began to back away slowly.


    For every step she took back, the man took one forward. His sharp, hawk-like eyes and cold, handsome face slowly came into focus.


    "Hans..."


    Elsie''s heart leaped into her throat. An icy, murderous aura enveloped her. She felt as if she were facing not a man, but a demon from hell She knew this was no coincidence. There was only one exnation: Hans and Alexia were both Chad''s people. And she had likely been in their sights ever since she had seen them at the orphanage.


    "Ms. Archer, we meet again," Hans said, his voice t as he looked at her pale


    face. "You''ve changed. I almost didn''t recognize you. The new face is nice."


    "I haven''t changed. I''ve finally


    be myself," Elsie retorted, her hands trembling as she tightened her grip. Every nerve in her body was on high alert. "Did your ''Sir'' send you?"


    The man remained silent.


    "What are you going to do? Kill me?" Elsie tried to keep her voice steady, but the tremor betrayed her fear.


    "If youe with me quietly, I probably won''t have to." Hans was now only a few feet away, his tone casual. "Otherwise, The Velvet Haven will be your grave tonight."


    "Tsk... everyone dies eventually." A bitterugh escaped Elsie''s lips. the same motion she drew a dagger from her waist and lunged, aiming for Hans''s chest. "But I will not die here!"