?Chapter 423:


    “I’m in,” Elliana told Carlos, her voice steady. “But don’t forget what you promised me. If I get you that manuscript, you owe me the truth about my mother. If you go back on your word, I’ll burn it.”


    Carlos didn’t hesitate. “You have my word, Miss Marsh. We don’t intend to hurt you. Our interest is only in ‘The Medical Codex.''”


    “How do I reach you from here on out?” Elliana asked. She’d already figured out the number Carlos was using was just a throwaway, one that would vanish the moment their chat ended.


    A sly grin appeared as Carlos revealed a username on the dark web. “Contact me through that. Add me as a friend and message me whenever you need. I’ll be waiting for you there.”


    Elliana wasn’t new to the world Carlos was referring to. Without wasting a second, she logged into her ount and sent Carlos a friend request.


    As soon as Carlos epted her friend request, he wasted no time and ended the call. Momentster, he messaged her on the dark web. “Miss Marsh, I look forward to working with you.”


    Elliana couldn’t help but let out a small, wry smile, choosing not to reply. Something in her gut warned her that Carlos’s intentions were far from innocent, and she doubted he wanted “The Medical Codex” for any reason that would benefit others. She wondered what secrets woulde to light once she got her hands on “The Medical Codex” and started digging into Carlos’s true motives.


    After logging off the dark web, Elliana sat quietly, taking stock of her next moves. At the top of her mind was the link between Cole and Victor. But the problem was, the Evans Group’s internal systems were fiercely guarded by Jody, and breaking into Cole’s private records had always been a losing battle. Still, today felt like the right time to make another attempt.


    Elliana had been suspecting that Jody might actually be Lance, and this was her chance to find out. That thought sent her straight to the Evans Group headquarters.


    Upon arriving, instead of looking for Cole, she made a beeline for the R&D Department, determined to track down Lance.


    Lance’s face lit up with genuine surprise when he saw her. “Elliana? What brings you here today?”


    ga????ν??????.k??n – ???????? ???????????? ???????? ????


    To dispel Lance’s doubts, Elliana decided to sweeten the deal. “I’ve been thinking it over, and I figured taking you in isn’t such a bad idea…”


    Upon hearing Elliana’s words, Lance widened his eyes, wondering if he had heard her right. River, his idol, was really going to take him in as a protégé? He was buzzing with excitement. “Wait—are you serious? You’re not pulling my leg, right?”


    Elliana deliberately schooled her expression into a stern frown. “What, you’re not interested? Fine. If you’re not up for it, forget it.” She spun around and made a move to head for the door.


    Lance panicked and rushed after her. “No, no, no! I’m in! A thousand times yes! I’m just stunned and find it hard to believe it.”


    Elliana smirked, continuing to bait him. “Well, I’ve thought it over. Your talent might be a bitcking, but since we’re family now, it’s only fair I look out for you.”


    “Yes, exactly!” Lance nodded vigorously. “You’re wise and thoughtful. Honestly, you’re one in a million.”


    .


    .


    .