?Chapter 897:


    Despite growing up side by side, Katrina and Jules had always butted heads. Yet, on this point—the ipetence of the intelligence crew—they were in agreement. Jules understood just how narrowly they’d avoided disaster.


    “There’s no use ming those idiots now,” Jules said atst. “We’re in deep trouble, and it’s not something we can handle alone. Let’s report in and wait for further orders.”


    Atst, Katrina dropped the argument, agreeing with a nod.


    All around them, Elliana’s handiwork was clear. Figures dressed in ck struggled to their feet, their faces etched with pain.


    Intent on ending the fight quickly, Elliana hadn’t held back—every strike was ruthless, every blow left a mark. Not a single one of the ck-d figures had escaped without a break or bruise, and most were still cradling fractured bones from her relentless assault.


    Taking in the sight of her bruised and battered team, Katrina released a weary sigh before disappearing down the dim alleyway.


    Jules flicked his sleeves and fell in line behind her.


    Those ck-d figures, still nursing their injuries, melted back into the darkness.


    A heavy hush settled over the alley, swallowing any trace of the chaos.


    Meanwhile, Elliana sped away from danger with Cole clinging to her back, barely pausing as she abandoned the motorcycle at the curb and helped him into his own car.


    Every instinct screamed that the threat wasn’t over; she couldn’t risk running into another ambush. Without waiting, she mmed her foot on the gas and sped away.


    Cole, slumped in the passenger seat, gritted his teeth as pain wracked his body, his muffled groans barely audible.


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    Once they’d put enough distance between themselves and the alley, Elliana pulled the car to the side. She quickly checked his condition, then retrieved a pill from her bag and slipped it between his lips. From apact kit, she drew a collection of slender silver needles and began working them into precise points on his skin.<fn5f57> Official source is Find_Novel(.</fn5f57>


    Gradually, Cole’s body rxed, his agony easing as he loosened his grip on his head. Fatigue overtook him; the pain fading, he slumped into the seat, his breathing ragged.


    After a moment’s recovery, he managed to lift his heavy eyelids and focus on Elliana. “You know how to treat people?” His voice was barely above a whisper. “Tell me what just happened? Why did my head feel like it was about to split open?”


    There was no way Elliana could reveal the truth about Psychephrenia, not tonight. Anything that might stir up anxiety would only make things worse. Instead, she lifted her hand and gently closed his eyes with her fingers. “You’re just exhausted,” she said softly. “Try to rest.”


    Her touch, her voice—it was hypnotic. Cole’s eyelids grew heavy, and within moments, he drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.


    With him finally at rest, Elliana exhaled, gathering herposure before she started the engine and headed toward Rosewood Vi.


    The night had slipped away—any chance of apprehending Carlos was lost, and the assassins had melted into the darkness. Losing Carlos after all that effort hit harder than she expected. She had found him atst—only to watch him vanish. And those two assassins in ck? Gone, just as easily.


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