?Chapter 1114:


    Before anyone could react, he pulled something from his pocket. A secondter, smoke flooded the shop.


    Amid the chaos, Falcon slipped away into the thick haze, vanishing through the back of the flower shop.


    “After him!” Drake barked, rising to his feet. He and his men rushed out, chasing the direction Falcon had fled. Before he left, Drake cast a quick nce back at Ste and William, who still sat calmly amid the thinning smoke.


    Once the noise outside died down and the air began to clear, William walked over and helped Ste up from the sofa.


    “Drake will take care of Falcon for now,” he said quietly. “That means he won’t be making any moves against you anytime soon.”


    Ste nodded faintly. “Then there’s only Scorpion left.”


    That was her goal—to spark chaos within Erebus. If they kept fighting among themselves, they wouldn’t have the time or strength toe after her. Still, she let out a faint sigh.


    “I haven’t been able to crack the forms hidden in my mother’s ne,” she admitted.


    She had already found the matching card reader, but most of the data inside was packed with chemical and technical terms she barely understood.


    Drake had clearly ced too much faith in her. She hadn’t even grasped a third of her mother’s research, let alone continued it.


    If she wanted to take Erebus downpletely, she needed to unlock those forms. But right now, she was barely making progress.


    For the first time, Ste began to question herself—not her resolve, but whether she had the ability to finish what her mother had started.


    William sensed her unease and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, as if to steady her nerves. “I believe in you,” he said quietly. “Don’t pressure yourself too much. We still have time.”


    As long as that item didn’t end up in Erebus’s hands, there was nothing to fear.


    Ste exhaled softly. She had to admit, William always knew how to calm her with just a few words.


    The next day, she received a call from Professor Taylor, inviting her to an event hosted by their university. As one of the school’s outstanding graduates, it was natural for her to attend such asions. With no pressing ns, Ste agreed and went with William.


    The campus buzzed with warmth and familiarity. Ste greeted Professor Taylor and introduced William to him.


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    The professor extended a friendly hand. “Mr. Briggs, I’ve heard so much about you. Meeting you in person, I must say—you truly live up to your reputation.”


    William inclined slightly in greeting, his tone respectful. “Professor Taylor, the honor’s mine. I’ve read many of your studies. They’re profound—and inspiring for younger researchers like us.”


    As the two exchanged polite words, Ste looked around and asked quietly, “Where’s Jeff?”


    Professor Taylor followed her gaze. “He was just here. Not sure where he wandered off to. He’s made great progress in his researchtely—and that’srgely thanks to your guidance.”


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