?Chapter 1607:
Ste’s deration drained Lance’s will to argue. He released a heavy sigh and extracted a document from the briefcase he’d brought. “I uncovered information on Arlo. His full name is Arlo White — former special forces who established a mercenary organization after his retirement. They specialize in providing what they call ‘special services.''”
Special services. Ste didn’t require rification to understand exactly what those entailed: assassination, sabotage, and any illegal activity wealthy clients would pay premium prices for. Arlo operated exclusively on foreign soil with zero domestic connections, which meant localw enforcement had no jurisdiction or motivation to pursue him internationally. Over time, he had grown increasingly brazen.
The realization darkened Ste’s expression. “The technology Arlo used to corrupt William’s memories — where did he acquire it?”
Lance pressed his lips into a grim line. “He almost certainly employed a team of specialized scientists and neuroscientists. I know it sounds like science fiction, but researchers abroad have been developing this technology for years.”
Ste’s breath caught. “Does that mean there’s a way to reverse what they did to William?”
Lance shook his head slowly. “Nothing’s certain yet. Before your memories returned, William’s behavior troubled me enough that I contacted associates abroad. They mentioned experimental drugs designed specifically for memory maniption.”
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Hope ignited behind Ste’s eyes. “Really?”
She had never imagined Lance had already been investigating potential solutions. Lance registered the hope flooding her features and hesitated, torn between crushing her optimism and allowing unrealistic expectations to take root.
“Ste, the technology remains highly unstable. My contact emphasized they would need William’s blood to synthesize any potential antidote — and even then, sess isn’t guaranteed.”
His blood. Ste’s expression copsed into something darker. Acquiring her own blood presented no difficulty, but obtaining William’s was another matter entirely. No viable method materialized in her mind.
Silence descended over the ward like a heavy shroud.
Lance tightened his grip on her hand. “Ste, please listen to me. You cannot remain beside William any longer. I understand you love him, but your safety has to take priority.”
Ste nodded faintly. “I understand your concern, but leaving isn’t an option. Lance, William is a victim in all of this. If I abandon him now, no one else will fight for his recovery.”
Lance opened his mouth to respond when Luca suddenly appeared in the doorway, holding his phone up for both of them to see. “Mr. Briggs is calling.”
Lance’s words died instantly. Silence reimed the room with suffocatingpleteness.
Luca epted the call smoothly, his tone perfectly natural. “Mr. Briggs, Ms. Russell is resting at the moment. The doctor prescribed three bags of IV fluids, which will likely continue into the afternoon… Understood. I’ll remain here.”
After hanging up, Luca’s expression turned grim. “Mr. Briggs said he’ll arrive this afternoon, Mr. Carter. You must leave now.” If Lance didn’t go, William would sense that something was wrong — it was even possible he already had, which might have been the real reason for the call.
Lance cast a reluctant nce at Ste, his jaw tightening. He knew, however, that this was not the moment to act on emotion. He slipped a hand into his pocket, took out a small device, and pressed it into Ste’s palm.
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