Chapter 143 A Dangerous Bargain


    Lucas didn’t respond to the man’s words. His gaze remained icy, sharp as a de gliding across the frozen surface of ake.


    Unbothered by the cold reception, the man turned toward Theresa with a casual smile. “And who might this youngdy be? I don’t believe we’ve met.”


    “She’s my guest,” Lucas replied coolly, offering no further exnation. Without another nce, he led Theresa straight into the vi.


    As they brushed past him, the man, Larry, allowed the mild-mannered smile to slip from his face. In its ce, a flicker of malice surfaced, dark and unhidden.


    Now that Evoloid was in his hands, he was eager to see how long Lucas could keep up that calm, self- assured facade.


    Theresa had caught that change in his eyes. As she followed Lucas inside, she lowered her voice and asked, “That guy… is he Monica’s father?”


    “Yes,” Lucas answered.


    “What’s he doing here?”


    “I was just about to tell you.” He came to an abrupt stop. “Our camp has developed a new evolution serum -it enhances the abilities of powered individuals.”


    Before she could respond, a loud and indignant voice rang out from the living room ahead.


    “Where are my cookies?!”


    “Who stole my cookies?!”


    Lucas froze, a grim look shing across his face. “Ms. Hall, maybe we should eat first.”


    No sooner had he spoken than a voice thundered from behind.


    “Lucas! Did you steal my cookies?!”


    He stood there, motionless.


    Theresa turned her head to see an old man stomping out of the living room. His graying hair was neatlybed, but the fierce vitality in his eyes betrayed the lines etched deep across his face. Slippers pped against the tile as he advanced, clearly fuming.


    “I knew it was you!”


    “Grandpa,” Lucas said stiffly, “I have a guest.”


    Only then did the old man seem to notice Theresa. The fury in his expression vanished at once, reced by a dignified calm.


    “Lucas, and this is…?”


    “She’s Theresa,” Lucas said.


    Recognition lit the old man’s face. “So you’re the Theresa!” he eximed. “Lucas’ grandfather, at your service. I can’t thank you enough for saving my grandson-not just once, but more than once.”


    Theresa nced at Lucas, who gave her a small, subtle nod.


    She smiled politely. “It was nothing. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Old Mr. Keaton. I hope I’m not intruding.”


    “Not at all, not at all,” he said warmly, ncing around for a ce to sit. “Come, have a seat. Lucas, go fetch that box of special cookies I set aside for guests. And-wait, where did my cookies go?”


    Lucas quickly shook his head at Theresa behind his grandfather’s back, silently pleading with her not to say a word. She gave him a quick, amused smile.


    “Old Mr. Keaton, don’t worry. I don’t eat cookies,” she said gently.


    “Well then, how about some tea? Lucas, bring out my finest blend and make a pot for our guest.”


    “Yes,” Lucas answered without protest.


    Theresa followed the old man to the couch. As she settled in, her gaze drifted to the coffee table-and to the shattered ss vial lying atop it.


    “What’s that?” she asked.


    “Don’t touch it,” the old man warned. “That thing’s contaminated.” He raised his voice. “Lucas! Lucas! Come wipe down the table!”


    Lucas sighed and reappeared with the tea, cing a delicate cup in front of Theresa before setting to work cleaning the cloudy liquid and shards of ss.


    “That b*stard Larry ispletely unhinged,” the old man muttered. “Substances this unstable should never be tested on people.”


    Just then, Lucas’ earpiece crackled to life. He listened for a moment, and his expression darkened. “Grandpa, Larry’s been secretly recruiting powered individuals and handing out Evoloid for free. He’s trying to start a war.”


    The old man’s face turned a deep shade of red. “That son of a b*tch! Does he have no regard for human life?!”


    Theresa looked up at him calmly. “Old Mr. Keaton, why does he still have authority? Why do you all keep letting him get away with this?”


    He exchanged a nce with Lucas, then let out a long, heavy sigh. “Looks like my grandson told you more than I thought.”


    “Grandpa, I didn’t—”


    “It’s alright. She’s saved your life more than once. She has the right to know,” he said, turning back to Theresa. “You were involved in the research facility project, so I’m sure you already know what Larry brought back with him.”


    She nodded.


    “Lucas brought back the physical samples, but only Larry’s team had the tools to decode the data. Recently, they seeded in extracting Evoloid from zombie gleamstones.”


    He gestured to the broken vial on the table. That’s the serum. It strengthens those with abilities. We haven’t been turning a blind eye to his actions-the truth is, this serum is simply too valuable.”


    Unlike Larry, Lucas’ grandfather wasn’t motivated by pride or ambition. What mattered to him was the future of mankind-preserving what was left of civilization, fortifying the camp, ensuring survival. If that meant allowing Larry to hold on to power, then so be it.


    Even after learning that Monica had once tried to hurt Lucas, he’d chosen to let Larry keep his position. The man had resources, and they still needed to study the virus.