<b>Chapter </b><b>235 </b>
With the Doberman’s guidance, I made my way to Zachie’s room.” The dog proved invaluable, subtly nudging my leg whenever we approached obstacles<b>, </b>helping me adjust my path. I had Zach perform simple tricks to entertain Zachie, finding unexpected peace in the quietpanionship of the two animals.
Late afternoon sunlight warmed my skin through the windows when I heard the front door open. The footsteps that followed were hurried–not the usual measured stride I associated with this person<b>, </b>but quick and urgent even against the plush carpeting. Still<b>, </b>I recognized them immediately.
“Ethan?” I called out.
The footsteps slowed, then approached. I felt him crouch before me, his breathing controlled but quick. “How did you know it was me?” he asked softly, his voice tight with concern.
“Where are the materials?” I asked instead of answering.
Another set of footsteps approached–Connor’s–and I heard him set down a bag beside me.
“God, I hope this works,” Connor said anxiously. “I can’t imagine what would happen if my idol lost her eyesight permanently. A top–tier hacker going blind is like a soldier losing his gun or a chef losing his pots–it’s career- ending<b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>I </b>reached for the bag<b>, </b>carefully opening it and inhaling deeply. The distinctive scents of thepounds confirmed they were exactly what I needed–Walter Morrison hade through.
“Is anything missing?” Ethan asked, his voice closer now.
My lips curved into a slight smile. “We’ll need to test the form’s effectiveness on a human subject.”
“I’ll do it,” Ethan volunteered immediately.
Connor gasped. “Wait, what? Human testing?”
I turned toward Connor’s voice. “We need someone to verify these drugs work correctly. You seem like the perfect
volunteer.”
“Me?” His voice jumped an octave. “I don’t–I mean, I’ve never–what exactly will it do?”
“Don’t worry,” I said reassuringly. “It probably won’t kill you. Probably.”
I could practically hear Connor’s face draining of color as his breathing quickened with panic. Ethan remained silent -he’d caught on to my game.
The moment was interrupted by the front door opening again. Lawrence’s confident footsteps clicked against the marble entryway.
“<b>I </b>see your friends have arrived,” Lawrence observed as he entered the room.
A tense silence followed–the weighted quiet of two men sizing each other up–before I heard them exchange
handshakes.
“Lawrence Linden.”
“Ethan Haxton.”
Lawrence approached, and I sensed him reaching toward myp–where the cat had apparently returned without my noticing.
I handed the cat back to Lawrence. “No boundaries,” I remarked dryly.
I could hear the amusement in Lawrence’s voice as he took the cat. “Have the materials arrived? How long until we see those eyes working again? I’m quite looking forward to it.”
“The poison isn’t difficult to neutralize,” I answered. “But it will take time.”
“Not difficult?” Connor’s voice brightened with hope. “You know how to fix it? Wait–what happened to the human experiment you mentioned?”
I smiled in his direction. “You all sounded so stressed after your journey. Just a little joke to help you rx.”
“A… joke?” Connor’s voice cracked with disbelief. I heard him take several quick steps, followed by what sounded like hands pping against his face. “To help us rx?!”
There was a thud–probably Connor dramatically dropping into a chair.
“I was writing my will in my head!” he eximed. “I was literally deciding who gets my gaming PC and who has to delete my browser history!”
Ethan’s low, rich chuckle filled the room, followed by Connor’s reluctant snort that gradually evolved into genuineughter.
“Fine,” Connor conceded, his voice still carrying traces of indignation despite his amusement. “I guess if I’m going to die for someone’s amusement, it might as well be the legendary X’s.”
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