?Chapter 900:


    A flicker danced in Wesley’s eyes, and a small smile edged onto his face. “Alright. I’m listening.”


    Hope flickered beneath his calm as he sat across from Elena, eyes fixed, tracking every subtle shift in her face. He surmised maybe she’de around. Maybe she finally realized being with him wasn’t such a terrible idea.


    Elena lowered her gaze for a brief second, unaware that he’dpletely misread the situation.


    “I want you toe with me,” she said inly. “To the military research facility.” Her tone didn’t waver, and she held his gaze without flinching, waiting for his answer.


    At first, the only reason she’d pursued the facility was to dig up any lead she could on her missing mentor. But that goal had evolved. Now, it was about fortifying Houis’s defenses because strength on paper wasn’t enough. Real power meant survival. Earle’s weapons had turned a peaceful ind into a ughterhouse. The bloodshed came from unchecked firepower. She wasn’t going to let history repeat itself.


    Every word came from a ce of conviction. But whatever Wesley had expected, this wasn’t it. His smile vanished in a blink. A shadow passed over his face. “That’s it? That’s what you wanted to talk about?”


    “What else would it be?” Elena asked, unfazed.


    His mouth twitched, but the warmth was gone. “Alright then,” he said, voice low. “If that’s what you want, I’ll go.”


    Elena gave a slight nod. “I’ll swing by home first to talk to my family. Once that’s done, we can start prepping to set off to the Azure Dragon Unit Base.” She figured this assignment would keep her stationed there for a while. Her family needed to hear that from her directly—they’d worry if she disappeared without warning.


    Once breakfast wrapped up, Wesley insisted on driving her home.


    When the car stopped in front of the Harper estate, the clock struck eleven. Elena expected a quiet home with just her mother. But as she climbed the stairs, a door creaked open—Jeffry stepped out of the study. She paused, caught off guard.


    “Jeffry? Thought you were at the office.”


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    His steps halted as he nced up at her.


    She took a closer look, and her expression tightened with concern.


    Jeffry was the type who always looked like he belonged on a boardroom stage—tailored suits, crisp shirts, not a thread out of ce. But what she saw now was a man she barely recognized. His eyes were red and lined with veins. Dark stubble shadowed his jaw, and his normally tidy hair hung limp and disheveled. The space around him felt eerily vacant, like something essential had been drained from it.


    She frowned slightly. Was this really the brother she’d always admired? Her voice lowered with hesitation. “What happened to you?”


    He didn’t meet her eyes. “It’s nothing,” he muttered. “I just need a shower. I’ll head out in a bit.”


    He pivoted, eager to end the conversation.


    “Jeffry,” she called out gently, her worry slipping into her tone. “You…”


    She wanted to ask if he’d run into Lydiately. But then again, what was the use in dragging that up? He was married now. Whatever existed between him and Lydia hade to an end.


    Elena stood still for a second before choosing different words. “I’m heading out of town for a bit. Just tell Mom and Dad not to stress about it. I’lle back once things are sorted out.”


    Jeffry’s expression tightened. “Where exactly are you going?”


    Of course he’d be concerned. That was just in his nature as her big brother. Elena hesitated for a beat, but there wasn’t any point in keeping it from him. “To the research facility at the Azure Dragon Unit Base.”


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