The lab was cold, clinical, and filled with the faint scent of herbs and chemicals.
Several researchers moved about quietly, peering through microscopes, scribbling notes, analyzing data on computers.
The Jade Jeevak sample sat in the center of the room inside a sealed glass container.
Aurora walked over to it, her gaze cold and calculating.
"Show me the breakdown," she ordered.
The elderly scientist quickly spread the contents of the folder on a nearby table.
Chemical compositions, molecular structures, reaction charts—all meticulously documented.
Aurora scanned through them swiftly.
"The base strain mutates when introduced to synthetic stabilizers," the scientist explained, pointing to the charts.
"It becomes highly unstable and toxic after bonding."
Aurora’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The Jade Jeevak was pure and extremely sensitive.
It reacted violently to artificial compounds, something they should have accounted for earlier.
She tapped her finger against the table thoughtfully.
"Use a natural stabilizer," she said.
"Try binding it with a catalyst extracted from blue lotus root. It has similar neurogenic properties but a much more stable chemical behavior."
The scientist’s eyes widened in realization.
"Of course...! That could work! Thank you, Boss!"
He quickly scrambled to relay instructions to his team.
Aurora turned and made her way back toward the door, her mind already shifting gears.
This was only one small hurdle.
"Make a call to me if you stumble upon any other issues. As for now, Professor Martin, I have a different task for you," she said.
"I need you to examine this blood sample for me."
Earlier, when the other researchers were busy, she had secretly taken her own blood into a vial.
"I want the results as soon as possible. Try every angle of it," she added.
Although she had already checked the preliminary blood report, the final and more detailed evaluation was still required.
Martin was the most senior researcher in her group, and she trusted him with the critical research and evaluations.
"Sure, Boss," said Martin, taking the vial from her hand.
Aurora nodded and said, "Professor Martin, how many times do I need to tell you that you can call me by my name?"
To that, Martin replied, "Well, you never called me Grandpa, did you?" and with that, he pouted.
Professor Martin had been one of Luna’s mentors when she was a child, closely tied to Leonardo’s circle of trusted friends.
He fondly remembered the moment when little Luna had come to him, her clear, bright eyes full of determination as she asked him to teach her.
He had been drawn to her instantly.
Something about her eyes and stance reminded him of someone very dear to him.
He had always liked Luna — her intelligence, her spirit, her quiet strength.
"After she completed her studies, Professor Martin, wanting to stay close to her, formed a research group to work with her.
One of Luna’s weaknesses is her obsession with machines and research. She can continue working for days without even sleeping a wink."
Aurora, with quite a smirk, said, "I don’t want to have a grandpa," and to that, Professor Martin huffed in annoyance.
Without waiting for another word, she turned around, waving a casual backward bye to him as she walked away.
"Professor Martin looked at her silhouette and sighed. She was so much like her, he thought — the attitude, the way she talked, the sharp intelligence. It was good to see her back."
As she stepped out into the hallway again, Jack, now standing awkwardly with his head lowered like a scolded child, peeked up at her with hopeful eyes.
Aurora gave him a brief glance, and for a second—a very brief second—the corner of her lips twitched almost into a smirk.
But she quickly smoothed her expression back to cold indifference.
"Stop fooling around," she said sharply.
"We have a lot of work to do."
Jack straightened up immediately, giving a stiff salute.
Aurora shook her head slightly as she walked past him.
Some things, it seemed, never changed.
Bishop was still waiting outside, arms folded, a cigarette dangling from his lips but unlit.
As soon as he saw her, he tossed it away and opened the car door.
Aurora got in without a word.
The engine roared to life as Bishop pulled them away from the villa, disappearing into the thick embrace of the forest.
On the other side, Veronica was passively getting ready for her dinner date with Alexander. She was elated, her heart light with excitement.
Did he plan a surprise for me? she thought, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. Earlier, her mood had been soured despite her mother’s reassuring words.
A gnawing gut feeling had whispered that Alexander might have been saving Aurora, not her. But now, seeing his message and thinking about the invitation, she convinced herself she had been overthinking. He must have been planning something special for me all along.
With that comforting thought, she carefully picked out a soft, elegant dress, smoothing it over her figure with care.
She placed on light makeup, just enough to highlight her delicate features. Standing in front of the mirror, she gave a joyful twirl, watching the fabric swirl around her like petals.
A shy, hopeful smile bloomed on her face as she imagined how Alexander would look at her tonight.
She excitedly went down the stairs, her heart fluttering with anticipation. As she reached the bottom, she spotted her mother standing by the hallway, speaking in a hushed tone to someone on the phone.
Veronica slowed her steps, curiosity prickling at her senses. When she got closer, she caught a few words—Yeah, I took care of her as you said... Lily whispered urgently.
"Mom," Veronica called out. Startled, Lily jumped and quickly disconnected the call, her fingers fumbling slightly.
"Ver... how come you’re here?" Lily stammered, but she quickly masked her panic with a smile, smoothing her dress as she turned to her daughter.
"Ver... you look so pretty, are you going somewhere?" Though Veronica felt a strange but she didn’t want to dwell on it.
She tucked the feeling away and smiled shyly, clutching her purse. "Mom, I’m going on a date with Alexander," she said, her voice soft with excitement.
"Well, off you go then," Lily said casually, waving her daughter goodbye. But the moment Veronica turned away, a cold sweat trickled down Lily’s brow, and her hands trembled slightly at her sides.
Veronica, oblivious on the surface, made her way to the driveway where the family driver was already waiting.
She happily hopped into the car, flashing a bright smile.
Yet the second the door closed and the car pulled away from the house, Veronica’s smile dropped, replaced by a grim and thoughtful look.
Her mind spun with unease. Who was Mom talking to? She couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was wrong.
It wasn’t the first time either. When she was younger, she had often caught glimpses of her mother speaking in hushed tones to someone over the phone, obeying instructions that she didn’t explain.
Who were those people?And what exactly was Lily doing behind the scenes?