Chapter 1987

Esther: "???"

Okay, that was dramatic.

But honestly? Esther decided to trust Fiona anyway, giving her a small smile. "Alright, I'll do what you say."

Once Esther left, Fiona glanced up, her sharp, bright eyes catching Tyler's. He looked like he was a million miles away.

"What's up? Something on your mind?"

Tyler shook his head, but then let out the thoughts he'd been holding in. "I just have a bad feeling about Esther."

"Go on," Fiona prompted.

"She was in such a rush to find us. That tells me Country M's probably decided to just let the whole chip- Esther situation play out. She came straight to us, told us everything. Honestly, from the very start, she's been the chip-Esther. But I don't think the real Esther is actually dead." The source of thɪs content is Fɪnd-Novel.net

"And there's something else," Tyler added after thinking for a bit. "Back on the island, Jane said Esther was arrogant and impossible—totally not the weak, helpless person we met today. If this really is the chip-Esther, she'd never act like that. When she was competing on the island, it was obvious she had serious connections. If she got replaced, it was probably because of her own choices."

Fiona listened quietly, feeling a flicker of pride. Tyler was definitely getting more observant.

That was progress.

She held up a worn little notebook. "So, do you think this list is real?"

"It's real," Tyler said without hesitation. "The chip-Esther's starting to think for herself, just like Amy did before."

"Good," Fiona said, a sly smile curving her lips. "Come with me to the Stonnell estate, then. There are a few people there who need to be put in their place."

Tyler didn't argue. They headed out together.

On the drive over, Tyler focused on the road, while Fiona settled back and quickly drifted off, exhaustion catching up with her.

They both knew what chip-Esther was really after: first, get rid of the real Esther; then, take out the research team from Country M. Only then could she break free from their grip and finally get some peace—maybe even buy herself a little more time.

As for why Fiona agreed to work with her? Honestly, it just gave her a solid excuse to pay a visit to the Country M research lab when the time was right.

Maybe it was all the sleepless nights catching up to her, but Fiona was out cold the moment she got in the car, only waking up when they pulled up to the Stonnell estate.

From a distance, the Stonnell family's staff spotted their familiar car rolling up. The guards at the gate felt their hearts skip.

The queen of trouble herself was here.

Now what?

One of the guards bolted inside to warn the others. Nobody in their right mind would dare stand in Fiona's way.

The car stopped at the estate's front gates. Fiona slowly woke up, blinking herself back to life, looking like she'd just had the coziest nap ever.

"That was fast," she mumbled, her voice soft and a little raspy. She glanced down and noticed a jacket draped over her—when had Tyler done that?

"Keep it on," Tyler said. "No point in getting blood on your clothes."

They got out and walked straight into the estate. Not a single person dared to block their path.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Fiona," someone called out.

She turned, sizing up the stranger. Definitely a new face.

"You just started here?" she asked.

"Yes, Ms. Fiona."

"Then how do you already know who I am?"

"We all get special training when we join," he replied.

Training? Not bad.

Looked like the Stonnell family was finally starting to listen.

"So why are you all just standing there? Get back to work!"

Suddenly, an annoying, out-of-place voice broke the moment. Fiona's brow furrowed, irritation flickering in her eyes.