Chapter 1991

Fiona's hands shook as she read the message.

"Ms. Fiona, I'll be heading out now." Esther's voice faded into the background. Fiona ignored her completely, clutching the embroidered pouch as she hurried off to find Jackson. He'd recognize it, she was sure.

It didn't take long for Fiona to reach the front steps of Woods Corporation's towering headquarters. No one tried to stop her anymore-those days were over.

“Fiona? What are you doing here right now?" Jackson sounded surprised but didn't look away. There was no need for secrets anymore. The trouble with the androids was behind them; now, all that was left was to deal with the team from Country M's research institute.

Inside Jackson's office, Fiona didn't waste a second. She took the crimson pouch from her bag and set it right in front of him.

"Jackson, take a look at this."

Jackson's expression changed the moment he saw the embroidered letters. His jaw tightened as he picked up the pouch. Of course he recognized it-this was about his parents. How could he not know?

"Where did you get this?" His voice was rough.

"They're at Country M's research lab," Fiona answered quietly. "Esther gave this to me. She said she stole it from there."

Jackson's face was a storm of emotions. Fiona gently pulled him aside and sat down with him, her voice calm and steady. “Jackson, we'll get them back. I promise."

There was a cold determination burning in her eyes, but her hand, wrapped around his, was warm and steady.

Jackson managed a small, grateful smile. “It's fine. It's been years-I get it." But his voice wavered.

Now, only one thing mattered: rescuing Jackson's parents. Fiona was ready to walk right into the lion's den. With the new partnership with Country M, she'd use the opportunity to go to their lab and finally find out where they were keeping them.

Meanwhile, Tyler had already made sure Esther was safe and hidden. The Country M team couldn't track her down. Normally, a traitor like Esther would have been hunted down without mercy, but this time, things were different-more complicated.

Even knowing Esther was probably with Fiona, the Country M people didn't dare make a move.

So Fiona arranged a meeting with them to negotiate face-to-face.

“Ms. Fiona, I'm afraid we can't agree to your terms,” said the new head of Country M's design team. Esther was gone, and now someone else was in charge.

They sat across from one another. Fiona didn't say a word, but her presence alone was enough to keep them on edge.

“Ms. Fiona, we came here to work together in good faith. We already had a deal. Isn't it a little unfair to back out now?"

Fiona shot her a cold, mocking look and actually laughed. "If you're going to make this difficult, then forget the contract. If you don't want to sign, that's your call."

She picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and looked at the woman with icy indifference. Then she stood to leave. Find the newest release on find{n}ovel.net

Before she could go, the woman rushed over and grabbed her arm, panic in her eyes. She clearly hadn't expected Fiona to actually walk out—this partnership was too important to lose over a few words.

"Ms. Fiona, let's not be hasty. No one's trying to pressure you. We all know what happened to Esther. Our companies are already set to work together. Please, just sign the contract."

Fiona almost laughed out loud. If Esther had been reckless, this woman was downright clueless.

"So you think you've got me cornered?" Fiona's voice was soft, but sharp as glass. She stopped, turned, and stepped right up to the woman, a dangerous smile on her lips. "If everyone from Country M is as stubborn as you, it's no wonder your days are numbered."