Chapter 1168

On the way to Sanctum Holdings, Juniper received a secret report from an Sigma Network operative: "The Boss just had a minor tantrum and went back to his room with a glass of water."

"Hmph," Juniper smirked, a soft laugh dancing in her eyes. Just as she thought. The man wasn't going to sit still without a threat.

"Ms. Payne..." the operative stammered, pausing for a few agonizing seconds. "The Boss looks incredibly pissed off. When this is over, please, you have to protect us."

They were Sigma Network elites, yet they were following her orders to basically place their own Boss under house arrest. It was absolute treason!

"What are you worried about?" Juniper said lazily, twirling her phone. "As long as I'm around, he won't touch a single hair on your heads! Just take 'good care' of him!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Having clearly figured out who held the real power in the relationship, the operatives responded with booming enthusiasm.

***

Before long, Juniper arrived at Wraithfall Mountain, accompanied by Ebony Fox, Luella, Felton, and Flint.

"You're here," Corvus noted, looking slightly eager. "Dr. Nocturne and Dr. Sommers informed me that the Gene Modification Project is in its final phase. Barring any accidents, we should have results by tomorrow."

"That fast?" Juniper raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

"We owe much of it to the assistance from Subterra Vanguard," Corvus replied, his eyes narrowing as a sinister smirk touched his face.

"I hear you've hidden Silas Blackwood away," Juniper said casually, leaning against the railing and observing the massive laboratory below.

Hundreds of computers were running simultaneously. Brilliant geneticists from around the world scrambled across the floor. Tragic, half-dead 'test subjects' were being continuously dragged out of the sterile rooms.

"How do you know that?" Corvus shot her a sharp, guarded look.

"Because he's nowhere to be seen in the lab, and Dr. Sommers looks absolutely miserable." Juniper didn't flinch, meeting his scrutinizing stare head-on. She smiled. "I passed by his room earlier. It was empty, and all the medical equipment had been cleared out."

"At the most critical juncture of the research, I doubt you're simply giving him a change of scenery," she effortlessly She tilted her head. "There's only one

continued, sloug

explanation. You were afraid Dr.

Sommers might act out, so you

locked him up."

"Worthy of the name Specter. A flawless deduction," Corvus praised, a hint of genuine admiration flashing in his dark eyes.

"Good to know," Juniper said, shifting her gaze back to the lab, where 'Dr. Nocturne' and Dr. Sommers were conversing.

"Any word on the test subject?" Corvus asked, his aura dropping into something much more dangerous.

"Yes." Juniper popped a lollipop into her mouth, her voice lazy. "We've got a lead. The subject will be delivered to you within two days."

"Truly?" Corvus was overjoyed.

"When I take a job, you can rest easy," she said blandly, not even looking at him. "If the subject isn't standing in front of you by then, I'll eat my own name."

"Then I eagerly await your good news, Miss Specter."

***

The weather had been clear when

they arrived, but as they prepared to leave, dark clouds gathered and a

fierce gale began to howl. Iain

sea

was too rough for any ships to sail.

"Since the weather has turned, you should stay the night on the island," Corvus suggested over the roar of the wind his voice deep "Perhaps you'll wake up to excellent news."

"Sure," Juniper agreed without hesitation, her lips curling in satisfaction. "I was worried you might take the research and vanish into the night anyway."

"You have a wonderful sense of humor."

"Thanks for the compliment."

The moment they exchanged pleasantries and turned away from each other, the fake smiles vanished from both of their faces.

Corvus glanced at his second-in-command, his voice dropping into a lethal whisper. "If the research succeeds tomorrow, execute Specter."