Chapter 1178

Corvus stood frozen, glaring down at the girl on the floor.

She was casually leaning against the wall, a lazy, unbothered smirk playing on her lips.

The absolute audacity. Did she not realize she was a prisoner, entirely at his mercy, and could be killed at any second?

"Why did you fake it?" he demanded, his voice echoing with cold authority.

"First off, your drugs are garbage," Juniper said, lazily lifting her gaze to meet his with icy clarity. "Second, I needed you to drop your guard so you'd actually let my parents walk out of here."

"Aren't you afraid of dying?" he asked, studying her with a chilling, predatory gaze.

"Would I have handed myself over if I was?" She let out a soft scoff, completely indifferent. "Besides, I'm guessing you won't let me die until your little science project is a success."

"You're quite proud of yourself, aren't you?" Corvus sneered. "Think you're a genius?"

"What's wrong?" she shot back smoothly. "Am I not?"

If she wasn't a genius, she wouldn't have been able to play him like a damn fiddle. Seeing the mocking, effortless smile curving her lips, his eyes darkened further.

He was completely rendered speechless by her relentless sharp tongue, his face turning an ugly shade of ash.

She was undoubtedly Theia's daughter. That fearless, defiant attitude was a carbon copy of the woman he once knew.

Click-

The lights in the room flickered on, allowing Juniper to finally see her surroundings. It was a fully equipped, high-tech laboratory.

"Specter of Subterra Vanguard, and Dr. Nocturne." Corvus let out a dark laugh. "You played me perfectly. You're very good."

"And?" She narrowed her pristine eyes, her retort razor-sharp. "If I had pinpointed the location of Sanctum Holdings sooner, I would've just killed you, old man."

"You will show me respect!" Enraged, he snapped.

"Respect?" She chewed on the word, the sneer on her lips deepening into pure disgust. "I didn't realize kidnapping, blackmail, and illegal human experimentation demanded respect."

His eyes went arctic, and he stared at her with homicidal fury.

"With a twisted, disgusting

personality like yours, no wonder my mother wanted absolutely nothing to do with you," she laughed,

twisting the knife right whe

it hurt

the most. You demand respect

You're a joke!"

"Say that again!"

Completely unhinged, Corvus drew his weapon, the cold muzzle pressing directly

between her eyebrows. He roared like a cornered beast.

Theia had cared for him once. If

Silas Blackwood hadn't manipulated his way into her life and stolen her be different.

away, everything would there

This was all Silas's fault, and he would make sure the man paid the ultimate price.

"I'll say it ten times if you want." She didn't even blink, meeting his psychotic rage with a placid smile. "No wonder my mother chose him. No wonder my mother chose him. No wonder..."

She literally just started repeating it, utterly ignoring his increasingly murderous expression.

Arrogant, untamed, and entirely unafraid. She was absolutely certain he wouldn't dare pull the trigger on his precious test subject.

"Mmph—"

Before she could finish her tenth repetition, a rag was violently shoved into her mouth, cutting off her words.

Juniper: "?"

You cheap bastard.

Playing dirty, huh? If you've got guts, fight me hand-to-hand!

"Keep running your mouth, and I'll chemically destroy your vocal cords," he threatened, his chest heaving with uncontrolled, violent rage, Don't push me. I'm not going to kill you today. But once the research is complete, I'll drag your parents right back here."