Chapter 1179

"If they were willing to trade themselves for you once, they'll do it a million times over. This place is no different from Subterra Vanguard's maximum-security wing," he said, his hands clasped behind his back as a sadistic smirk twisted his features. "Don't even think about escaping. There is no way out."

Leaving her with that final threat, he stormed out of the room, vibrating with fury.

The moment the door locked, she effortlessly slipped free of her restraints and spat out the gag.

He was right about one thing. A quick glance around confirmed the lab was built with reinforced, military-grade materials. Without heavy explosives, breaking out using sheer physical force was mathematically impossible.

"Tsk."

She let out a cold laugh and simply flopped backward onto the cot.

If you get knocked down, you might as well get comfortable.

Staring up at the ceiling, the arrogant smirk slowly faded from her lips.

Luella and her sister had definitely gotten her parents back to the Sigma Network base in Eclara City. Under their protection, her family was untouchable.

But... Shanley.

Just thinking his name sent a sharp, agonizing pinch through her heart.

She had promised him. She told him she was going to bring her parents back, and then she was going to marry him.

She broke her promise.

Knowing his temper, he was probably losing his mind right now. And his body was still completely wrecked. If he pushed himself too hard, he might actually end up permanently paralyzed.

Shanley... just hold on a little longer. I'll make it out of here.

She mouthed his name silently, slowly closing her stinging eyes.

Truthfully, Corvus's sedative wasn't entirely useless. She had been burning through sheer willpower to stay lucid until she knew her parents were safe. Now that the adrenaline had vanished, her exhausted nervous system shut down, and she slipped into a heavy sleep.

...

Eclara City.

Sigma Network Base.

Shanley had been locked in the command center for hours. Driven to the brink of insanity, he had already smashed several monitors in a blind rage.

The room was packed with elite hackers, none of whom dared to breathe as they failed time and time again to pick up the Boss Lady's digital trail.

The entire base felt like a graveyard. It was exactly like the dark days when Specter had first put a hit out on him. Pure, unfiltered hell.

Finally, just as everyone was about to crack under the pressure, Jimmie Tate appeared like a saving grace.

"Your body can't handle sitting upright for this long," Jimmie said, staring at the man hunched over the keyboard, oscillating between anger and deep concern. "Do you really think she's going to be happy whên She gets back and finds out you destroyed yourself?"

Shanley completely ignored him, his hyper-fixated gaze never leaving the scrolling code on the screens.

It made no sense. Before she left, he had personally planted a micro-tracker in her hair. Why was the signal completely dead? Where the hell did Corvus take her?

"Shanley!" Seeing the man act like a lifeless machine, Jimmie's temper finally flared. He violently slammed the laptop shut and shoved it aside. "Can you stop acting like a lunatic for five seconds?"

Shanley sat frozen in his chair. After

going completely without sleep, food, or water for over twenty-four

hours he looked hollowed out. His

face was a ghastly white, giving the distinct impression he might

actually drop dead at any second.

Cóntent

"I can't find her." He slowly raised his face. His eyes were completely bloodshot,

resembling a wounded, desperate animal, and his voice was a broken, shredded rasp.

Seeing the sheer devastation in his eyes, Jimmie Tost any desire to yell at him. He sighed heavily. "He needs her for his experiments. He's going to kill her, anytime soon.

Besides my parents want el

SWIT

you."

See

Jimmie paused, then added, "They might have some information that can help."

Hearing that, Shanley forced himself out of the chair, swaying dangerously on his feet as he pushed himself forward.

"Where are you going?" Jimmie frowned.

"To change." Shanley turned his head, forcing a weak, agonizing imitation of a smile. "If I'm going to ask for their daughter's hand, I should at least look the part, shouldn't I?"

Jimmie was speechless.

The man was practically offering up his own life on a silver platter; it was the ultimate dowry. If his parents didn't give him their blessing, Jimmie would personally drag his sister down the aisle for him.