Chapter 1193

A second later.

Felton jogged up the hill with a tablet in hand, speaking respectfully. "Boss, our satellite probes have locked onto the exact coordinates."

Shanley took the tablet, his eyes scanning the screen.

It displayed a modest but exquisitely fortified estate.

Thermal imaging confirmed multiple heat signatures inside.

It was heavily guarded.

"Pass down the order. Have our teams move into the perimeter of the town in staggered groups," Shanley said, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the device. His low voice was laced with lethal intent. "No one makes a move until I give the word."

Inside the estate.

Juniper had been locked in the lab for three days.

Finally, she was brought face-to-face with a test subject.

The man had volunteered for the research program, demanding immediate

modification the second he walked through the door.

"What's the rush?" Juniper frowned slightly. She needed to know if her message had made it out.

"Tell me, where have you been these past few days? What have you been doing?"

"Yes, ma'am."

The man sat rigidly in the chair and obediently recounted his movements.

"I also went to J.P. Sweets..." The man rubbed the back of his neck, looking genuinely confused. "I wanted to buy some candy, but they didn't have the kind I was craving."

Five-Flavor Fusion Candy.

He still couldn't understand why he had felt an overwhelming urge to buy a candy he had never even heard of before.

"And then..."

"That's enough." Having gotten the exact answer she needed, Juniper's mood instantly brightened. "Lie down over there. We'll begin your surgery in ten minutes."

Standing watch by the door, Corvus noticed nothing out of the ordinary.

An hour later.

Five test subjects were escorted out of the room, one by one.

Juniper peeled off her surgical gloves and mask, tossing them into the biohazard bin.

"I"

Before she could even finish her sentence, a guard rushed in with a silver platter. "Your favorite mangoes, some candy, and a few snacks, miss."

"Thanks."

Juniper lifted her chin, popping a piece of candy into her mouth as she looked out the door at Corvus "This batch will need about two weeks of observation If ther abilities show rapid enhancement, the genetic modification protocol will be locked in."

"So, old man, the experiment is almost over. What's your plan for me?"

"Leave us," Corvus ordered, waving his hand. His men immediately filed out of the room.

Everyone except Dr. Nadia Norwood.

She stayed rooted to her spot.

"You too," Corvus shot her a sideways glance, his tone freezing.

Nadia didn't want to leave, but she had no choice. She turned on her heel.

Before walking out, she cast a long, venomous look at Juniper, her heart pounding with anxiety.

She had assumed that once the research was complete, Corvus would dispose of the girl.

Even if he managed to bring Theia back, Nadia was confident she could handle the older woman.

But this?

She had heard whispers that Corvus was actually considering keeping this brat around permanently.

And Juniper was infinitely more dangerous than Theia ever was.

No.

She absolutely could not let Specter live.

"How about we make a deal?"

Corvus sat down, his usually harsh features softening slightly. "You want your father

to live, don't you?"

"?"

Juniper looked up lazily, a soft scoff escaping her throat.

He really loved stating the obvious.

"Without the medication, he's a dead

man." Corvus's thin lips curled upward, his voice dropping into a ruthless, authoritative cadence

Commit yourself to staying here

with me, and I guarantee he lives."

"Define 'commit," Juniper said, her eyes narrowing into a mock-sweet smile.

"I'll wipe the memories of all three of you," Corvus rasped. "You and Theia will stay

by my side, and Silas... I'll let him walk away with his life."

"So you just really want to play stepdaddy? Juniper lost it, her voice echoing off the sterile walls. "You ruthless, hideous old creep! You think someone like you could ever produce a daughter as brilliant, kind, and adorable as me?

"You want me to call you Dad?"

She stood up abruptly, staring down at him with pure, unadulterated disgust. "If you

don't own a mirror, go look in a puddle! See for yourself if you're even worthy of the

title!"