Chapter 74
Julian’s heart stopped when he saw her lunge. He wanted to stop her, but his eyes caught on the Paraiba around Regina’s neck–the gift he had given
her.
The memory
memory of her radiant smile flickered in his mind.
Julian, thank you, she’d said.
For just a second, Julian froze, and that moment of hesitation cost him. The blade was coming right for his face.
Before he could react, a blur of motion crashed into Regina, knocking her off balance and pulling her into a tight embrace.
Steve grabbed the knife from Regina’s hands and helped Julian to his feet with a swift.
Julian slood frozen, his body slick with cold sweat, staring dazedly in Regina’s direction
Preston had Regina in his arms, holding her tightly.
He had just risked his life to stop
Regina, stop!” His voice cracked with desperation. “You’re hurt! If you keep moving, you’ll kill yourself!”
But Regina struggled desperately in his arms, like a lifeless zombie determined to reach Julian.
Preston’s hand trembled as he held her tighter “It’s me, Reginal Don’t you recognize me**
He cupped her face in his hands, his eyes brimming with tears. Regina, look at me. Please, look at mel
Her ragged breathing slowed as her vacant eyes finally focused on him. For a moment, she looked stunned.
Preston eld her face, his voice cracked as he begged, “It’s my fault. I never should’ve left you alone. Please don’t lose yourself. I can’t bear to lose you,
hot now.
Tears fell freely from his eyes, landing warm on her face.
It seemed to snap something back into place. Her dull eyes brightened, a flicker of recognition lighting them up. “Preston?” she whispered.
“Ding!”
Regina’s Humanity 1. total:J]
Relief washed over Preston, and he clung to her tightly. “it’s me. You’re back, bren’t you?”
Regina stared at hi
at him blankly, tears spilled from her eyes, and she whispered like a frightened child, “Preston, it hurts… it hurts so much.”
Preston’s heart shattered. I know, Regina, I’ll make it right
right, I swear I’ll make them pay. But you need to hold on. Don’t cry, okay?
y? Well g
get through
J Regina did not respond. Her face turned pale as paper, and her strength faded until she slumped unconscibus in his arms.
Stephen rushed forward, urgency sharp in his tone. “Give her to me! We don’t have time. She needs surgery now, or she’s done fort”
Without waiting, he lifted Regina into his arms and barked orders. “Liam, call the lab and get the top–tier alsdominal prosthetic ready. I need them
on site now or die won’t survive without it!”
Liam dialed frantically as they hurried away, leaving the room silent except for the faint hun of tension lingering in the air.
Preston looked down at his school uniform, now drenched in blood.
Regina’s blood.
The light in Preston’s eyes dimmed as he unbuttoned his school uniform. His voice was calm, almost detached. Tve never been the type to nitpick” he said. “I know ‘Prince‘ is just a backhanded insult. Everyone calls me that, and I’ve let it slide every time“.
Shrugging off his jacket, he revealed a shon–sleeved white shirt underneath.
The seams of cybernetic enhancements were stark against his pale forearms. Slowly, his arm unfolded, revealing a razor–sharp mantis blade that hummed with a faint blue glow.
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11:30 AM
Chapter 74
다
The flickering light reflected in Leila’s wide, terrified eyes.
Preston stared down at her, his golden bangs casting a shadow over one eye. His other eye, an unrelenting icy blue, locked onto her with chilling
focus.
“But this time,” he said, his tone even, void of warmth, “someone crossed the line.”
“And they’re going to pay for it
