Chapter 69
Stephen stood at the side, arms crossed, and barked. “Hey! Snap out of it!
Liam jolted back to reality, glancing at Stephen with a mix of guilt and confusion.
Stephen shot him a sharp look. “Have you figured anything out yet? Or are you just here playing doctor, Chairman Liam?”
Liam froze, realizing he’d gone too far.
What the hell was I even thinking just now?
Quickly withdrawing his hand, he muttered. “I was just… taking a look.”
Stephen scoffed, his tone dripping with mockery. That was just a look? Look at you, your ears so red I’m getting secondhand embarrassment!”
Liam’s eyes widened as he instinctively touched his cars.
They were burning hot.
When did they turn red?!‘
Liam quickly composed himself, though his reddened ears betrayed him. “It’s just hot, alright! Isn’t it normal for ears to turn red? Besides, you’re acting like some over–the–top peacock after a fancy makeover. So quit it
Stephen smirked. “Let’s see how well you score.
Blushing harder, Liam grabbed a croissant, carefully splitting it open. “Here. This way, it won’t burn
Regina rubbed her check, frowning. “You pressed so hard it actually hurt.
Liam’s face flushed even deeper, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…..
Flustered, he quickly offered her another pastry, hoping to change the subject “Maybe you’ll like this one!”
Regina glanced at the spread and smiled faint
Shep
gave him a small nod. “Thanks”
“Ding!
[Regina’s Humanity +3, total: 17.)
Liam felt a strange flicker of satisfaction.
“I like everything here.”
Seeing the three point boost gave him a subtle sense of pride.
He shot Stephen a smug look.
Liam glanced at Stephen and gave him a pointed look, silently signaling. Look. Three points,
Stephen’s mood instantly soured, “What kind of fair sure point systein is this?“.
Still, it wasn’t so bad. He wasn’t the highest, but he wasn’t the lowest either.
Next up was
was Julian.
Julian, who had been silently watching Regina, smoothly took over the moment Liam stepped aside.
Facing Regina, Julian spoke calmly, “I dug into the group from last night. The middleman didn’t have much to offer, but I found out their backers are tied to a company on par with your mother’s. They want you alive, but their motives are unclear.”
Regina kept eating, unfazed. “Not surprising. My mom told me when she adopted me, being her heir means being a target. I knew the risks and accepted them. I know more people will come after me, but let them try
Julian stared at her, stunned. “You know they might kill you, and this is how
you react?”
She glanced at him calmly. “What other reaction should I havel
11:29 AM
Chapter 69
He pressed further, “Aren’t you afraid of dying?”
Regina tipped her head back, gulping down the rest of her food, and set the bowl on the table with a sharp clink. “And yout Don’t you risk death every day dealing with hinatics?“
“Of course not, Julian replied, almost reflexively
“Neither do I Regina said with equal certainty
Julian caught off guard by her confidence.
Clearing her plate, she said, “If you can’t see why I’m not scared of dying, maybe think about why you’re not. Then it’ll make sense
Without missing a beat, Julian shot back, his tone tinged with unintentional pride, “We’re not the same. I’m a for stronger than you.”
Regina paused mid–movement, raising an eyebrow. “Are you saying I’m not strong?”
Julian was momentarily taken aback, meeting her sharp gaze.
Het pale face and tired eyes gave her away. She popped a mint into her mouth, biting down with deliberate force, her frustration evident. Tm asking you. Am I not strong?”
Julian felt the intensity of her aura pressing down, almost suffocating.
He spoke plainly, “Right now, you’re not as good as me.”
Regina’s eyes darkened, her mood dimming with the sting of his words. It was true.
She leaned casually against the wall, her tone relaxed. “Once I recover and upgrade my prosthetic, we’ll s
Stephen, Liam, and Julian all froze in confusion.
Who
ho are you going to make cry!
Julian pointed to himself, unterly baffled. “You want to make me cry? Me?”
spar. Then we’ll see if I can make you cry.”
Regina, unfazed, replied casually. “Yes. With your looks, experience, and status, I’m sure it would be quite impactful if you did.”
Julian’s face turned a deep shade of red, clearly flustered. He stood abruptly, his tone almost indignant. “That’s not what you said yesterday!”
Regina tilted her head, feigning innocence. What did I say yesterday?”
Julian glared at his younger brothers before snapping back at her. Think for yourself!”
Regina paused, then laughed lightly. “Admiring you and wanting to make you cry aren’t in conflict, Officer Julian
Julian’s expression darkened. “Respect and insult, how do those not contradic?
“Then arrest me Regina replied, lifting her hands slightly like a perfect citizen awaiting cuth,
“Charge me with disrespect, Officer Julian. After all, no one would dare make someone like you cry
The to froze, clearly caught off guard.
Then, grinding his teeth, Julian’s hand instinctively moved toward his handcuffs. “Don’t think I won’t”
Regina smirked. “Go ahead; Arrest nie.”
As she reached toward him, Julian flinched and stepped back, his face flushed red with a mix of anger and embarrassment.
When was the last time Julian had been this angry?
He’d faced far more dangerous threats without even flinching, but now, frustration boiled over.
When you eventually turn into a malfunctioning cyborg, I’ll arrest y
you myselff” he growled.
Regina wasn’t offended; instead, she laughed. “Well, if that day ever comes and I lose my mind, you might as well kill me.”
Her blunt response left julian momentarily stunned.
11:30 AM
다
Chapter 69
“Even in death,” she added with a calm sincerity. Td rather it be at the hands of someone like you. That would at least be an honorable way to go.”
Julian’s breath hitched as he stared at her, utterly baffled.
‘How could someone like this even exist?
He could sense Regina admired him, though the urge to tease
ase him cla
clearly outweighed it…
Her eyes always sparkled with unmistakable mischief and challenge.
A strange, tingling sensation coursed through Julian as his mind spiraled into chaos.
It was as if he were caught in a whirlwind of emotions, teased, admired, mocked, yet depended upon by Regina.
His breathing grew uneven as he pulled a pre–prepared gift
it box fr
from his pocket and set it on the table. “Here, it’s an apology gift!”
The box itself was exquisite, wrapped in elegant packaging that hinted at its expensive contents.
Regina’s eyes widened slightly in surprise,
For a moment, she’d thought his nervous demeanor meant he was about to pull out a gun.
But no. It was a gift.
Curious, she opened the box.
Inside the box lay a breathtaking gemstone necklace, shimmering with blue–green hues.
Regina carefully picked it up, “What is this?”
“Paraiba,” Julian muttered, his hand instinctively brushing against the mechanical handcuffs at his waist as he avoided her gaze. “I asked a woman teammate to pick it out. She said you might like it.
“Ding”
[Regina’s Humanity 10! Current Humanity: 27.]
Julian, Liam, and Stephen exchanged puzzled glances, each expression ranging from mild confusion to outright disbelief.
*-101
How did it jump by +10 all at once!??
