Chapter 267
As soon as the words left Rory’s mouth, Nicolas let out a cold laugh.
“You’re joking, right?”
Rory raised an eyebrow. “Do I look like someone who jokes
Unfortunately… no, he didn’t. Rory Jenkins had never been known for his sense of humor.
But when Nicolas glanced at Angeline standing beside him, he still found this whole setup utterly ridiculous.
He turned back to Rory, eyes narrowed. “You said you’ve been watching me, that you know exactly why I came. So what’s this supposed to be, then! A test? A trap?”
Rory smiled, calm and composed.
“You came here for the Transformer, didn’t you? You want power–enough to protect her. Well, with one word, I can guarantee her safery. The condition? Marry Angéline. Seems fair to me.
Nicolas silently cursed.
But out loud, he focused on the one word that mattered, “Transformer? You know about Noelle?”
“Of course.” Rory nodded, signaling for a refill. Angeline stepped forward obediently to pour him another cup of coffee.
He took a slow sip, then added. “She’s part of a human experimentation program–specifically, a Transformer from the Atoraka- Nowedon Laboratory. A high–value subject. Normally, someone like her would be untouchable. But the Jenkins family happens to be one of the labs‘ major investors. We carry considerable influence. If I say the word, she’ll be officially removed from the program -and protected.”
Nicolas fell silent, his mind spinning. A human experiment… I knew it. Noelle must have suffered unimaginable things in that place!
His voice dropped, edged with ice. “Isn’t human experimentation illegal? Internationally banned? And yet you invest in it?
Rory let out a booming laugh. “Oh, Nicolas. Don’t be naive. Laws are for the weak. To the people in charge, they’re nothing but tools to control the masses. You really think those rules apply to those of us in power?”
He leaned forward, gesturing at himself. “Look at me. What do you
see?”
Nicolas gave him a once–over and thought, A smug old bastard.
But he forced a polite smile. “You look remarkably young
“Exactly. I’m over 80 years old, and yet I’m in better shape than most men half my age. That’s the power of our research. And the girl you’re so infatuated with? She’s the pinnacle of it all. Physically superior in every way–strength, stamina, healing. She’s a breakthrough. A weapon. One that could change the course of human evolution.”
Nicolas’s eyes darkened. “Noelle is not a weapon”
“Shen a weapon,” Rory replied coldly, his voice hard as stone.
“You think she loves you! All it takes is one command from the lab, and she’ll kill you without blinking. These Transformers are designed to obey orden without question. As we speak, your little pet is undergoing final emotional testing. They’re measuring her responses to love and familial bonds. Once that data’s collected, she’ll be ordered to destroy every emotional attachment she’s made That means you. Her so–called family Everyone. Because in the end, she’s not human–she’s a tool. A beautifully efficient killing
Rory continued, his voice like a noose tightening.
stop you from keeping her as a pet, if that’s what you want. Powerful men have their indulgences. But in public, in your marriage and at your ude—you will porient Angeline. If you agree to nurry her immediately, Ill contact the lab and have them release the purl to you. I not! You’ll neveive no help from the jerkins family — and you’ll have to dra uth th allout alone And remember, the emotional testing could be trigge
2:24 PM ch c
Chapter 267
When Nicolas left the Jenkins estate, he felt like a walking shell. Rory’s words were still echoing in his head, relentless and suffocating.
There was too much to process.
Noelle was a Transformer. A product of one of the world’s most secretive human experiment programs–Atoraka–Nowedon Laboratory.
She was undergoing emotional testing.
She was
And once she
truly
ly formed deep
ep emotional attachments, the lab would issue one command: destroy those bonds. Kill them all,
Nicolas stared out the car window, mind reeling. ‘Does Noelle know this? She looks so happy with her family. She smiles so brightly when she’s with me. Could she really turn on all of us just like that? No. No way
She had no idea.
With how pure she was–how deeply she cherished every little emotion–there was no way
y she could hide the truth so flawlessly.
But if she truly didn’t know.. then once she did, it would destroy her.
Maybe that’s exactly what the lab wants.
Build her up. Let her fall in love. Let her experience connection, warmth, belonging-
And then rip it all away. Let her shatter.
Because once she’s broken, she’ll never hesitate again. She’ll become exactly what they want: a perfect tool with no weakness.
The more Nicolas thought about it, the more his stomach twisted
They’re not just destroying her life. They’re destroying her soul.”
na room for compromise.
And Rory… that smug bastard. He left no
If I want to protect Noelle–if I want to get her out safely–I have to marry Angeline. Otherwise, I risk losing everything… and maybe even dying by her hand!
“F**k,” Nicolas muttered under his breath.
“Mr. Sawyer?” Bryan glanced back from the driver’s seat, startled.
He’d never seen Nicolas like this before–so openly distressed. In all their years together, even under pressure, Nicolas had always remained calm and composed.
But this? Whatever happened back there had shaken him to his core.
Nicolas didn’t answer.
He ran a hand through has slicked–back hair, messing it up in frustration, then pulled out his phone. He had to call Noelle.
No matter what happened next, he needed to know what she was thinking. What she felt.
They’d only been together for half a year, but in that time, every smile, every laugh, every tear–he’d memorized it all
And Nicolas refused to believe that a girl who cried when she saw a wounded cat could be turned into a killer by a single co
He needed to hear her voice. Needed her to tell him it wasn’t true.
e command,
A robotic voice came through. “The number you love dialed is currently
rently
available.
Please try again lat
Try again later”
Nicolas’a brow furrowed.
Noelle always answered quickly. The only reason she wouldn’t pick up.
She’s still at the Lab Sull helping Bennett with that damn experiment? Nicolas though
But it had been hour.
And suddenly, a chilling wave of unease washed over him. What if something’s happened to her!
