Female Novel
Chapter 1615
In three days, except for the badge Philip was wearing, the rest of the numbers had been collected.
Sarah sifted through the codes and realized that the crucial digits were on Philip's badge. Only by
getting hold of that badge could they confirm the final three numbers.
Without it, there were too many possible combinations, and the lock only allowed one error. A second
mistake would seal their fate, trapping them even more securely.
"Doctor, I'll take care of the badge on him," Ian said casually, his eyes calm as he surveyed the jumble
of numbers.
"I'll get it."
Sarah nodded, fiddling with her stash of pharmaceuticals.
"To be honest, I didn't expect you guys to gather the numbers so quickly. I’ve been at it for years and
only managed to collect five. I feel like this might be my chance to get out, to escape with Number 8."
Her tone was wistful, the situation still feeling surreal. She could only admit that the people Ian had
brought were competent. If it were her, it’d take who knew how long.
Little did they know, Philip had sensed a shift in the atmosphere of the central hall. Especially since
Summer's incident, he felt an unease growing within him.
Now with access to all the medication in the base and areas he’d never been to before, he leaned
back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, a heavy thoughtfulness in his eyes.
At that moment, Phil entered the room, his face lighting up at the sight of Philip.
"Check this out, Philip," Phil brandished a new leaf he'd found from somewhere, eager to turn it into a
specimen.
Philip, already uninterested in leaf collecting and irritated, brushed Phil's hands away. Phil's smile
drooped, realizing he'd annoyed Philip again. His eyes lingered on the badge on Philip's chest, and he
couldn't resist touching it.
Philip grabbed his hand immediately, his face a picture of wariness.
"What are you doing?"
"I just wanted a closer look. You worked so hard to earn it, and I'm happy for you."
But what he really wanted to know was whether this cold metal was more attractive than his leaves.
Why did Philip favor this badge over the leaves he had painstakingly gathered?
He didn't understand and awkwardly retracted his hand.
"Phil, have you noticed something's off lately?" His instincts were sharp, and the unease had been
building, particularly after the fire in Summer's room. He felt things slipping out of his control.
Could that woman, the one who looked so much like Maja, really have come here alone? She didn't
seem skilled enough to make it on her own. With no way to communicate with the outside, it was
unlikely that Ian, as clever as he was, would send someone just to die.
Unless she was a distraction. Maybe Ian himself was already inside the base.
If Ian was indeed inside, Philip was determined that he wouldn't leave alive. His lips curved into anovelbin
smirk. What had seemed dull now intrigued him.
"Phil, go outside and look around. See if there are any new subjects who have come in recently and
died quickly."
While Phil might have been naive about the ways of the world, his visual acuity was exceptional,
allowing him to spot subtle differences others missed.
"Sure thing," Phil got up and left promptly.