Female Novel
Chapter 1767
Maja finally succumbed to pouring a glass of water, considering Patric's hands were bound behindhis back, rendering him incapable of holding the cup himself.
She pressed the rim of the glass to his lips, feeding him personally. This seemed to make himsomewhat uncomfortable as he turned his head away, "Get a man to do this."
Undeterred, Maja forced the glass between his lips, and water gurgled down his throat until Patricwas coughing violently, nearly hacking up a tear.
After he'd gulped down more than half the glass, Maja set it aside and asked with a nonchalanttone, "Still thirsty?"
Patric continued to cough, his lips pressed into a cold, thin line. Seeing that he remained silent,Maja returned to her seat.
She had already laid out her theories, having been an outsider to the inner circle's situation, whichallowed her to analyze everything objectively.
However, Fitch and the others had known Bernard since childhood, and Ian had practically beenraised under Bernard's watchful eye. It was hard for them to suspect someone so close.
But Maja chose that moment to drop a bombshell, "Isn't Phelps a living example? You've known himfor years, yet what was the truth?"
Fitch cast his gaze downward, hiding the turmoil in his eyes.
"I'll cooperate. What's the plan from here?"novelbin
"Number 8 and this girl," Maja gestured toward the girl who had been using Dylan's shoulder as apillow, her name still unknown to them.
"Both of them are remarkably skilled. Among the best in the world. After I hand over Ian and Patrictomorrow, they'll follow surreptitiously. If Bernard makes a move, they'll know. They can relayinformation back to us."
"Also, Fitch, leak the news about Queena's swap. Implicate Bernard's rivals, make them suspecthim. It'll keep him busy in the public eye, which give us a better opportunity to make our move."
"Dylan, this girl only listens to you. You'll need to command her from outside. Nana, your brother'sthe same. You and Dylan might need to be on call with them, directing their every move."
Beck waited impatiently for his assignment, yet it had still not come. He finally cleared his throat andpointed to himself with a finger.
Maja glanced at him, "Beck, I need you to find someone Bernard cares about - his wife or otherrelatives - someone to hold leverage over him."
Before she could finish, Fitch interjected.
"Bernard's wife passed away a long time ago, and they were deeply in love. He went gray overnightbecause of it, and he's been dyeing his hair ever since. He cherished her deeply. If his son trulydied before reaching the research base, what Bernard might want to resurrect could be more thanjust his son."
Now Fitch's theory was also bold, and it was the only one that seemed to connect all dots. Maja'seyes narrowed. In that case, Bernard would need two bodies - one for his son's memories and onefor his wife's.
If he intended to use Ian as one of the vessels, then who would be the female counterpart? Thiswas a puzzle Maja couldn't solve yet, but so far, all they could do were those things.
They had to start by uncovering clues to gradually reveal Bernard's true intentions. She turned tothe girl by Dylan and the silent Number 8, her voice filled with sincerity, "Ian's life is in your handsnow."
Number 8 looked up, his eyes flashing with a mix of determination and anxiety as he swallowedhard, "No problem."
The girl tugged at Dylan's sleeve, hesitated for a few seconds, and then eked out a word, "Okay."
Maja had no choice but to make this choice. If these two "creatures" couldn't protect Ian, the gamewas lost. She had to trust them.
The brief meeting adjourned, and Maja ascended to the second floor, entering her bedroom.
Ian was still unconscious, showing no signs of waking. Maja took his hand and let out a soft sigh.