Chapter 496 Albert, When Can You Come to Save Me?
The helicopter's rotor blades whipped up a fierce wind, tousling Clifford's hair as he remained motionless on the empty tarmac, watching the aircraft fade into a distant speck against the horizon.
His eyes held a profound melancholy, a complex tapestry of emotions weaving through his heart. Only God knew the surge of joy he'd felt upon awakening to find Yvette at his bedside—yet he understood with painful clarity that it was wrong. She belonged to another world: her husband, her two precious children, the Valdemar family legacy that claimed her.
As thoughts of Yvette returning to Albert's arms stirred a bitter ache within him, an unexpected peace settled over his spirit. Despite his own heartbreak, her happiness remained his deepest wish. He had saved her not to possess her, but simply to ensure she continued breathing in this world—free, unbound by his desperate need.
The setting sun stretched his silhouette across the ground as he raised his hand in a final farewell. The nurse wheeled him away toward the hospital wing while Felix and Gabrielle observed his retreating figure, something dark flickering in their eyes.
Felix's phone shattered the silence. After glancing at the screen, then at Gabrielle, his expression hardened into something predatory. With a subtle gesture, Gabrielle dismissed everyone from the area.
Once alone, Felix answered the call. "Status report?"
"Mr. Hayes, the package has been secured."
"Excellent."
A bone-deep chill penetrated Yvette's consciousness as she slowly opened her eyes. Instead of the helicopter that should have carried her home to the Valdemars, she found herself imprisoned within stark concrete walls and iron bars—a place that reeked of institutional brutality.
The cell door had slammed shut behind her, trapping her in this nightmarish facility. Confusion and terror clawed at her chest as she tried to comprehend what had gone wrong.
Footsteps echoed in the corridor before a white-coated figure entered, extending a handful of pills with clinical indifference. "Take your medication."
Through the dim lighting, Yvette recognized the bespectacled doctor from the private medical facility—the same man who had haunted her previous captivity. Her body began trembling uncontrollably as the devastating truth crystallized: Felix and Gabrielle had orchestrated an elaborate deception, staging her release for Clifford's benefit while secretly transporting her to this prison-like laboratory.
"Release me immediately," she demanded, her voice shaking with righteous fury. "This is unlawful imprisonment—you're committing a federal crime!"
Thalion adjusted his glasses with a cold smile. "If we were concerned about legality, you wouldn't be seeing me here, would you? This medication will alleviate your discomfort."
"I'm not experiencing any discomfort except for being caged like an animal!" Yvette's voice cracked with desperation. "Why are you holding me captive? What's the purpose of these drugs? This isn't about keeping me with Clifford—what's your real agenda?"
Thalion remained unmoved by her passionate pleas, mechanically repeating, "This medication will help you feel better."
"I refuse to take anything until you tell me the truth!" Yvette backed against the wall. "I have the right to know why I'm going to die!"
Without another word, Thalion produced his keys and began unlocking the cell door. As Yvette opened her mouth to scream, she felt a warm trickle from her nose. Touching her face instinctively, her fingers came away crimson with blood.
The sight paralyzed her with recognition—Clifford had experienced identical symptoms. A terrible understanding began forming in the depths of her mind, though the complete picture remained frustratingly elusive, like trying to grasp smoke.
During her moment of stunned realization, Thalion and his team of medical personnel swarmed into the cell. Despite her fierce resistance, they overpowered her with practiced efficiency, strapping her to a gurney with restraints that bit into her wrists and ankles.
Thalion's laugh held no warmth as he forced her jaw open, shoving the pills down her throat and following with water that made her choke and convulse. Tears streamed down her face as she gazed through the small, high window—her only connection to the outside world.
Inside, Yvette was screaming, 'Albert, when will you come for me?'
After ensuring the medication had been administered, Thalion retreated to his office, examining the bite marks Yvette had left on his hand. "Feisty little thing," he muttered with grudging respect.
Felix and Gabrielle were waiting when he entered, their faces etched with anxious anticipation.
"Was today's dosage successful?" Felix inquired with barely contained urgency.
"Administered without complications. Our nursing staff will monitor her reactions continuously and document everything," Thalion confirmed.
Gabrielle exhaled shakily. "If this experimental treatment proves effective for their condition, we can finally begin treating Clifford?"
"Theoretically, yes," Thalion replied carefully. "However, with only one test subject sharing his symptoms, our data remains limited. Achieving consistent therapeutic results will be challenging."
"You're saying that even if she improves without severe side effects, the medication still won't be considered safe?" Gabrielle's voice rose with maternal fear.
"Clinical trials are inherently complex," Thalion explained. "But given Mr. Clifford Hayes's deteriorating condition, we can't afford further delays. We'll have to treat him while continuing our research. Based on Ms. Orlando's responses so far, the side effects appear non-fatal."
Felix's eyes reflected the agony of an impossible choice. "God help us all if Clifford's body can't withstand these experimental drugs..."
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