Chapter 157 Jessica
Elbert carefully traced the raised and lowered dots within the picture book, his mind working in overdrive. Thanks to Robert Williams's consciousness implantation during Spade 7's interrogation, he could now decipher the Card Club's "Revelation" code.
‘Directive: May 8, assassinate Veridiania scientist, Brian.’
‘Reply: Refuse to execute!’
‘Directive: June 9, assassinate DEC Gene Group Chairman, Samuel.’
‘Reply: Refuse to execute!’
‘Directive…’
A wave of icy hostility washed over Elbert, snapping him out of his thoughts. Jessica was staring at him, her eyes wide with shock and a flicker of something dangerous.
'He saw through my act.'
'He understood the code.'
'Could he be one of them?'
She pondered.
Jessica's hand twitched, fingers curling into a claw-like grip. She was a predator, poised to strike.
But before she could act, Elbert turned, his right pupil blazing with an intensity that stole her breath. Jessica froze, her arm locked in place.
his presence was overwhelming, a suffocating pressure that pinned her in place. She felt utterly powerless, as if a single wrong move would bring swift and brutal retribution.
Fear, cold and unfamiliar, gripped her. She dared not breathe, let alone attack.
Elbert, seemingly oblivious to the silent battle raging beside him, continued deciphering the code.
‘Directive: June 17, Veridiania General Jeffery will be at the Brown Family estate. Eliminate him.’
‘Reply: Refuse to execute!’
‘Directive: If you refuse one more time, you will never see your child again.’
‘Reply: Execute.’
Elbert's gaze snapped toward Jessica, his eyes narrowed. Her face had drained of all color, but she remained frozen in place.
‘Directive: July 1, assassinate Creator Paul Three!’
‘Reply: Refuse to execute!’
‘Directive: July 2, assassinate FutureTech Group’s Alan!’
‘Reply: Refuse to execute!’
The last entry sent a chill down Elbert's spine.
He closed the book, his expression hardening. "Miss Jessica," he began, his voice deceptively calm, "I truly underestimated you."
He recalled her file, the carefully constructed persona of a compassionate volunteer. "Those visits to the children's home… you were relaying information, weren't you?"
"And to think," he continued with a voice of disbelief, "You dared defy the Card Club's directives, so you must hold a high rank within their ranks."
He leaned closer, his gaze piercing. "Tell me, Jessica, when did you have a child? As far as I'm aware, you and Rex have none. And this child… they're holding them hostage, aren't they?"
Elbert tapped his fingers against the book, a measured beat that echoed the frantic pounding of Jessica's heart. "You've refused numerous assassination orders. If you explain well, I might spare your life."
His words were calm, measured, yet they struck her like a physical blow. Terror, unlike anything she had ever known, coursed through her veins.
She was a ghost, a phantom. Her secrets were buried deep.
Yet, here he was, peeling back her layers with terrifying ease.
'He knew everything.'
'But how?' She felt confused.
Before she could gather her wits, a shrill alarm pierced the tense silence. A frantic voice echoed from within the intensive care unit. "The patient is crashing! We're losing him!"
Elbert and Jessica sprang to their feet. It had been two hours since the accident. Elbert knew Mr. Brown's injuries were grave, with his brain severely damaged. Even if he survived, he would likely be vegetative.
They rushed into the ward, greeted by chaos. Mary, Susan, Laura, and Leonard huddled around Mr. Brown's bed, their faces etched with despair.
Mr. Brown lay motionless, his head swathed in bandages, his lips pale and bloodless.
"Doctor, please! You have to save him!" Mary and Susan cried, their voices hoarse with anguish.
The doctor shook his head, his face concerned. "A craniotomy is too risky. His chances are slim." He glanced at the monitors, his brow furrowing. "We need to stabilize him and buy some time. But his brain activity is fading fast..."
Elbert watched this, his heart heavy with sadness.
In his eyes, Mr. Brown, a man of such kindness and integrity, deserved better than this.
"Robert, any suggestions?" he asked, his voice tight.
"Not unless I could accelerate my development into a strong AI," Robert replied, his tone somber. "With nanites, I could potentially repair the damage, but that's years away."
"I found the information you requested," Robert added. "Seven individuals fit the criteria."
"We have to try," Elbert murmured, stepping forward.
The Brown daughters barely registered his presence, their grief all-consuming.
Elbert approached Mr. Brown's bedside, addressing the doctor. "Even in a vegetative state, he's still a bit conscious, right? He just can't communicate, no?."
The doctor looked up, startled. "That's correct, but..."
"Everyone, quiet!" Elbert commanded, his voice ringing with authority.
The room fell silent, and the Brown daughters stared at him with tear-filled eyes.
"If you want to help your father," Elbert said, his gaze unwavering, "stay silent."
He leaned close to Mr. Brown, whispering softly, "Angie..."
He watched the brain monitor. The line, a flatlining testament to fading life, remained unchanged.
"Anita..."
Still nothing.
Elbert took a deep breath, a sense of urgency gripping him. "Ann..."
The faintest tremor ran through Mr. Brown's eyelids. On the monitor, the flatlining curve twitched, then slowly began to rise. It stabilized, creating a weak but steady rhythm.
"Incredible!" the doctor exclaimed, his eyes wide with astonishment. "His brain activity is returning! It's a miracle!"
"Is he going to be alright?" Mary cried, her voice thick with hope.
The doctor hesitated, his expression bittersweet. "His brain activity has resumed, but he's still in a coma. It's too early to say for sure, but... there's a chance he might wake up."
A collective gasp filled the room, the despair lifting ever so slightly.
Elbert, his expression grave, addressed the Brown family. "There's a woman named Ann, a patient in room 305 at Whispering Pines vegetative care center. Bring her here; it might help."
He paused, his gaze distant. "Mr. Brown has been searching for her for thirty years. It was his dying wish." A flicker of sadness crossed his face. "She's also in a vegetative state."
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