Chapter 1554 Planning Begins
A sound echoed from outside—Raymond must be back. The woman in the hat rose to her feet.
"I'm starting the operation tonight. I won't be coming to see you again. Take care," she said rapidly, ducking her head as Raymond opened the door and slipping past him.
Raymond watched her leave before closing the door, his gaze settling on Selena. "What did she want this time?"
"She brought me food," Selena replied. "What was that explosion outside?"
"My doing. Lawrence and Clifton have already gone to the site. Tonight they'll pose as Stellarian casualties caught in the blast. Their 'bodies' will be taken to the hospital."
Selena's heart clenched. They were already moving forward with the plan?
"Selena, I'm heading to the welfare center now." Raymond briefly explained the situation, then reached out to stroke her hair. "I don't know when I'll make it back from the research center, but all three floors of this building are staffed with my people. I'll assign someone to look after you. If you need anything, just ask them."
Selena grabbed his hand, anxiety washing over her.
Raymond understood her concern. He took her fingertips and pressed them to his lips. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
How could everything be fine? The research facility was shrouded in mystery—no one knew what awaited them inside.
Selena wanted to insist on going with him, but she knew Raymond would never agree.
He checked the time on his phone. "We'll likely lose contact after this. I promise, the moment this is over, I'll come straight back for you. Can you trust me on this?"
Selena nodded reluctantly.
Raymond kissed her lips tenderly, then placed his hand on her stomach. "Take care of our child. Stay in touch with Richard—he's handling the Mystic Prison situation back home. He might even uncover new leads about your mother."
"Okay," Selena replied, her voice heavy as she watched him leave the room.
She followed him step for step until they reached the elevator on their floor.
He rubbed his forehead. "This is as far as we go. Head back now."
Selena retreated to her room doorway, watching as he left the hotel. Six or seven people accompanied him, filling two vehicles.
Back in her room, she couldn't shake her unease. Especially concerning the man from last night who resembled Raymond so closely. His identity felt like a ticking bomb, ready to detonate at any moment.
Raymond arrived at the welfare center, where over a hundred people had gathered—all hoping for accommodation tonight.
Officials were taking count at the entrance.
Disguised to avoid recognition, Raymond and his team blended into the crowd, inching forward with the others.
Those granted residency wept with joy, while the rejected slumped in despair.
When Raymond's turn came, the staff member looked surprised to see several Stellarians in the group. They were a rare sight in Arcturus.
After receiving approval, Raymond pulled the worker aside, discreetly slipping him an expensive pack of cigarettes. "I've heard you can find good work here. Any chance you could point me in the right direction?"
The cigarettes were luxury items in Arcturus—only the wealthy could afford them.
The staff member's demeanor shifted instantly as he sized Raymond up.
Raymond offered another pack. "If my brothers and I get selected, there are three more packs in it for you."
The workers didn't know that those selected were sent to the research facility; they believed these people genuinely went to work in Wealth Light Valley Street.
This wasn't their first bribe, but Raymond's generosity stood out.
"I can recommend you all, but there's testing involved—some kind of aptitude or intelligence screening. My recommendation only gets you through the door. If you can't pass the test, there's nothing I can do." Despite his disclaimer, he pocketed the cigarettes swiftly, as if afraid Raymond might change his mind.
Raymond raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Getting recommended is good enough."
"Alright then. There's a group being taken for testing tonight. I'll add your names to the list." The worker glanced at the cigarettes—worth several years of his salary.
Raymond handed over two more packs. Satisfied, the worker added their false names to the list.
These were bought identities—carefully crafted to slip past any surveillance system. The underground fighting ring moved dozens of these fake profiles every year, but tonight, it was Raymond's own crew making use of them.
Once their new identities checked out, Raymond and his team were led away for screening.
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