Chapter 1556 Past Events
"I do want it, but the Chairman's proposal hasn't been approved yet," Zaid said, his voice measured.
With such a weapon at his disposal, Raymond's group would become irrelevant—expendable.
Atlas's gaze fixed on the glass enclosure alongside Zaid's. The walls were impenetrably thick—bulletproof and designed for 360-degree observation.
Inside this transparent prison, the subjects lived without dignity, their most intimate moments exposed to clinical observation. They were treated worse than livestock; they were lab rats.
Every few hours, Zaid would return to observe the subject, his desire growing more intense with each visit.
Around the subject's neck hung a small gemstone bead—something it had apparently worn for years. The researchers hadn't bothered removing such a worthless trinket, which ironically made this particular subject more identifiable. It was the only one adorned with any personal effect.
Later, Zaid visited his mentor only to find her hurling her phone against the wall in rage.
"Ms. Porter?" he inquired cautiously.
Seeing him, the ferocity in her expression gradually subsided as she sank into a nearby chair.
"Zaid, are you familiar with Calla Griffin?" she asked.
Calla was the facility's renowned female scientist whose work was essential to numerous research projects. The higher-ups had broken countless rules for her—she'd been at the facility for over twenty years and enjoyed unprecedented privileges.
"Yes, I know of her," Zaid replied.
"That bitch is always stealing my opportunities. I recommended you for advancement, and she vetoed it." Isolde's voice dripped with venom.
Zaid frowned. He'd never met this female scientist, only heard of her reputation as a research prodigy who rarely emerged from her classified laboratory. Her latest creation—the subject—had earned her considerable favor with the leadership.
"You have history with her?" he asked carefully.
"Not exactly bad blood—just some conflicts years ago," Isolde replied, clenching her fist as malice darkened her eyes. "You know I despise Octavia. Manuel brought her here years ago."
Zaid's pupils dilated slightly. Octavia had been to the facility? Everyone who entered this place never left—except as a corpse.
"You met her here? What happened between you? How did she leave?" The questions tumbled out.
A cold smile crept across Isolde's face. "Before coming to the facility, I lived in Vistalia. Octavia and I knew each other since childhood, but Jason only had eyes for her."
'Another tale of romantic rivalry,' Zaid thought, methodically pouring Isolde a glass of water.
Her fingers traced the rim of the glass as she continued, her tone icy. "As a child, I loved playing with Jason, but he never reciprocated my feelings. He was always kind to Octavia, so I remembered her. Years after I entered the facility, Manuel brought Octavia here. I was ecstatic—I saw an opportunity to settle an old score. I wanted to use her for experiments, but Manuel refused."
Disgust deepened in her eyes. "Manuel was truly revolting. Everyone knew his real intentions in bringing her here."
"Did Manuel have feelings for Octavia too?" Zaid asked.
"He wasn't capable of genuine feelings—he just wanted to control her. He drugged her with compounds from the facility. Back then, Octavia was a renowned medical prodigy in Vistalia, exactly the kind of talent the facility needed. I assumed they wouldn't let her leave, but surprisingly, she departed after just six months."
Disappointment flickered in Zaid's eyes. He must have been away during those two years, which explained why he'd never heard this story.
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