Not A Small-Town Girl

----

"Don’t ‘feel’ anything! Every time you

guys feel sexnething, it’s a disaster.

This is a raid game. First sign, we

fell for it Second sign, we didn’t S

Now we get to the third one, and

theyre trying to get us to pulhit down

n."

“We’re splitting up. | don’t care what happens this

time. We’re not falling for it again," he said, voice full

of determination.

The group spread out, walking at a distance from one

another. They were confident that they’d avoid the

trap this time—after all, they had the experience.

But, as usual, their confidence didn’t last long.

----

In Soufield, Geoffrey was rushed into the operating

room.

The hospital staff quickly contacted David upon

recognizing the name. The call was abruptly ended,

with David showing no intention of heading to the

hospital.

Nathan, ever perceptive, didn’t press further. Instead,

he reported, "Boss, I’ve brought in a few poison

experts. They all said the poison, Luna Stalk, is

untreatable."

David’s mood darkened further as he sat at his desk.

His voice was cold as he responded, "Keep looking

for someone who can make an antidote for Luna

Stalk."

“Understood.”

----

Nathan hesitated, then added, "Also, Patrick’s team is

up at Bane Springs Mountain looking for Danielle’s

master."

“Also,” Nathan continued, "the masked people we

found in the cave—our lab results came back. They’re

living experiments, mutated by drugs. On the surface,

they look human, but they’re nothing more than

puppets.”

David’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of respect in his

voice as he added, "Danielle took care of all those

things? Impressive.”

----

"They’re connected to the people

who kidnappéd Matthew, linked to

Shadow Romain. Asignificant

portion dt their force has already

move Aleria, and it’s likely the

mastermind is there as well, But

those two in the cave? Thegcame

prepared."

----

Nathan paused, then added, "The assassin we

encountered outside the cave—his phone was

recovered by the tech department. It’s clear they were

targeting you, and we traced the transfer to Polly."

David’s fingers drummed against his desk as a cold

smile crossed his face. "Polly again, huh? He thinks

he can get rid of me? Not a chance."

David’s eyes glinted with cold resolve. "Yes. Bring

Polly here. It’s time to end this."

Jaden’s message arrived.

Jaden: [Somebne posed as a doctor

last night, trying to take out Xavier. |

caught them in the act, but befored

could interrogate, they died—paison

in theinmouth. The Darling

family—did they make any ememies?

eed any help?]

----

David read the message, his anger boiling over.

Harming the Darling family means harming Danielle.

David: [I’ll handle it. Let me know if you need anything,

but you should ask the Darling family, not me.]

Jaden: [Nice, he’s handsome, but why does he have

such a mouth?]

David: [Xavier’s mouth is worse than mine.]

Jaden: [No need to send anyone. My team’s already

at the hospital.]

David put down his phone and immediately dialed

another number.

“Send people to St. Katherine’s Hospital to watch over

things, especially the doctors and nurses entering the

rooms."

“Understood, boss. We’ll send someone right away.”