Chapter 155
The long corridor was lit by dim yellow lights. Guards stood on both sides. The air carried a faint scent of gunpowder.
Just then, at the corner of the corridor, two figures appeared almost simultaneously.
The next second, both stopped in their tracks. The air seemed to freeze.
Reginald looked up. His gaze landed on the familiar figure not far away.
The young woman wore a sleek black tactical outfit, her long hair pulled up high, revealing her delicate profile.
Light fell from overhead, making her already stunning features even more striking.
Reginald's steps halted. For the first time, clear surprise flickered in his eyes. "Lucinda?"
Lucinda also froze. She clearly hadn't expected to see Reginald here.
Both of them stood stunned. The corridor went silent for a full two seconds.
"…Reginald?" Lucinda's brow furrowed slightly, her tone carrying rare uncertainty.
"Lucinda." Reginald spoke her name slowly, as if confirming something.
Their eyes met. Both fell silent.
The next second, Reginald suddenly understood.
All this time, he'd been investigating the Origin Oath Crew, but he'd never been able to uncover the true identity of their leader. Everyone who had met the boss kept their mouths shut.
Now, the answer was standing right in front of him.
Reginald's gaze deepened slightly. "So it's you."
His low voice carried a trace of meaning.
Lucinda was silent.
The air turned a little awkward. For once, she had the urge to turn around and leave.
Just a few days ago, she'd had dinner at the Lancaster Estate. And now, she'd been exposed as the newly risen faction leader in Sylvanor.
The feeling was… more than a little awkward.
Lucinda pressed her lips together and looked away expressionlessly. "You've got the wrong person."
Reginald looked at her. The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly. "Is that so? Leader of the Origin Oath Crew."
Lucinda fell silent.
For the first time, she felt like she'd been caught red-handed.
The smile in Reginald's eyes deepened, though he quickly reined in his emotions.
Because now was clearly not the time for small talk.
The two of them walked side by side toward the back area. Neither spoke, but strangely, the atmosphere wasn't as tense as before.
Soon, the backstage door came into view.
They pushed it open. Zev was already sitting on the sofa, waiting.
He'd been lounging with a cigar in his mouth and his legs crossed. But the moment he saw Lucinda's face clearly, he froze. The cigar nearly fell from his mouth.
This beautiful?
He knew the Origin Oath Crew leader was young, but he hadn't expected this young—or this stunning.
That face was so exquisite it didn't seem real. Just standing there, she lit up the entire room.
Zev's eyes went wide. His mind immediately filled with all kinds of inappropriate thoughts.
'So pretty. Maybe I should take her back and make her my wife. No, wait—being a wife is too wasteful. I should keep her by my side every day.'
The more Zev thought about it, the more excited he got. His smile turned sleazy.
Reginald's brow furrowed instantly. His deep eyes turned cold. His hand, hanging at his side, slowly clenched into a fist.
The next second, he tilted his head slightly and spoke into his earpiece, his voice barely audible. "Destroy Zev's data bases."
On the other end, Atlas froze, then immediately caught on. "Yes, sir."
The order was swiftly relayed.
Zev, oblivious, was about to get up and walk over to Lucinda.
But just then, the door was suddenly thrown open. A subordinate rushed in, panic written all over his face. "Boss! We've got a problem!"
Zev's face darkened. "What are you panicking about?"
The subordinate leaned in and whispered urgently into his ear.
As the words fell, Zev's smile vanished bit by bit. His face turned darker and darker. "What did you say? The data bases were attacked?"
The subordinate was drenched in sweat. "Yes…"
Zev was so furious he nearly flipped the table. "Useless! All of you are useless!"
After cursing, he spun around and stormed toward the door. At the threshold, he stopped abruptly and glared at the guards beside him. "Watch them! Don't let a single one escape! I'll deal with them when I get back!"
With that, he left in a rage.
The door closed again. The room fell quiet. Guards stood at the perimeter, watching.
Lucinda and Reginald exchanged a glance. Almost simultaneously, they read the same thought in each other's eyes.
The opportunity had arrived.
Reginald spoke first. "You're here for the materials too?"
"More or less." Lucinda didn't deny it. "And for the girl."
At those words, Reginald's gaze sharpened instantly. "You know her?"
"I do." Lucinda nodded. "She's your sister."
A flicker of surprise crossed Reginald's eyes. "How do you know that?"
Lucinda sighed helplessly. "When I had dinner at your place, didn't your father show me her photo?"
Reginald froze for a moment, then smiled faintly.
Lucinda continued. "And I know her personally. She and I have been through life and death together."
Reginald's expression shifted. "Life and death?"
"Yes." Lucinda didn't elaborate. She simply nodded.
But those few words were enough to explain a great deal.
Reginald was silent for a moment. The tension he'd been carrying in his eyes finally eased slightly.
So during the time his sister had been missing, she hadn't been alone.
At that thought, he felt an odd sense of pride.
That's his sister. Even when lost abroad, she could still befriend someone like Lucinda.
Just then, the communicator in Lucinda's pocket vibrated.
She glanced down. The next second, the coldness in her eyes melted away, replaced by a faint smile.
Reginald noticed immediately. "What is it?"
Lucinda finished reading the message. Her lips finally curved into a genuine smile. "She's out."
Reginald's breathing stopped. "What?"
"Your sister's escaped." Lucinda looked up at him. "She just contacted me."
She quickly typed out a reply.
[I know about the materials. If you've already escaped, don't come back. Head straight to the Origin Oath Crew base. Stay safe.]
The message sent. Lucinda slowly pocketed the communicator.
Her expression remained calm, but the tension in her eyes had clearly lifted.
Reginald had been watching her closely. Seeing that look on her face, the last trace of worry in his heart finally disappeared.
But the next second, something seemed to occur to him. His brow furrowed slightly.
Lucinda noticed his shift. She turned to look at him. "What?"
Reginald was silent for two seconds. His voice was low. "She contacted you."
Lucinda blinked, then realized who he was talking about. The corner of her mouth lifted. "So?"
Reginald's expression was complicated. "Something this serious happens, and she doesn't contact me—her own brother. She contacts you first."
Lucinda said nothing.
The air went quiet for a moment.
She looked at the man in front of her—the feared leader of the Dusk Reign Crew—and detected a trace of something that almost resembled jealousy. She couldn't help but find it a little amusing.