Chapter 99 Made Him Talk
[Nyx]
"Who did it?" My voice was ice-cold.
"I don't know! Patrick arranged it himself! He just told me not to answer Diana's calls that day, to make sure I had an alibi." Raymond trembled all over. "Three days after the crash, Patrick gave me five million dollars, said it was 'hush money and startup capital.'"
"Then we restarted the project. Patrick drafted the new proposal, I was responsible for submitting it to Karl Verdant."
"My father approved it." My voice turned complex.
"Yes." Raymond nodded painfully. "Karl read the proposal, saw the budget details, saw the 'human subject acquisition' line item... he approved it. He wrote in his notes 'human resources are abundant and renewable.' He knew what we were going to do, Chairman. He completely knew."
"He just didn't know Diana was murdered." I stated.
"Right. Karl thought Diana's death was an accident. He thought this project was mine and Patrick's new proposal, unrelated to Diana." Raymond's voice grew smaller. "If he knew we killed Diana... he might have killed us. But the human experimentation itself... he didn't care. He just wanted stronger warriors."
I fell silent for several seconds.
"What did Patrick Raven do at Phoenix Lab?"
"I don't know all the details." Raymond said quickly. "He wouldn't let me go there. But I know he built a massive facility with dozens of cells specifically for holding humans. He kidnapped people from everywhere—homeless, illegal immigrants, missing persons... people who wouldn't be tracked."
"Then he kept them like blood bags. Regular extractions, plasma harvesting, for Apex production." Raymond's voice carried suppressed fear. "Patrick said this was 'the most efficient stabilizer source.' He said each human could be used continuously for six months to a year, then... then disposed of."
"Disposed of?" My voice grew colder.
"Dumped in the ocean." Raymond closed his eyes. "Patrick said the sea would destroy all evidence."
Dizziness washed over me. I gripped the desk edge, nails again digging into my palm.
Dozens of people.
Kidnapped. Imprisoned. Used as blood bags. Then dumped in the ocean.
And all of this stemmed from Mother's research.
"Where is Patrick Raven now?" I forced myself to stay calm.
"I don't know... his whereabouts are unpredictable, he rarely contacts me." Raymond's voice shook. "Last news was he was at Phoenix Lab. But that was a week ago."
"Does he have other hideouts?"
"Maybe, but he never told me." Raymond said urgently. "Chairman, I've told you everything! I swear, everything I said is true! Please don't—"
"Enough." I suddenly stood.
I pulled out the recording device and placed it on the table. The red indicator light had been flashing the whole time.
"This conversation has been completely recorded." My voice returned to ice-cold calm. "Tomorrow Legal will come for your formal statement. Every word you just said will become court evidence."
Raymond froze, then his face turned deathly gray.
"You... you recorded it?"
"Of course." I pocketed the recorder. "That's why I came. To get you to personally confess to murdering my mother, confess Patrick Raven's crimes, confess Phoenix Lab's truth."
I picked up the silver blade, carefully wiped it clean under Raymond's terrified gaze, then returned it to my pocket.
"Your wound will heal." I turned toward the door. "But that scar will follow you for life. Every time you see it, you'll remember tonight. Remember what you did to my mother."
I pushed open the door. The officer immediately appeared outside.
"He's ready to sign a statement." I said calmly. "Legal will come tomorrow. Make sure he lives until then."
The officer glanced at Raymond's tear-stained face and bleeding hand, then nodded.
I walked out of the detention center. Cold wind hit my face.
I took a deep breath, feeling Sylva growl inside me.
Patrick Raven.
A man so mad for science he committed murder.
He will pay the price.
---
Three AM. Eclipse building rooftop.
I stood at the roof's edge, cold wind whipping through my hair, bone-chilling cold penetrating my suit jacket.
The recording device was clenched tight in my hand. Raymond's confession was enough.
The truth about Diana's murder.
Patrick Raven's madness.
Phoenix Lab's hell on earth.
And evidence that Karl knowingly approved funding to kidnap humans and forcibly extract their blood.
But here, at this deserted height, I finally allowed myself to break.
Mother was murdered.
Murdered by a mad scientist and a greedy CFO working together.
Because she upheld medical ethics. Because she refused to exploit humans. Because she chose what was right.
Then she died.
And Father... Father knew this project meant kidnapping humans, using them as blood bags, yet still approved eight million in funding.
Because he only cared about Moonblade's power. Because he believed "human resources are abundant and renewable."
Tears fell, scattered by the wind. I felt my legs weaken. I sank to my knees on the rooftop, hands gripping the railing tight, icy metal burning into my palms.
"Mom..." My voice broke in the wind. "You did the right thing... but they killed you... and I... I was too late..."
Five years. A full five years thinking Diana's death was an accident.
The truth was, Diana was murdered simply for refusing to go along.
Enough. Sylva growled in my mind. Crying changes nothing. Now, we make everyone pay.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to stand.
Yes. Self-blame and grief were meaningless.
Now, I had to ensure Diana's death wasn't in vain.
Had to make Raymond, Patrick Raven, and everyone involved in this conspiracy pay for their crimes.