Chapter 427

"Sienna went instead of you, and everyone thought it was an honor for her," Simon said.

Tears mixed with Elise's low laughter as she stared at the handcuffs on her wrists. "Did you ever think about joining us?"

"Yeah, I did."

"When?"

"Before she became part of my family."

Elise's eyes widened in shock. She lifted her head, her face wet with tears. "So all these years, you've never considered being like us, right?"

"That's right."

"When did your memory come back?"

Elise already knew the answer, but still found it hard to believe hearing it from someone else.

Simon replied, "A long time ago."

Elise's voice trembled, "So all these years how did you manage during those tests?"

"I endured them," Simon said. "I had my endpoint, and I accepted it willingly."

"Willingly."

Elise repeated the word, "Willingly, Simon. What a word! Do you know who you owe your willingness to all these years?"

"I do."

Simon looked at her. "You leaked the information, caused the premature explosion; I know everything."

Elise's lips trembled. "Then why didn't you expose me? Why didn't you take revenge on me? I'm the one who kept you in that hell!"

Simon continued to look at her, and Elise saw pity in his eyes.

He said, "Elise, in that hell, we were all victims. We should stand together. For survival, we may do things we regret, but that place shouldn't breed jealousy."

After he finished speaking, Elise stood there motionless for a long time.

Then, an uncontrollable sob broke the brief silence, and all her emotions erupted with that cry.

Having said what he needed to, Simon turned to leave.

Elise called out to him, her voice still thick with tears, "Simon, I want to eat turkey."

Simon stopped but didn't turn around.

"The year Sienna escaped, you were in a coma and woke up on New Year's Day."

She stared at Simon's back. "He made me become Sienna's shadow. I refused to use her name, so I became Elise that New Year's Day, and we ate turkey together. I want to eat it again."

"Okay," Simon said.

"After the turkey, I'll tell you everything I know," she added.

"Okay," Simon responded again and continued walking out.

"I'm not Elise!"

Elise's voice rang out hysterically behind him. "I hate that name. I hate the code name of the sun. I hate those memories that don't belong to me! I hate everything about Sienna!"

She didn't say the rest.

She hated being powerless, but she felt saying it now was meaningless.

But what was her real name? Elise couldn't remember.

Simon didn't look back; he just sighed softly.

Long ago, she was just one of many children known by their numbers.

Whether it was 10, 30, or 40 to 50, each of these numbers carried a sense of sorrow.

Kelvin and Simon never doubted Sienna's abilities, but they constantly worried about her safety.

Receiving information from Chris, the tension in their hearts eased a bit.

"Alright, we've got some time. Let everyone rest up," Simon said, glancing up at the sky. "I'll check things out. We'll start simultaneously."

Kelvin nodded. "Let Russell go with you. I've had him clear the path, Orville found. Once Sienna gets control of the security room, I'll go in to help her."

Simon frowned slightly. "You're not familiar with that place. I'll go."

"No."

Kelvin shook his head firmly. "To Sienna, you're the most important person in her life. You've done enough. Besides, you need to give me a chance to prove myself. Otherwise, I'll seem useless as her boyfriend."

"Kelvin, we can't afford any mistakes," Simon insisted.

"Of course."

Kelvin assured him, "We've planned this for so long. Emerald City is airtight. Our chief has contacted me, and international colleagues have sent evidence. Finnian's game is over. We can proceed with the arrest; there's no need to wait."

"And I want to meet him."

"Alright." Simon didn't argue further. He checked the time. "I'll head out."

Kelvin escorted him to the door, where Russell was already waiting in the car.

Kelvin stood still. "Take care."

Simon smiled. "Don't worry."

He got into the car and left, while Kelvin sighed softly.

Though Sienna hadn't told him about Simon's condition, if it weren't for Simon, she might not have decided to confront Finnian so quickly.

With her personality, she would methodically trap Finnian until he realized too late that he was caught. That's her innate rebellious nature.

But Sienna's brilliance lay in her ability to adjust her plans according to reality.

Kelvin returned to the police station. The once busy task force had quieted down as everyone prepared for the night's operation or took a rest.

Travis was bringing turkey to Elise.

Kelvin walked to Sienna's desk. With the weather getting colder, the jasmine plant he gave her was down to a few leaves.

He smiled, determined to find a plant that lasts longer next time.

Kelvin lay back in his chair and fell asleep almost instantly, but his dreams were filled with images of Sienna.

Her initial obedient demeanor in the task force, her provocations in the abandoned hospital, her deliberate mistakes.

Their first fight in an alley, her casual wave saying she wasn't used to gifts, her illness, her driving an electric cart in Maple Village...

So many memories that Kelvin couldn't sleep. He opened his eyes, stared at the ceiling for a while, then got up to find Ruben.

The events of the previous day, coupled with his physical condition, left Finnian in poor shape, waking up much later than usual.

Overnight, Finnian's health deteriorated drastically. Tormented by the former Q for years, his body was already failing, but he held on just to see Sloane.