Chapter 484: Genesis Plan, Catching Turtles in a Jar

Chapter 484: Genesis Plan, Catching Turtles in a Jar

The air in the private room froze at the words "Genesis."

Graham seemed to have shed a burden that had weighed on him for twenty years. His whole body collapsed into the chair, but his account continued, his voice hollow, carrying the numbness of a survivor.

"She wasn't satisfied with Gordon's 'Phoenix Project.' The 'Phoenix Project' was just individual modification, version 1.0. What she wanted was mass production."

He projected the contents of the flash drive onto the wall screen. It wasn't a simple list, but file after shocking file. Behind each name were detailed personal information, financial status, and their level of participation and investment in the "Genesis Project."

"The vice president of Emerald City Bank, responsible for laundering her overseas funds."

"The head of a media group, responsible for controlling public opinion. Any negative news about genetic ethics would be suppressed immediately."

"And him, the number two in the health system, providing official protection for her secret labs. All prohibited drug approvals got the green light from him."

On the screen, faces commonly seen in business and news, faces that looked respectable, were now revealed as the devil's partners. They were the nodes in Candice's vast web, the investors in her "Genesis" project.

"Why would they do this?" Sophia's voice was soft.

"For 'evolution.'" Graham forced an ugly smile. "Candice promised them that the first batch of successful 'Genesis' spots would go to them and their descendants first. Who wouldn't want their children and grandchildren born without fear, incapable of betrayal, with absolute rationality and execution power? Who wouldn't want a perfect tool forever loyal to their family?"

This was no longer just about pursuing immortality or wealth. This was the most fundamental betrayal and usurpation of the human species itself.

"Split up."

Nicholas finally spoke, breaking the sickening silence. He stood up and walked to the screen, his dark eyes showing no emotion, only precise calculation.

"These people, their companies, their money trails—leave them to me."

He took out his phone and, without even dialing, sent a few brief instructions. The Martinez Group's intelligence department and financial team would descend like sharks smelling blood, targeting each person on the list with precision.

Graham looked up at Nicholas.

"What do you need me to do?"

"Return to your ghost identity." Nicholas's order was clear and direct. "I need to know the real-time progress of the 'Genesis Project' core lab, especially the handover details for that batch of 'stabilizers' in three days. Down to the second."

This was like asking him to return to hell. But Graham didn't hesitate for a moment.

"Okay."

One word—his redemption for twenty years of absurd life. He stood up, said nothing more, pulled open the door, and his figure quickly disappeared into the teahouse's deep corridor, slipping back into darkness.

Only Sophia and Nicholas remained in the room.

Sophia walked to the screen, her fingertip pointing to an inconspicuous corner. It was a technical cooperation memo signed between Candice and an overseas company.

"Aeterna Biotech." She read the name aloud. "Eternal Biotechnology. This company suddenly rose five years ago, famous for anti-aging and gene repair technology, but their core technology has always been a mystery."

"Big Cat." Nicholas immediately understood and connected to the encrypted line.

"Nicholas! Those people on the list—I've already started 'visiting' their company networks one by one! Their firewalls are as fragile as paper. I can dig up all their secrets!"

"Check Aeterna Biotech." Sophia took over. "I want all financial transactions, emails, call records between it and Candice, and all their unpublished research projects."

Big Cat went quiet for a moment on the other end, then came the sound of furious keyboard typing.

"Got it! I'll dig up this company's entire history!"

After cutting the communication, Sophia turned and locked eyes with Nicholas. The enemy's map was now clear—a web woven from money, power, and insane ambition. To tear it apart, working in the shadows alone wasn't nearly enough. There had to be a trigger to draw all the snakes hiding in the dark into the sunlight.

"What are you planning to do?" Sophia asked.

Nicholas didn't answer immediately. He walked to the window, looking at Emerald City's bustling night scene outside—flowing traffic, flashing neon lights. Beneath this peaceful surface, a storm capable of overturning everything was brewing.

"Hello." He dialed an internal line.

"Mr. Martinez."

"In the name of the Martinez Group and the Anderson Group Foundation, three days from now, at the art center, host a charity gala. Theme is 'Protecting the Future,' raising funds for children's healthcare in remote areas. Send invitations to everyone who's anyone in Emerald City. Especially the Bennett family, and everyone on this list—make absolutely sure they attend in person."

The assistant on the other end didn't ask why, just replied solemnly, "Understood."

After hanging up, Nicholas turned around.

"A gala?" Sophia immediately grasped his intent. "You want to catch them all in one net."

"No." Nicholas walked up to her. "I'm giving them a stage so they can walk onto the guillotine themselves."

This was a trap disguised as a feast. A public trial masquerading as charity. Before all of Emerald City's elite, he would personally tear off Candice's noble mask and expose her and her accomplices' ugly faces under the spotlight.

Sophia's heartbeat quickened beyond her control. This wasn't fear—it was excitement. The trembling excitement of a hunter finally seeing prey walk into the trap. She was no longer the hunted phoenix. She would ignite this fire and show all of Emerald City what it looked like when a phoenix's fury burned.

"I need a weapon." Sophia said. She looked at Nicholas, her beautiful eyes burning with the flames of vengeance. "A weapon that will leave Candice unable to argue before everyone."

Nicholas raised his hand and gently brushed her reddened eyes.

"The weapon will be delivered to you soon."

...

The next day.

Beautifully crafted invitations flew out from the Martinez Group, swiftly delivered to the hands of Emerald City's elite and powerful families. On white cardstock, gold-embossed letters spelled out the gala's theme—"Protecting the Future." Words full of warmth and positive energy, yet like death warrants.

At the Bennett Villa.

Candice held the light piece of cardstock, maintaining an elegant smile on her face, but her knuckles turned slightly white from gripping too hard.

"Nicholas... Sophia... so they've found out after all."

She murmured the two names softly, as if savoring delicious prey.

"It seems my little phoenix is finally ready to spread her wings."

She casually tossed the invitation onto the table and picked up the phone.

"Pass the word—the final phase of the 'Genesis' project moves up. I can't wait to see whose flames burn brighter: hers, or my new world coming faster."