Chapter 653 Concealment

Chapter 653 Concealment

Zoey returned to the lab and called a meeting with Ruben and Juliette.

At this point, only the three of them knew about the successful development of the H5 serum.

"We need to keep this news under wraps for now," Zoey said, her face hidden behind a mask. She was speaking to them as Dr. K.

Ruben looked puzzled. "Why?"

"I have plans for the H5 serum. I need to leave for a couple of days. We'll discuss this further when I get back."

"Since you were the one who came up with the core concept for the H5 serum, we'll follow your lead. But when will you be back?" Ruben asked.

Zoey thought for a moment. "No more than three days."

"Alright, we'll wait for your return."

After saying goodbye to Ruben and Juliette, Zoey set off with the H5 serum. 

The serum had originally been developed for her mentor, and now it was time to deliver it.

At the castle, Irene had just returned and ran into Caspian. He looked her up and down. "How did the information gathering go?"

"I was just about to report to the mentor."

"The mentor's been in a bad mood lately. If you have good news, congratulations. If not, you're on your own," Caspian said with a smirk, clearly enjoying the thought of Irene's potential misfortune.

Irene made her way to the deepest part of the castle where the Venom Elder resided. 

Two tall men stood guard at the entrance, blocking her path.

"I need to see the mentor," Irene said, frowning slightly.

"Wait here," one of the men replied.

Irene rolled her eyes. 

This wasn't her first time here, but every visit required an announcement before she could enter. 

She wondered what they were so cautious about.

After about five minutes, one of the men returned. "You may go in."

Irene pushed the door open and entered. The Venom Elder was sitting on the couch, swirling a glass of red wine. "You're back."

Irene approached him respectfully. "Mentor, I have news."

"Speak."

"The H5 serum has indeed been successfully developed, but it hasn't been announced yet. Also, it's said that Dr. K handed the serum to Zoey."

A soft cracking sound filled the room as the Venom Elder's wine glass shattered in his hand.

Irene held her breath.

"Such a loyal disciple," he said calmly.

"I'll take people to intercept her," Irene offered. 

The Venom Elder was determined to obtain the serum and wouldn't let Zoey deliver it successfully.

But to her surprise, the Venom Elder refused. "You won't be able to stop Zoey."

Irene frowned. "But we can't just watch her deliver the serum to Saul."

Both the Venom Elder and Saul suffered from the same genetic disease, but Saul's condition had progressed further, making him weaker. 

This had given the Venom Elder an advantage in their ongoing rivalry. The H5 serum could tip the scales in Saul's favor if he received it.

"I'll go myself," the Venom Elder said, standing up and adjusting his clothes.

"I'll go with you to protect you," Irene insisted.

"Of course, not just you. Everyone will go," he replied.

Irene was puzzled. "Isn't that overkill?"

She believed that if her mentor took action, he would surely succeed in stopping Zoey. Why bring so many people?

"You don't understand. Zoey is cunning. She managed to outsmart the Institute for Global Strategy and Analysis. Do you think she's simple?" the Venom Elder explained.

Irene fell silent.

"I'll gather Caspian and the others," she said.

"Just you and Caspian will do," he replied.

"Understood."

A group quickly assembled at the castle entrance. Caspian shot Irene a cold look. "Useless."

Irene retorted, "At least I'm better than someone who lost miserably to Zoey in their only encounter."

Caspian's expression darkened. His previous defeat had brought him much criticism, even from Irene.

"She won't be so arrogant for long. With the mentor personally involved, do you think Zoey can survive?" Caspian sneered.

"That's not certain," Irene replied.

Caspian glared at her. "Do you know what you're saying?"

Irene remained expressionless. "We've never won against Zoey. You should know her capabilities better than I do."

He couldn't argue with that.

"But we're different with the mentor," Caspian insisted.

Irene said nothing.

As they spoke, the subordinates around them fell silent. The Venom Elder had arrived.

He was dressed in light, practical clothing. "If this mission succeeds, I'll teach you both a new poison technique," he said warmly.

"Thank you, mentor," Irene and Caspian said in unison.

The Venom Elder got into a car, followed by the others. Ten cars in total, they set off in a convoy.

Meanwhile, seven white sedans left the Phillips Family estate, heading in different directions.

Irene quickly received the news. "Mentor, this is likely a diversion to throw us off."

"Do we know which car Zoey is in?" the Venom Elder asked.

"We can't be sure. They all left the Phillips Mansion at the same time, and the area is heavily guarded. Our people couldn't get close enough to see which car she got into," Irene explained.

"Zoey's car is specially modified, extremely sturdy. She couldn't have prepared so many identical cars in such a short time," Caspian mused.

"So instead of identifying which car she's in, we should identify her car," Irene suggested.

"Exactly. With such an important serum, which car do you think she'd choose?" Caspian asked.

Irene thought for a moment. Caspian's reasoning made sense. If she were in Zoey's position, she'd choose the sturdiest car.

"So we just need to find her car," Caspian said confidently.

"Mentor, what do you think?" he asked.

The Venom Elder nodded approvingly. "You've improved. Let's do as you suggest."

"Send seven people to chase the seven cars. When you get the chance, ram them," Caspian ordered.

It was a simple, brutal plan, but effective. Ramming the cars would reveal which one was Zoey's.

"Tell them that if anyone dies during this mission, I'll ensure their families are taken care of for life," the Venom Elder added.

"Understood. I'll arrange it."

Seven white cars headed in different directions. The Venom Elder got out of his car and spoke to Caspian. "I need to go somewhere. This mission is in your hands. Once you identify the target, stop the car immediately."

Caspian and Irene exchanged glances. No one knew where the Venom Elder was going, and they didn't dare ask.

"Understood," Caspian replied.

The Venom Elder left in a separate car. Irene sighed as she got back into her car.

Caspian mocked her. "Are you that scared of Zoey?"

"Do you have any confidence?" she shot back.

She didn't believe Caspian was more confident than she was. At least she had combat skills to rely on. 

Caspian, with his brains, was less useful in a physical confrontation.

"We'll see," Caspian said.

Meanwhile, a high-speed chase was unfolding on the road.

On a highway outside the city, a white sedan weaved through traffic at an alarming speed, its engine roaring.

In the rearview mirror, a black sedan followed closely, relentless in its pursuit.

The black sedan had been chasing the white one for 20 minutes, refusing to give up.

The white sedan suddenly swerved, its tires screeching as it slipped between two trucks.

The black sedan reacted a moment too late, nearly crashing into the back of one of the trucks. 

The driver slammed on the brakes, the car swerving violently before stabilizing, losing ground to the white sedan.

"This car is a beast!" the black sedan's driver growled, flooring the gas pedal. The engine roared even louder.

But the white sedan seemed to anticipate his moves, accelerating sharply and kicking up dust that obscured the black sedan's view.

The speedometer needle climbed to its limit.

The white sedan's ride was smooth, barely a bump, clearly a top-tier modified vehicle.

"That's definitely Zoey's car," the black sedan's passenger said into a radio. "No other car could perform like this."

Ahead, a series of sharp turns loomed. The white sedan didn't slow down, drifting through the curves with precision.

Gravel kicked up by its tires pelted the black sedan's bumper.

"I won't let you get away!" the driver cursed, slamming the gas pedal down.