Chapter 304: A Desperate Gamble

Chapter 304: A Desperate Gamble

The line went dead with a sharp click. Silence descended over the room like a suffocating blanket.

Only now did they understand—everything had been part of Jane's plan. She'd anticipated their every move, including their intention to obtain the serum and gradually wean John off the drug through reduced dosages.

She'd delivered the vials herself, a declaration of absolute victory—even with the serum in hand, they couldn't save John. They could only push him deeper into the abyss with their own hands.

All eyes turned to Sophia. She glanced at Andrew instead. "Your brother. You decide."

Andrew deflected smoothly. "Isn't his life your responsibility now?"

Sophia fell silent.

She hadn't really asked for that responsibility.

Taking a deep breath, Sophia's fingertips traced the contours of the two green ampoules. She lifted her gaze, scanning between Andrew and Brandon. "Either way, we can't just sit here waiting for the worst."

To break free from this nightmare, they'd have to face the demon who created it.

"What's your plan?" Michael asked. Whatever Sophia decided, he would support her without question.

"Remember that biotech lab I invested in years ago? Seabright Biotech, under Pacific Group?" Sophia arched an eyebrow, her mind already working. "After all these years, it's finally going to be useful."

Michael caught on immediately. "You want to use their equipment to run genetic testing on John—see if we can identify the toxins in his system?"

"Worth a shot. It's all we've got right now." She turned to Andrew. "Take one vial to your research facility. Analyze the compound as quickly as possible."

Since Jane had so generously delivered the serum to their doorstep, they might as well make full use of it. If they could reverse-engineer the formula, an antidote might be within reach.

Andrew's eyebrow lifted. "How generous of you to delegate."

Sophia didn't waste breath arguing. She turned to Brandon, her tone softening considerably. "Mr. Wright, it's too late to travel tonight. Let me arrange a room for you at Celestial Peak Hotel. I'll drive you back to Solstice Haven tomorrow."

"Drive me back? Like hell!" Brandon waved his hand dismissively, glaring at her with irritation. "I'm staying right here! If John has another episode, do you really think you can handle it alone?"

Sophia's eyes glistened with gratitude, a small smile touching her lips. "Thank you, sir."

Brandon huffed, flicking his wide sleeves with theatrical pride. "If you'd stayed in Solstice Haven and continued your medical training all those years ago, you wouldn't need me now!"

The barb was aimed squarely at Andrew. Sophia had possessed real talent for medicine. If she hadn't been forced to leave Solstice Haven back then, she would have achieved so much more.

Brandon had only ever taken on one apprentice in his entire life, and even she was only half-trained. How could he not harbor resentment toward Andrew?

"Sir, let's discuss this later." Sophia gently touched Brandon's shoulder, her voice soothing. She shot Andrew a meaningful look. He understood instantly, grabbed one of the vials, and strode out the door.

Brandon shot Sophia a disgruntled look. "Now you're protecting him?"

"Not at all. I'm just worried about your health. Getting upset isn't good for you."

"You little charmer!" Brandon had no defense against his apprentice. After a moment of exasperation, he waved her off. "Fine, fine. Go do what you need to do. I'll stay here and watch over John."

Sophia glanced at Michael. "Stay with him. Harrison will come with me to Seabright Biotech."

"Understood." Michael didn't question her decision. He knew exactly why Sophia wanted him here—Brandon's safety was her primary concern. If John suddenly lost control, Michael would be there to intervene.

Sophia's lips curved into a grateful smile. Michael always understood her without explanation.

She inserted a long needle into John's arm, drawing a vial of blood before sealing it in a cold storage case.

The remaining serum stayed with Brandon. If John convulsed again, they'd use it as a last resort.

Night pressed down like black ink. Two cars departed in opposite directions.

Only once she was on the road did Sophia call Henry.

"Miss, do you ever check the time before calling? It's the middle of the night! Can't this wait until morning?"

Henry's voice came through weary and aggrieved.

Sophia glanced at the car's LCD screen—12:32 AM.

"So what?" She showed no remorse for disrupting anyone's peaceful evening. "If I'm not mistaken, you're still at the office anyway, aren't you?"

Henry sighed. "What do you need?"

"Access clearance for Seabright Biotech."

"You're a major shareholder. Why do you need clearance? Just show up tomorrow."

"Now."

Henry had been working all day and was genuinely exhausted. At Sophia's request, he scratched his head in frustration. "What on earth are you testing in the middle of the night?"

"Blood. Genetic analysis."

"Fine. Lab 10 still has people working. I'll have someone open the side entrance for you."

"You're not going to ask what this is about?" Sophia raised an eyebrow, surprised by his easy compliance.

Henry casually flipped a page in the document he was reviewing. "Sometimes knowing too much is dangerous."

In their world, asking too many questions was the quickest way to get burned.

"Thanks." Sophia ended the call.

Harrison gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles white. Through the rearview mirror, he watched Sophia in the back seat clutching the cold storage case, his expression heavy with concern. "Miss, if this is Jane's trap—"

"Then we'll walk right into it and see what happens." Sophia's voice was cold as ice. "If Jane wanted John dead, she wouldn't have gone to all this trouble to send medicine."

Seabright Biotech blazed with light. Professor Ernest Bennett was already waiting at the side entrance. The moment he spotted Sophia, he hurried forward. "Ms. Johnson arranged everything. The gene sequencer is warmed up and ready."

Inside the lab, precision instruments hummed softly. Sophia and Harrison took seats along the wall, careful not to accidentally interfere with the equipment.

"Can you detect genetic abnormalities?" Sophia's eyes locked onto the data streaming across the screen.

"It takes time." Professor Bennett adjusted the parameters. Suddenly, he gasped, his voice sharp with shock. "This... this gene sequence is completely abnormal! Has the subject been injected with controlled substances?"

Sophia hesitated briefly before nodding. "Yes. His body has undergone albinism."

Professor Bennett's frown deepened, his expression complex. "Standard drugs don't cause genetic mutations. This level of alteration indicates irreversible damage to the subject."

Meanwhile, in Andrew's research facility, the analysis results were equally disturbing.

Through the video call, his researcher pointed at a molecular structure diagram. "Based on composition, this is a neurological agent designed to destroy autonomous consciousness. It also contains massive quantities of prohibited chemical compounds that cause severe bodily harm."

"Speak in plain language." Andrew's cold gaze cut through the screen.

The researcher trembled, simplifying quickly. "This isn't for treating mental illness. It's designed to alter consciousness. Combined with hypnosis, it could cause catastrophic neurological damage. Like... like what happens to Mr. John during his episodes."

Sophia's skin prickled with goosebumps. She didn't dare imagine the full scope of Jane's malevolent intentions.

"Remember that document you found in the basement of the Bogart Museum?" Andrew's voice cut through the silence, his eyes darkening. "Jane's 'White Dove Project' never stopped."