The Raven narrowed his eyes, his gaze shifting back to The Panacea's slender, pale hands as she wielded the needles.
That technique was truly beyond compare.
He let out another chilling, sinister laugh. "Not only can she read Asset 07's chip logic, but she also managed to sever the highest-level target recognition and suppress the mutation of The Synaptic Genome in such a short amount of time..."
"She is quite the prodigy."
The Raven slowly stood up and walked toward the monitors.
Staring at The Panacea's face up close, the fanaticism and malice in his eyes grew even stronger. "Thirty years..."
"Other than that old relic Aria Wynn, someone else can actually suppress The Synaptic Genome this flawlessly."
The Raven raised a hand, his fingertip tracing The Panacea's features through the glass of the screen. "If someone like this cannot be used by our organization..."
"Then let her become Asset 14: The Perfect Subject."
The subordinates around him naturally understood his meaning.
If a talent like her couldn't be brought into the fold...
Then she would inevitably become their enemy.
And they would never allow any unexpected variable to threaten their plans.
The technician hastily bowed his head. "Yes, My Lord Raven."
The Raven stopped looking at Asset 07.
His gaze shifted to another screen.
It showed the brief exchange of glances between Serena and Fenris as she left the exhibition hall.
He sank back into his chair, his eyes darkening. "Also, send someone to secretly keep an eye on Fenris's crew."
He couldn't shake the feeling...
That the dynamic between Fenris and The Panacea was a bit off.
The Panacea was currently a talent they wanted to recruit, so they wouldn't do anything to alert her just yet.
After all, her temper was notoriously difficult to handle.
So, they would start by monitoring Fenris.
To see if there was anything unusual about this foreign mercenary squad.
"If you notice anything suspicious, execute them on the spot before we reach Whitecliffe Harbor."
"Yes, My Lord Raven."
Meanwhile.
Nicholas kept his arm firmly around Serena's waist as they headed up to the top-tier luxury suite on Project Zero-Transit.
The heat of the man's palm seeped through the thin fabric of her dress, burning against her side.
Serena leaned into his embrace, letting him guide her through the long, opulent corridors.
Along the way, the ship's staff kept their heads bowed, not daring to cast a second glance.
One was a top-tier buyer on this voyage whom absolutely no one could afford to offend. The other was The Panacea, who had just saved The Sterling Sovereign's life and subdued Asset 07 in front of a crowd.
When these two walked together...
Who would dare stand in their way?
Who would dare ask questions?
The door to the top-tier suite slowly clicked shut.
With a soft thud, it severed all prying eyes from the hallway.
The moment the door closed, the two exchanged a look.
This room was rigged with the ship's highest-grade surveillance equipment.
And definitely in more than one spot.
A flash of coldness darted across Serena's eyes.
But she didn't show it on her face. Instead, she curved her red lips, reaching out to
swat away Nicholas's hand from her waist.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she took half a step back.
The girl lifted the corners of her eyes, her pale, alluring face breaking into a greedy, almost maniacal smile "Mr. Sterling Sovereign, if the payment isn' to my satisfaction will personally... drag you right back to Asset 07."
Nicholas watched her ruthless little act and let out a low chuckle.
He grabbed Serena's hand again, giving it a hard tug and pulling her right back into his arms.
Caught off guard, Serena bumped against his solid chest, her senses instantly flooded with his clean, crisp scent.
"On that front, Ms. Panacea has absolutely nothing to worry about."
The man dipped his head, his deep, magnetic voice brushing against her ear. His tone was husky and deeply intimate.
It carried the innate arrogance of a top-tier billionaire. "If there's one thing I, The Sterling Sovereign, have an endless supply of, it's money."
"Is that so?"
Serena clicked her tongue softly. She pressed a hand against his chest and gave him a hard shove.
Following the momentum, Nicholas fell backward, sinking into the plush leather sofa behind him.
A breathtakingly radiant smile bloomed on the girl's pale, brooding face.
Then, she propped one knee up, pressing dominantly between his legs, and stared down at him from above "Since my Patron isnt facking in funds then let's... have a proper chat about my compensation."
"Name your price," Nicholas breathed, his breathing growing noticeably heavier. He
stared up at her with dark, smoldering eyes, his voice incredibly raspy.
Serena smirked and lazily threw out a number.
It was an astronomical figure that would make anyone's jaw drop.
Even a seasoned top-tier buyer in the underground market would likely hesitate.
Yet Nicholas didn't bat an eye.
Looking exquisitely relaxed, he kept his deep captivating gaze
entirely on her without a second of hesitation. "Done."
Serena raised an eyebrow. "That quick?"
Nicholas chuckled. "Ms. Panacea saved my life. My life... is worth that price."
"Of course... more importantly, Ms. Panacea is worth that price." Those words clearly pleased Serena, and the smile in her eyes blossomed instantly.
Leaning down, she hooked a slender finger around the man's dark tie, brought her
red lips close, and planted a firm, deliberate kiss right on his cheek.
"Muah~"
The sound of the kiss was exceptionally loud.
"Just as expected from The Sterling Sovereign~" she laughed, her voice sultry and enticing. "I love doing business with someone as straightforward as you."