Ch. 2131..2140
Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2131 -“I…do,” Fred answered after a pause.
“You do?” The queen’s voice changed, becoming agitated. “Yet you’ve shown no remorse and continued the experiments behind my back? How long did you plan to keep it from me if I didn’t find out? Fred, what were you thinking?”
She got choked up toward the end as tears welled in her eyes. She was heartbroken and distressed.
Most thought the pandemic was a natural disaster, while others suspected it resulted from bioterrorism or human action. The queen also suspected those things but never expected them to have something to do with her country, let alone the person serving her.
‘The pandemic was a catastrophe for all mankind! Although it has seemingly ended, how many lives were lost due to the pandemic? How many people suffered lingering effects? Countless individuals lost their families and friends to the virus.’
At that time, the queen was also concerned about what would happen or if her body could cope if she got infected. Still, she never imagined Fred to be responsible for everything.
“I’m as heartbroken as you are, but I had no choice, Your Majesty. Experiments like these come with risks and sacrifices.” Fred palmed his chest and continued, “However, if an experiment can create a better future for us, then such sacrifices are acceptable.”
The queen was shocked, feeling like she was looking at a stranger.
“Do you know what you’re saying, Fred? They were my people too. Our relatives and friends! I only wanted to prolong my life for my people’s sake. Now you’re saying their lives don’t matter?”
She shook her head in disbelief.
“You’re being too soft, Your Majesty. That was why I didn’t tell you about it. I knew you couldn’t bear to do it, so I did those things alone.” Fred got to his feet and looked at her.
It was the first time he had stood up without the queen’s command.
He towered over her, cleared his throat, and said, “Your Majesty, I’m trying to say that none of us wanted this to happen. The pandemic was an accident caused by a leak. We tried to solve it back then to minimize its impact on our nation.
“No one wanted the accident to happen.” He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, sighing.
After slowly opening his eyes again, he smiled somewhat creepily. “I know you must be highly disappointed in me, Your Majesty. Still, rest assured I’ve done these things for you and Yudonia. You’ll understand one day.”
“Fred!” The queen looked at him in astonishment. It was rude for him to stand before her as she had to look up at him.
“Fred, do you have any idea what you’re doing? Have you gone insane?”
Fred smiled eerily. “I’ve always known what I was doing. It’s you who doesn’t! You have gotten old and soft. You lack the vigor and decisiveness you once had in your youth. That’s why it’s time for you to regain your youth!”
“Fred!”
“Guard!” Fred suddenly shouted, no longer panicked as before.
The queen was stunned.
Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2132-The queen looked at her guards entering the room as Fred said, “Her Majesty is tired and unwell. Take her to the room, and don’t let anyone disturb her rest.”
The queen was astounded. She said sternly, “How dare you?! Nobody touches me!”
However, Fred waved, saying, “Her Majesty is old and suffering from hallucinations. Don’t mind what she says. We must prioritize her health.”
Then he gestured for the guards to bring the queen to her room.
“You’ve gone insane, Fred! How dare you treat me like this? I’m the queen! Fred!” She shouted desperately. No one had ever treated her like this before.
After receiving no answers from Fred, she turned to the guards and demanded, “Stop! Are you helping him rebel against me?!”
“It’s not exactly a rebellion.” Fred gazed after the queen as the guards took her away. He finally smiled. “However, you’re too old and unfit to run the country, Your Majesty!”
He dropped his fearful pretense and looked arrogant instead.
…
The guards opened the door and wheeled the queen into her bedroom. When they stopped, the guard let go of the wheelchair and turned to leave with the others.
“Are you rebelling against me?” the queen asked.
The guards stopped momentarily and then left without answering. When they closed the door, the queen felt like a bird in a cage. Immediately after, she took a glass from the table and hurled it at the door.
The glass shattered as it hit the door, just like her trust in Fred. She never doubted him because she believed he was her loyal right-hand man. However, that trust had shattered today.
“How does it feel to be betrayed by someone you trusted most?” The woman behind the desk lowered the book she was reading, revealing her thin yet beautiful face.
The still-angered queen looked toward the woman and answered mockingly, “Everything happened as you predicted. You must be pleased with yourself, aren’t you?”
However, Lily said smilingly, “What do I have to feel pleased about? I’ll die soon. Besides, you’re in a terrible situation like me now. There’s nothing to be happy about, is there?”
Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2133-The queen calmed down and looked sad, probably because of Lily’s self-deprecating tone. Maybe it was also because Lily’s words made her realize something.
“I never thought he’d do this to me.”
“Maybe you were just in denial,” Lily said, “He’s served you for many years and is the person you trusted most. I doubt you’d want to think he would betray you.”
Lily knew how it felt to be betrayed by someone. She felt angry, disappointed, and sad when she discovered Mike had deceived her, even though the organization forced him to.
‘Not to mention the queen’s situation. People in power and influence are most concerned about betrayal by those closest to them. Once one breaks that trust, it can be permanent.’
The queen sighed and shook her head. “Why would he do this? My health has been terrible recently, and I’ve relied on his advice. He doesn’t need to—”
“Greed knows no bounds, Your Majesty.” Lily looked at the queen without fear or panic.
“Aren’t you afraid?” the queen asked, “You know what you’re about to face soon.”
“Well, if being scared could fix things, I'd be terrified of whatever's coming. But we both know it can’t.” Lily shook her head and said steadily, “You should be more afraid than me now.”
The queen widened her eyes and laughed, “Me? Afraid of you? Why should I be? I’m the queen, for goodness’ sake!”
“Of course you are. Still, you fear getting old and dying. It’s a problem you’ll be facing soon, and now you also have to face betrayals and the loss of… Well, we’re fearless when we have nothing to lose, right?
“Simultaneously, the more we have, the more we fear losing those things,” Lily said as if chatting with a good friend. However, her words struck the queen as they revealed her true feelings and harsh reality.
“No way!” The queen shouted, “That’s enough of you fear-mongering! You’re just trying to divide us.”
“When did I speak of fear-mongering and divide?” Lily smiled indifferently and approached the queen, saying, “How about betrayal and treachery? I doubt Fred would use those words in your presence, right?”
“Just shut the hell up!” The queen covered her ears and shut her eyes.
“You can choose not to listen, but can you prevent things from happening?” Lily got herself a glass of water, then sat on the sofa.
Hearing nothing, the queen slowly opened her eyes, thinking Lily had left. Yet she was surprised when she looked over her shoulder and saw Lily smiling at her.
The queen gripped her wheelchair’s push rings and said hoarsely, “What’s your point? You’re a prisoner just like me.”
“We’re not exactly in the same situation,” Lily shook her head and said, “I have a chance of leaving, but I’m afraid it’ll be tough luck for you.”
The queen blinked, saying, “Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?”
Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2134-“Do you think it’s over for me while your guards and ministers find a way to rescue you?” Lily asked.
Although the queen did not reply, her expression revealed her answer.
Lily could not escape after Alexander’s two failed rescue attempts, but it was different for the queen. Although Fred had seemingly turned against her, he had prepared the end experiment for the queen’s benefit.
Furthermore, the queen’s ministers and subjects would grow anxious if she did not show up for a long time. That was why the queen thought she was not in a desperate situation.
“Your Majesty, you’re being too naive.” Lily shook her head. “Do you think Fred dared to do this to you because the people here have changed sides?”
“So you’re saying—”
“Do you truly understand him after so many years? Don’t you think he could’ve bought off many of your ministers?”
The queen was stumped.
“Your Majesty, if one of us can make it out alive, it’ll be me. Since Fred has turned against you, there’s no way he will change his mind. He’s burnt the bridges!”
The queen fell silent because she knew Lily was right.
Meanwhile, Fred knew he could not turn back after doing so many terrible things. He would be dead if the queen were to leave the embassy.
“You’re laughing at me, aren’t you?” The queen turned to look at Lily and then gazed at the ceiling, exhausted.
“No. Despite the experiment, I’m not your enemy. I’m also not in a position to laugh at anyone.” Lily spread her arms, indicating she was also a prisoner. “I’m just wondering if you’ll consider working with me?”
She leaned forward while holding her glass of water and looked at the queen earnestly.
The queen was puzzled. “You want me to work with you? Now?”
She chuckled, thinking it was an absurd proposition.
“That’s right,” Lily calmly continued, “Let’s work together to save ourselves.”
“How are we supposed to do that?” The queen seemed to have lost her confidence. “We can’t even walk out of the room now.”
“You don’t honestly think the R10 experiment is to help just you, right?”
Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2135-“Is something wrong with the experiment?” the queen asked softly after hesitating.
Although she looked forward to it, she always felt the experiment might have flaws. However, she knew little about scientific things and did not know what the flaws could be.
Fred always said Lily was bluffing, but it might not be because of what was happening.
“R10’s biggest issue is that it has never been experimented on a living person. Nobody knows its risks or success rate,” Lily explained solemnly, “But Fred has insisted on completing the experiment and even tempted you to try it. Do you know why?”
As if resisting temptation, the queen hesitated before asking, “Why?”
“Because you are the last experiment, Your Majesty.” Lily’s words caused the queen’s ears to ring.
The latter widened her eyes and looked confused. When she finally caught on, she was shocked.
Lily saw the queen’s expression and knew the latter understood what she meant. Lily smirked and casually said, “That’s right. The experiment’s crucial last phase is not me but you.
“You’re Fred’s guinea pig. He’ll know whether or not the experiment will work through you.” She seemed strangely calm when she spoke.
It was as if Lily was talking about an ordinary experiment. She showed no fear, even though she was essential to it.
“As I said, greed knows no bounds. Your Majesty, the experiment was never to serve you from the start. Instead, it was for Fred. If the experiment succeeds, he will use it to prolong his life. Then you’ll become a puppet or…
“Well, I have no idea what else Fred would do.” Lily shook her head because she did not know what else he might be thinking. “However, Fred can always conduct another experiment if this one fails.”
The queen sipped a glass of water from the table, her hands trembling. She tried to look calm and said, “Y-You’re just guessing. You just want to escalate things between me and Fred so that you might have a chance to escape.”
“Do you honestly think that?” Lily walked over and knelt on one knee before looking at the queen. “Your Majesty, you know I’m right, don’t you? After all, anyone can be the ruler of a nation.
“You’ve managed the country well over the past few decades and love your people. I can understand if you struggle to let certain things go at your age. Fred just used you because of it.”
Lily’s tone was warm, as if she was talking to an ordinary older woman, not the queen.
The queen looked at the young lady before her and then sighed. “Even if you’re right and I’m willing to work with you, so what? I’m a hostage like you, so how can I protect you? Also…”
Lily noticed the queen’s hesitation and said, “No, you have a way.”
Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2136 -Lily held the queen’s hand and gazed at her firmly.
The queen was surprised as she shifted her gaze from Lily’s hand to her face. The former chuckled, saying, “Silly girl, what can I do? You said there’s no turning back for Fred.”
“For him, yes, but not you.”
Raising her brow, the queen shook her head. “But you said Fred bought off my ministers. I have no one to command now.”
“Your Majesty, there’s a listening device in the room. I’ve already tampered with it before your return, so don’t worry about it,” Lily said, knowing what the queen was wary of.
This time, the queen did not deny Lily’s claim. Still, the former said nothing as Lily continued, “As long as you’re willing to work with me, Fred can pose no threat to you.”
The queen stared at her briefly before smiling, “Why are you so confident in me? I don’t even know if I can help.”
Since the queen seemed hesitant, Lily slowly got to her feet, saying, “Your Majesty, you’ve been strategizing for your nation for decades. You might be older now, but I’m sure you haven’t lost your sharpness and courage.
“I refuse to believe Fred could do so much under your nose without you noticing. You might’ve tolerated him out of kindness or indulged him on purpose. Therefore, you’re here not because you had to but because you’re ‘willing’ to be here.”
When Lily finished speaking, the room fell into a pin-drop silence.
“That sounds interesting, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Lily looked at the queen deeply, saying, “Your Majesty, I understand your concerns. It’s okay if you’re not willing to admit it. It shows you’re not interested in working with me.”
She sat down and took an apple to eat.
Her calm demeanor amused the queen as the latter said, “You kept talking about working together, but even if I could save us, what’s in it for me? After all, you said the experiment is risky.
“If I choose to undergo the experiment, you can’t escape. On the other hand, I’ll have no use for you if I choose not to.” The queen paused before asking, “So why should I help you?”
Lily raised an eyebrow and took a bite of the apple. After some thought, she said, “Is that what’s holding you back?”
The queen smiled, neither confirming nor denying it.
Lily said confidently, “You’re wrong. No one can help you as I can.”
The queen smiled at her before asking, “Oh, yeah?”
Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2137-“You might not believe it, but I can help. Fred has manipulated you only because he knew what you wanted most.”
The queen’s eyes flickered. “What I wanted most?”
“Immortality.” Lily inwardly sighed as she said that.
Many have obsessed over immortality throughout history. There were always those who sought eternal life, whether emperors or commoners. Some resorted to alchemy, some rituals, and even experiments on human beings.
The queen had listened to Fred and delegated many tasks to him because he knew what she cared about most.
“You’re saying you can help me live forever?” The queen straightened up and tried not to look excited. However, Lily noticed it.
She shook her head, saying, “No, I can’t do that.”
“Y-You little…” The queen felt like Lily had played her like a fool and grew upset. She tried to choke down her anger, saying, “Then why did you say you can help me?”
Lily sighed, “I know you seek immortality, but many have tried and failed. What makes you think you’ll succeed?”
“I…” The queen knew Lily was right but was unwilling to accept it. Such unwillingness made her think she might be the exception despite all odds.
“You know it’s improbable, but you still want to try because you refuse to accept your fate. However, I’m sorry to say that death is the fairest thing in the world.”
Touching on the subject, Lily lamented, “There’s too much unfairness in the world. Some people are born into wealth and prominence, while most struggle for basic needs from birth.
“Some face countless hardships, while others have an easy journey. However, only death is fair to everyone. None of us can escape it, including you, Your Majesty. Still, the world keeps its balance because of death. What would become of the world if we can all live forever?”
Lily spoke passionately, but the queen refused to accept it. She shook her head and said, “Not all of us have to live forever. It’s just me, okay?”
‘If the experiment succeeds, I’ll hold the most advanced technology. How can everyone become immortal since I don’t plan on sharing it? That won’t happen!’
Lily said, “Okay, even if you don’t share it with the world, what about your people? Are they an exception?” Following this thought, she continued, “If your subjects don’t die and reproduce for generations, the world will only consist of your people. What kind of world will that be?”
Lily’s hypothetical questions seemed to stump the queen. After some thought, the older woman murmured, “No, I won’t use it on anyone else.”
“Then who will have access to it, and who won’t? If you only select certain individuals, how can you claim you’re doing it for your people’s sake?”
Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2138-The queen was at a loss for words. She had never seriously considered what would happen if the experiment succeeded.
She had imagined a utopian world where she held the secret to immortality, and others would revere Yudonians. Then her nation would no longer care about other countries, and she would have the final say on everything.
However, the queen never considered how she would govern the world if it became entirely populated by Yudonians.
Lily noticed her stumped expression and said, “Of course, these are hypothetical questions because it’s not going to happen.”
“How are you so certain it won’t? Is there a problem with R10?” the queen asked thoughtfully.
Lily shook her head.
“I’m unsure if there’s any problem with R10 since I created it according to the formula. As I said before, no one knows if it works until we put it to use. However, there were side effects in all previous experiments.”
“Side effects?” The queen frowned as it was her first time hearing such a thing.
“That’s right. Although the previous experiments seemingly worked, they had side effects that caused more harm than good. Fred’s lab worked on highly destructive anti-human experiments. He plans on destroying the world!”
“Are you…trying to scare me?” The queen frowned, looking at Lily up and down.
Lily chuckled indifferently, “Think whatever you want, but I’m sure you know if I’m telling the truth.”
After saying what was necessary, she knew the wise queen would make the right decision.
…
Meanwhile, someone opened a door and stood before a young lady. Rhea looked over her shoulder at the high window. She could see the tree branches and sunlight but not much else.
She neither felt any strain in her neck nor turned around.
“You seem calm, all right,” Alexander said after looking at her intensely.
Rhea smirked and glanced at him, saying, “I knew you’d come looking for me sooner or later. Although later than I expected, you still showed up.”
She looked smug as if she had control of everything.
“Why were you sure I’d show up? What if I’m here to kill you?”
Rhea smiled. “You won’t. The crazy boss or the organization might do so, but you? Not a chance!”
She shook her head and said mockingly, “You’re a law-abiding citizen who’d never kill a human being. Even if you wanted to end my life, you’d go through legal means, won’t you?”
Alexander pulled a chair and sat before her. He said indifferently, “You seem to know me very well.”
Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2139 -“Of course I do. After all, I studied you before.” Rhea revealed a mysterious smile.
“Oh?” Alexander raised his brow, saying, “You studied me?”
Rhea relaxed her shoulders and leaned back. “To be precise, it was the organization that studied you. They probably wanted to work with you or find some leverage over you.”
“Oh, yeah?” Alexander said blandly. He did not bother about their motive and only cared if they planned to harm his family. He narrowed his eyes and said, “Tell me about R10.”
Rhea was surprised that he had changed the subject and glanced at him, asking, “Don’t you want to know why the organization wanted to study you and what they found out?”
Alexander shook his head. “Nope.”
‘What’s the point of knowing what the evil organization was trying to do to me? Besides, who knows if she’s just messing with me?’
Not expecting this, Rhea shrugged and looked somewhat arrogantly at him. “Why should I tell you about it?”
“Well, you can choose not to.” Alexander got up and walked away.
Rhea was dumbfounded and did not know what to do. She feared falling for his trick but did not want him to leave. She saw him closing the door behind him as she hesitated.
Alexander did not even look at her when she anxiously shouted, “Wait!”
He reopened the door when it closed and looked inside the room. “Yes?”
“What is it you want to know?” she asked.
“I thought you didn’t want to tell me.”
“Well, I do now!” Rhea was frustrated that she could not get a handle on him despite the secret she had over him.
‘Fuck! What if he hands me over to the police?!’
Alexander reentered the room and stood before her. He stared at her, waiting for her to talk.
Rhea bit her lips and lowered her gaze. “R10 is about researching immortality. You know about that already, right?”
After some thought, Alexander said, “You’re talking about transferring one’s consciousness from a decaying body to another, or should I call it ‘soul transference’?”
“Yes and no.” Rhea shook her head and continued, “It’s more like consciousness transference. As for whether it’s the soul, that’s hard to say. Nonetheless, besides using R10 as an inducing drug, there was one important step—the cranial surgery.”
“Cranial surgery?” Alexander was shocked because he had never heard about that before.
“Of course. You see, our consciousness is in the brain, so cranial surgery is necessary for the transfer. Meanwhile, R10 is more like a codename for the research, not just the drug.
Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2140-It was not easy for Rhea to gather all this information. After all, R10 was practically a forbidden subject to discuss in the laboratory. She also discovered that even the “boss” knew little about it.
“What else?” Alexander asked, trying hard to sound calm.
“I told you that’s all I know about R10,” Rhea said, “It’s up to you to believe me or not.”
However, Alexander said, “I’m not talking about R10. I’m asking about your creations. Also, will you guys abandon the vaccine development center just like that?”
He had always wondered if the organization would give up on everything and everyone at the facility. After all, many of their creations were still there.
After infiltrating the lab and seeing what they had created, he could not believe the organization would just forsake the place.
‘If they did, then why bother going through all the trouble? Was it just for distraction?’
“I have no idea.” Rhea shook her head with a hint of confusion. It was hard to tell whether she was telling the truth.
“Then what do you know?” Alexander gradually lost his patience. “What about your so-called trump card? What other viruses or drugs have you created?”
“How did you…” She wanted to ask how he knew about her trump card. However, she made a guess and sneered, “Mike told you about it, huh? That fucking loser!”
Alexander raised his brows and did not answer because he did not need to.
“That’s right. I do have a trump card. However, what I have is only valuable to the organization, not you.” Otherwise, Rhea would have used it for bargaining long ago.
“What is it?”
Cocking her head, Rhea sized him up. ‘Finally, I know what you care about now.’
She deliberately chose not to answer and smiled. “Guess.”
Alexander had no mood for games. “It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me. As I mentioned before, I won’t use violence on you or even interrogate you. If you don’t want to tell me, so be it.”
“Just remember that this is your only chance.” He turned to leave.
However, Rhea did not rush to reveal the answer this time. Instead, she gazed after him and said, “What do you mean by my only chance? Will you let me go if I tell you, or are you willing to work with me?”
“Work with you?” Alexander turned around. “Why should I? What can you offer me? You said your trump card is useless to us.”
Rhea slowly got up and asked meaningfully, “What about Lily’s life?”
Her gaze was prideful and confident as usual. However, she also looked tired since she had remained imprisoned for a long time.
“You’re saying you can save Lily?”
“Well, you can choose whether or not to believe me.” Rhea imitated Alexander’s tone and gently raised her hand to reveal a mark on her palm.
Alexander widened his eyes and then frowned when he saw it.