Ch. 2381..2390

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2381-Austin looked around as he sat in the embassy's reception room. Since he was the only one invited, he suspected it was a trap. When he received the invitation, he, Alexander, and Mike were surprised.

Furthermore, Austin was not familiar with the place. After some consideration, they finally decided that he should go. After all, they would not be able to find out what the others were up to if Austin did not go.

Besides, he should be safe since it was an official invitation. Therefore, Austin arrived at the specified time. The guards then searched him for any prohibited items upon entering.

A beautiful woman served him a cup of coffee and left him alone again in the vast room. Austin did not touch nor drink the coffee. Although he wanted to walk around the room, he felt it would be inappropriate.

He looked up and around before noticing two surveillance cameras, wondering what these people were up to. At that moment, he heard multiple footsteps just outside.

Austin remained seated and looked toward the door. A man then opened it and talked courteously over his shoulder to someone else, who then entered.

"Uncle Dom?!" Austin bolted to his feet and could hardly contain his excitement.

He let down his guard and hurried over, throwing his arms around the old man.

“Uncle Dom, why are you here?!"

"Why? Aren't you happy to see me?" Dominic stretched out a hand and held Austin at bay. The former said disdainfully, "I'll leave then.” He motioned to leave, but Austin quickly grabbed his arm. "Come on! I'm thrilled to see you, Uncle Dom!"

"Yeah, right." Dominic frowned but seemed to be in a good mood.

Austin glanced behind his granduncle and asked, "Have they mistreated you?"

Austin looked at Dominic up and down, concerned.

"No, no!" Dominic waved and said dismissively, "Who would dare mistreat me?

I'm fine, all right?"

Austin was relieved to see that his granduncle was in good spirits with no external injuries. After helping Dominic sit down, Austin noticed the door was open with a guard waiting outside. He wanted to go over to close it.

"There's no need. What difference does it make?" Dominic glanced at the surveillance cameras.

Austin thought he was right and then sat down beside him.

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2382 -“We were worried sick when we heard they abducted you. I'm so glad you're okay!"

"Yeah, right! If you were worried, why didn't you come and save me?" Dominic glared at Austin.

"We wanted to, but you're in the embassy. Besides, I doubt you'd let them bring you here against your will." Austin paused for a moment and said, "So you wanted to come, right? To save Lily?"

Dominic said approvingly, "Not bad. You know me quite well."

However, Austin did not show much excitement at being praised as they did not have much time. He asked, "You were the one who invited me here, right?"

Dominic nodded. "They were good enough to grant my request. They wouldn't let me see Alexander, but you, on the other hand…"

He gave Austin a meaningful smile. The latter was not a significant threat to the embassy, so they allowed him to see Dominic. Besides, the embassy monitored the old man and his grandnephew's conversation.

"Granduncle, you—"

Dominic suddenly held up a hand and said solemnly, "Stop talking and listen!"

"What's happening now isn't something you guys can handle. I don't know what you guys have been doing, but your best option is to do nothing."

"You want us to do nothing?" Austin asked in astonishment.

"Yes, what you do won't matter. It's beyond you guys," Dominic said seriously.

"But."

"No buts, okay? Go back and tell Alex what I just said." After a pause, he added, "Anyway, don't worry too much. There will always be someone who can handle it. What you can't do, others can do for you."

Austin was puzzled.

"All right, time's up for us," Dominic said after glancing at the clock.

Rick had allowed him to see Austin, but only within a short time and under constant surveillance.

"Why so soon?" Austin held his granduncle's arm and said eagerly, "Come back with me. What are you staying here for? They can't keep you here!"

The old man cleared his throat and pried Austin's hand away. "Do you think they can keep me here against my will?"

"Then—"

"I want to stay, okay? Just drop it." Dominic did not look like he was forced to stay at all. "Just go back and tell Alexander what I said. Oh, yeah, Lily is fine too.

Don't worry."

"You saw her?" Austin asked despite himself.

"Yes, I see her often. Just don't worry, okay?" Dominic nodded. "Don't get too anxious. When we're done, we'll go back. What we need most is time.

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2383-Austin left the embassy as confused as when he came. After all, he and Dominic hardly talked about anything. On his way back, Austin kept thinking about what the old man said but could not make sense of it.

'What the hell is Uncle Dom trying to say?' he wondered.

Alexander and Mike were waiting in the house. When they saw Austin, they quickly went over. "So? Why did they invite you?"

Worried for Austin’s safety, Alexander even had several men escort him in another car. When Alexander and Mike received news that Austin was on his way back, they were relieved and puzzled because he came out alone.

"Did they threaten you? What else did they say?" Mike asked anxiously, "Was it Rhea? What was she up to?"

Only she could make such an invitation and not do anything to Austin.

"No." Austin shook his head and looked at Alexander. "I met with Uncle Dom."

"Dominic?" Mike was surprised.

Alexander was just as puzzled because he did not expect Austin to see Dominic so easily.

‘Why would the embassy let Dom see Austin?’ "Yeah." Austin nodded. "Well, if you can even call it a meeting."

Mike exchanged glances with Alexander and then looked at Austin. "Why do you look so confused? Tell us what happened!"

Mike and Alexander led him to the living room and poured him a cup of tea.

Austin was thirsty since he did not drink the coffee at the embassy. He blew at the hot tea and drank half of it.

“I met my granduncle, but he told me not to say anything. So, I just listened without telling him much. When I told him to leave with me, he refused and said he had stuff to do.” Austin looked at the bewildered Alexander.

The latter listened intently. Alexander then frowned and said, "So, Dom refused to leave with you."

"Uh-huh." Austin nodded.

"Dom also told you to say nothing and just listen." After a pause, Alexander asked, "What did he say afterward?"

Austin frowned as he tried to recall his conversation with the old man. "Nothing much, actually. Oh, yeah, he told us to do nothing."

"What?!" Mike exclaimed. "Is he under Rhea's control?!"

Austin shook his head. "No, it didn't seem like it. He's lucid, and he explicitly told us not to do anything because the matter is beyond us. However, he also says not to be too anxious because there will always be someone who can handle it.

“What we can't do, others can do for us." Although he repeated Dominic's words, he still could not figure out what the old man meant. "That's why I said I could hardly call it a meeting."

Alexander stopped Austin and asked, "What else did Dom say?"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2384-"Nothing else besides time is needed." Austin shook his head. "He didn't say anything important. Perhaps because we were under surveillance."

"He already told us what we needed to know," Alexander said solemnly.

Austin and Mike were puzzled. They asked simultaneously, “He did?” "What we can't do, others can do for us. Who do you think Dom's talking about?" Alexander asked. Puzzled, the other two shared a look and shook their heads.

"Why did he stress it was beyond us when we already knew it had something to do with the embassy?" Alexander asked.

The other two shook their heads again.

"Because Dominic discovered something important."

"What was it?" Mike and Austin said while sharing a look, surprised to have asked the same thing.

"Dominic has found out that the real mastermind isn't the embassy or Fred but Queen Yasmin."

"But we know that." Austin was puzzled.

"Dominic probably didn't know that we do. Since Queen Yasmin has taken control of everything, he knows there's nothing we can do," Alexander said, "However, he also reminded us that someone could handle it."

"Who?"

"Secretary Rollins." After a pause, Alexander added, "Or should I say the government."

Mike fell silent and then asked, "Do we have to go that far?"

Although he had business dealings with politicians before, he had never dealt with the government directly.

"We have to." As it was the first time for Alexander as well, he looked solemn.

He was still anxious because he did not know what would happen. He would have suffered an emotional breakdown long ago if not for his three children.

Since Lily had been away even before she gave birth to the twins, Alexander missed her very much and was worried for her safety. Still, he knew he had to pull himself together to find a solution.

"Secretary Rollins has been making arrangements, but he couldn't tell us the details." After a pause, Alexander said, "As Dominic said, we need time. And not just us. Queen Yasmin, too."

Austin said, “More like she needs time to complete the experiment, right?

Anyway, she has everything under her control now. What is she waiting for?

Alexander looked up and said, "Fred wanted to make the queen his guinea pig.

What if it's the other way round now?"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2385 -“Queen Yasmin wants to make Fred the guinea pig?" Austin shook his head.

"That's unlikely. I have some knowledge of R10 after working in the lab. They haven't tested the experiment yet because the requirements for the vessels are stringent."

It was not easy to find two compatible bodies. Just like in organ transplants, a match in the bodies' conditions was crucial. Even then, there could still be various reactions, like rejection and so on.

Even if that was the queen's intention, she still needed a suitable vessel for Fred.

"Do you think there isn't one for him?" Alexander asked.

Austin and Mike were puzzled.

"Fred must've found a vessel," Alexander said confidently, "If he hasn't, why would he want Queen Yasmin to test the experiment for him? Why wouldn't he secure a vessel if that was his plan all along?"

The other two caught on.

After some thought, Mike asked, "So now that the queen has taken control of everything, she wants him to undergo the experiment first to make further adjustments to it?” Alexander nodded. "That's right. That's also why Lily is safe for now."

"That's excellent news!" Mike sighed in relief and nodded. "No wonder Dominic mentioned buying time. We still have some left."

"No, we're running out of it," Alexander said, to their bewilderment. He even looked at Mike hesitantly.

Meanwhile, Austin was puzzled as he looked at Alexander and then Mike, wondering what was going on.

Feeling uneasy, Mike frowned as he looked back at Alexander. "What? Just say it."

After a moment of silence, Alexander said, "I received a piece of information from my source. Do you know who Fred's vessel is?"

"Who?" Mike had an inkling of who Alexander was referencing but could not believe it. "Nicky?"

As Alexander was so reluctant to tell him, Mike thought it had to be his son.

Even though he was unwilling to believe it, it was the only possibility.

Alexander remained quiet, but the answer was evident.

"A child?!" Austin found it hard to believe. "Could your source have made a mistake? Fred is so much older than Mike's son. How can they be compatible regarding size and bodily development?"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2386-Austin thought it was pretty unlikely.

"I also hope the info is false, but…"

Still, if the information were not accurate, Alexander would not have told Mike about it.

"So that's why Fred always refused to free my son? They never planned to, huh? All the talk about needing my funds was just a lie!" Mike paled. Although he sounded calm, his voice was shaky.

Even Austin, who had no children, knew how miserable Mike must be feeling as a father. The former felt terrible when he witnessed the virus torment Dominic and his family, not to mention Mike's son was just a child.

Austin slammed the table and roared, "Those sick bastards!"

"So that's why Lily's safe for now, but Nicky is running out of time?" Mike thought he could remain calm after what he had been through, but he simply could not.

"That's correct," Alexander said, knowing Mike had to face the truth. Initially, he did not want to admit Lily's terrible fate, but he still had to. It was Mike's turn this time.

Alexander continued, "Anyway, since they require Nick for the experiment, doesn't it mean that he's still here?"

His words rekindled Mike's hope. He looked up at Alexander and asked, “What are you trying to say?” "Since Fred chose Nick as a vessel, I bet Nick is in the embassy. Even if your son isn't, they're bound to transfer Nick there. That presents a good opportunity to rescue him."

That was a conclusion Alexander made after careful consideration.

"You're right!" Mike nodded. "Let's go rescue him now."

Seeing him bolting to his feet, Austin quickly grabbed his arm. "Are you crazy?

You don't even know where he is. Besides, there are so many people in the embassy. Do you think you can force your way in? Don't be reckless!"

The veins on Mike's neck bulged as he lost control again. "I don't fucking care!

Now that I know Nicky is there, how can I not rescue him? If we wait any longer, they might start the experiment!"

He trembled when he thought about it. Mike could never forgive himself if he failed to save Nick after finding out where he was.

"Austin's right. You shouldn't be rash. They won't begin the experiment yet, and Nick is safe for now. You might put him in danger if you try forcing your way in,"

Alexander said solemnly.

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2387 -Mike said through gritted teeth, “But it'll be too late when the experiment begins."

The thought of his son lying on the cold operating table was too much for him to bear. He could not let such a horrible thing happen to Nick.

'Nicky has been in the embassy's hands for so long, and now this. He probably doesn't even know what dangers he's facing.' "Can you rescue your son if you force your way into the embassy now?"

Alexander asked.

Mike's eyes were bloodshot. "I don't fucking care. I still have to try even if they kill me!"

"Okay, go ahead!" Alexander slammed the table and shouted at Austin, "Let him go!"

"Take it easy, Alex." Austin was shocked. He was also overwhelmed, having to stop Mike and calm Alexander down simultaneously.

"If he wants to go, let him!" Alexander looked at Mike and said, "I've said what's necessary. I'm not stopping him if he insists. We saw how tight the security was in the embassy, not to mention Fred and Queen Yasmin's hidden weapons. Let's see if he can make it through their gate."

He pointed toward the door as he spoke harshly.

Mike fell silent and slowly stopped struggling.

Seeing this, Austin let him go and felt his arms were sore.

With no one supporting him, Mike slumped onto a nearby stool, looking lost. "So I can only stand by and do nothing?"

Alexander understood how he felt and knew it was the most trying time for Mike.

The former frowned and said, “I know it's hard, but you have to wait.

“I've almost completed my arrangements, and Secretary Rollins should have things sorted out as well.

The next one to two days will be the most crucial."

"One to two days?" Mike looked up at him doubtfully. "This has gone on for so long. What can we achieve in one or two days?"

He had almost given up all hope. He had always tried to comfort himself by thinking he had been working hard to rescue his son, including playing along with Rhea and mobilizing all his men to search for Nick.

However, Mike thought all his efforts had gone to waste, knowing Nick might never return. He balled his fists and said with determination, "I'll die to be with my son!"

However, Alexander said, "You won't die, and you can't. You all must treasure your lives, all right?"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2388 -The dim and damp basement had a musty smell as it received no sunlight.

Suddenly, the door opened, followed by the sound of a moving wheelchair.

Hearing it, the man inside looked up.

"Your Majesty, you came to see me." He let out a stiff smile.

Once esteemed by all, the duke was now a prisoner.

Yasmin stopped her wheelchair and quietly looked at the man who had served her for decades.She asked blandly, "Fred, do you regret it?"

"Regret? Do I regret not starting the experiment earlier? Regret not realizing that you were on to me right from the start?" Fred chuckled.

"I lost.What's the point of being regretful?"

Yasmin fell silent for a moment before saying, "So you don't regret betraying me?"

She thought he would reflect upon his actions, but it did not seem so.

Sitting up, Fred habitually smoothed his shirt despite looking unkempt.

"My dear queen, why would I do that? I never betrayed you."

"You never betrayed me?"

Yasmin could not believe he would dare to say such a thing.

"Of course! I only did what you asked,"Fred smiled and continued, "The lab and the R10 experiment are your ideas.When have I ever betrayed you?"

"Didn't you conspire with the officials around me?"

Yasmin narrowed her eyes.

"I was only socializing with them.If you think that's conspiring, I have nothing to say."

"Then why did you hold me hostage?"

"That was for your safety, Your Majesty.I wanted to ensure the experiment went smoothly.Besides…"

Fred sneered.

“ Everything has been under your control, hasn't it? You could have left if you wanted to."

He was naive to assume Yasmin had stupidly handed everything to him because she had gotten old.

As a born leader, she once dealt harshly with those who betrayed or opposed her.

Although she had grown old, she had not gone senile.

Still, Yasmin thought he would repent.

"Fred, how could you still try to justify yourself?"

"I'm just stating the facts.What do you want to hear, Your Majesty? That I'm sorry? I can say so, but I'm not.I never betrayed you, and I only did what you asked.I just…stepped out of line a bit."

He gestured with his fingers as he spoke.

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2389 -"Since you're so loyal, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself, "Yasmin said with a gentle sigh.

"By becoming a guinea pig?" Fred raised his brow, knowing what she was going to say.

"Sure.It's not like I can say no."

"Do you have any other requests?"

Since Fred had served her for so many years, Yasmin wanted to fulfill any reasonable requests he might have.

Fred shook his head.

"You know I have no one.My wife left me long ago, and my children have followed her to another country.I've devoted my whole life to serving you, Your Majesty.I don't have any requests to make now.Oh, yes.After a pause, he said, "If the experiment works and I manage to live on through the boy, I hope you'll give me the chance to serve you again."

His request reignited Yasmin's desire for the experiment and continuation of life to succeed.

Over the last two days, she kept thinking about what Dominic said.

She remembered her life when she was young, when Ross was still little, and when her husband was still around.

It was a wonderful time back then.

Yasmin could not imagine watching her loved ones die if she were to live forever or what would happen if her family continued to procreate infinitely.

The more she thought about it, the more scared she was.

She began to think immortality was not as good as she had imagined.

Yet, Fred's words rekindled her longing for it.

Yasmin could not help but ask, "Fred, do you really think it'll work?"

"Of course!" he said readily.

His gaze was firm without a shred of doubt.

"I went to great lengths to get the formula, and we've researched it for so long.How can the experiment not work? Besides, other similar—"

He stopped talking.

Yasmin narrowed her eyes.

"Yes?"

"Well, although they were different in nature, other similar experiments like the R series did work, didn't they?"

He looked at her and said, "Why are you asking this, Your Majesty? Didn't you always believe it would work? They haven't changed your mind, have they?"

Yasmin did not fall for it.

She asked, "Since you're so confident, why would you want me to try it out first?"

Stumped for a moment, Fred chuckled.

"You've always wanted to achieve immortality, right? Of course, I had to let you do it first."

"You're quite a talker, aren't you?" She sneered.

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 2390-'He always has a retort for everything,' Yasmin thought.

Fred shook his head. "I was just trying to look after you, Your Majesty. I told you Hylanders are cunning and untrustworthy. They must be trying to persuade you to give up the experiment, but you can't fall for it.

"Remember why we've researched the experiment for so long. If you give up now, all our efforts will go to waste!" Fred spread his arms and spoke emotionally, “That's what they want. However, we can rule the world with immortality if the experiment succeeds.

"It'll threaten everyone, including the Hylanders. That's why they don't want us to succeed. Perhaps…" Fred paused and then said slyly, "Perhaps they're conducting a similar research in secret!"

"Is that possible?" Yasmin asked, alarmed.

"Of course! You know Rhea." Fred caught himself. "Oh, yes, what happened to —"

"She's conducting experiments now," Yasmin answered.

Taken aback, Fred caught on and laughed. "See? She doesn't care who she works for as long as it benefits her. This is why I always say Hylanders are untrustworthy! Anyway, there's something I must tell you, Your Majesty. Rhea's researching an invisibility potion."

"Invisibility potion?" Yasmin frowned, hearing it for the first time.

"Yes! Besides her, a secret institution in Hyderland is also researching it. So you see, they're conducting experiments in secret just like us. How dare they tell us to give up. You mustn't fall into their trap!"

Fred continued, "You must understand that I'm a Yudonian, and we share similar goals. That's not the case with Hylanders. You must think it through, Your Majesty."

The queen fell silent.

Fred studied her expression before continuing, "Even though I might die during the experiment, you mustn't stop it. Remember why you started the research, Your Majesty. You shouldn't and mustn't give up for the sake of the nation and the cause."

"It's hard to stop what has already started," Yasmin said thoughtfully, "Fred, are you truly ready?"

She looked at him over her shoulder, her gaze unreadable.

Fred was excited and spirited. "I've long been ready, Your Majesty! You may begin now. I'm willing to sacrifice myself for the experiment!"

Yasmin looked at him intensely, then turned her wheelchair and rolled herself out of the room.

Fred stared after her and let out a fit of maniacal laughter.

After some distance, Yasmin gazed over her shoulder at Fred's room and pursed her lips.