Chapter 197

Two hours later, Alexander pushed open the creaking door.

Two armed men stood waiting outside, their weapons glinting in the dim light.

"Not bad, Blackwood. The woman still conscious after all that time?" one sneered, nudging his companion.

Alexander's lips curved into a thin smile. "What do you want?"

"Donovan sent us. Wants to know if you're done with her. If so, we'll take her to his quarters."

A shadow crossed Alexander's face. He glanced back into the room before responding, "I'll bring her myself."

The men exchanged glances before shrugging. "Fine."

Alexander hesitated, then turned and disappeared back inside. Moments later, he emerged, dragging Evelyn by the arm.

Her hair was tangled, her clothes rumpled. She lifted her gaze toward the sky, her heart pounding with fear.

Would Alexander really help her escape? She could only pray Liam had received her message and was already searching for her.

Outside the wooden shack, Donovan's eyes gleamed as he watched Alexander haul Evelyn toward him. A smirk twisted his lips.

"How was she?" he asked, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

Alexander gave a casual shrug. "Pleasant enough. Thanks for the favor."

Donovan adjusted his belt with a grunt. "My turn now."

Evelyn's stomach twisted with revulsion.

Alexander's expression darkened. He hesitated before speaking. "There's something more valuable than just having her, Donovan."

"Oh?"

Alexander glanced at Evelyn, noting the way she trembled, her forehead slick with sweat.

He spun a lie on the spot. "Turns out she's a chemist from Solterra. She can fix that contaminated batch we've been stuck with."

Donovan's eyes widened. "Seriously?"

"Let her try," Alexander suggested smoothly.

Donovan didn't hesitate. Rubbing his bald head excitedly, he barked, "Take her to the lab."

Evelyn was marched into the warehouse.

The sheer scale of the drug operation left her speechless. Anger burned in her chest.

How many lives would this poison destroy?

In the makeshift lab, Donovan pointed to a bag of white powder. "Fix this."

Evelyn steadied herself. "I don't use drugs."

"Not asking you to. This batch is unstable—explodes on contact with water."

To demonstrate, he tossed a handful into a nearby cup. The liquid instantly erupted in violent bubbles before detonating with a sharp pop.

Everyone flinched back—except Evelyn.

Fascination overtook her fear. She stepped forward, scooping a pinch of powder between her fingers.

The substance grew warm against her skin, emitting faint wisps of smoke.

She'd never seen anything like it.

A thrill of scientific curiosity surged through her, momentarily eclipsing her terror.

She rubbed the powder harder, wincing as it burned her fingertips red.

Inhaling this would be lethal.

"How much is there?" she asked.

"Two tons," Donovan replied.

Disgust churned in her gut.

"Get me a microscope."

One was produced immediately.

Evelyn bent over the equipment, her focus absolute. The room watched in silence as she worked.

Someone murmured, "She knows what she's doing."

The game had changed.