"Michael, it's fine. Just do whatever you can," I snapped, trying to pull him out from his negative thoughts. "Did you tell Sinclair?"
"Of course I told him!" His voice dropped lower, eyes darting back toward the old man who was still by the table, frozen in despair. "I told him this would be our first live test on a dog. I explained that we don't know how it'll react, that every animal responds differently. We've tested smaller animals but—"
"Yes, yes, I get it!" I waved him off, irritation bubbling to the surface. "Just make sure the dog lives, okay? I don't care about the science. That's your department, not mine."
I wasn't interested in the technicalities or the risks. The bottom line was simple: if Sebastian died, so did my chance of getting out of this hellhole.
Michael hesitated, clearly torn between his duty as a engineer and the reality of the situation. I had to hand it to him—the man had guts.
It wasn't often you saw someone stand toe-to-toe with Sinclair, let alone challenge him like this. Most people wilted under the old man's piercing gaze, terrified of his wrath. Enjoy exclusive content from M V L
But here Michael was, essentially telling him that his dog might not survive the procedure. And yet, Sinclair hadn't exploded. He was too focused on Sebastian to even care about the risk.
Still, I had no patience for doubt. "Michael," I said, my voice low but firm, "if that dog dies, Sinclair will break. And if he breaks, so does our deal. I can't afford that, and neither can you. Now, do what you have to do."
He met my gaze, his frustration barely masked, but he nodded. "I'll do my best."
"Michael."
He paused, then he looked over my way.
I stepped forward, my voice soft but filled with determination. "You've got this, Michael. I believe in you. No matter what happens, we're in this together. If you fail . . . we fail together."
He lifted his gaze to meet mine, and for a second, I saw the storm of doubt in his eyes. His brow furrowed deeply, frustration written all over his face as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
A tense silence hung between us until, finally, he sighed—a long, heavy breath that seemed to release some of the tension.
My only chance to escape.
Time was ticking, and the life of that fragile creature was the key to my freedom. If I failed here, I could kiss my escape goodbye.
I didn't know how long I had been trapped in my thoughts, spiraling deeper into the endless possibilities and dangers that lurked ahead.
"You look like you're going to die as well," came a voice that snapped me back to reality.
Startled, I blinked and turned, finding the familiar, strikingly handsome yet serious face of Victor standing nearby, his sharp gaze cutting through the haze clouding my mind.
I rubbed my temples, trying to soothe the throbbing ache building behind my eyes. The tension was gnawing at me from the inside, threatening to break free. "Ah . . . just a lot to deal with lately."
Victor's eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of his mouth barely moving as he asked, "You mean the money?"
I nodded, forcing a smile that felt brittle, exhausted, and entirely unconvincing. "Yeah . . . I've gathered enough now. Finally, I can use it as my ticket—my escape. Once I deposit that money into Sinclair's account, I'll finally be free. Free from all of this."
Victor's expression shifted, ever so slightly—a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes.
Was it pity? Or maybe . . . concern?
My chest tightened. There was something there, something he wasn't saying. His lips parted as if he was about to speak, but he stopped. For a moment, the silence between us felt like a weight pressing down, threatening to suffocate me.
A wave of unease washed over me.
What was it? What wasn't he telling me?
I frowned, instinctively wanting to press him for answers, to shake loose whatever he was hiding. But before I could speak, the lab doors swung open, and Michael emerged, his face pale and drawn, his steps unsteady. He looked beaten, utterly exhausted, like a man who had been through hell and barely made it back.