Tom raised his hand, signaling the squad to advance.

The crew approached the villa at a measured pace.

Vivienne and Percival lagged behind, letting the first wave take point before ambushing, quickly followed by the second. It wasn't long before the villa was surrounded.

Inside the villa.

Samantha's eyes snapped open, her hand instinctively touching her face. Sensing something amiss, she bolted up and strode to the mirror. Her eyebrows knitted tightly together at her reflection. Her face was etched with wrinkles. Her skin was aging rapidly.

"Damn it!" she cursed, slamming her palm down on the wooden desk, which splintered under the force. "Another failure."

She had slept all day, yet the lines on her face hadn't softened. ST-1 couldn't stave off her aging.

At this rate, she would die before getting what she wanted.

Samantha composed herself, then dialed a number on her phone.

"Didn't I say no calls unless it's urgent?" a gruff voice snapped from the other end, clearly irked.

Ignoring his tone, Samantha went straight to the point. "Time to develop a new drug. ST-1 isn't cutting it. I think we can start by..."

She stopped mid-sentence, bolting to the window. Seeing the siege outside, her expression darkened.

"What's going on?" the man demanded.

"I've been made."

"Idiot!" he barked.

her voice. "Save your insults. Better hurry if you

but Samantha cut him off

If you don't save me, you can kiss your desires

prepared that she could not even notice the siege beforehand,

man on the other side of the call remained silent as if he were contemplating whether it was worth it to

time, the man finally

turning back to the

and someone was unloading a cart full

blow up the place, she

clearly

had chosen this location for its strategic advantage, using high-tech to cloak the area behind an illusionary barrier. But somehow, Vivienne had found

eyes narrowed as she grabbed an object

she contemplated her next

Percival stood there, their

be first. Thought your mother would beat you to

of mischief. Probably because of her running earlier, a few strands of stray hair dangled before

not needed to handle

think you can take me?" Samantha taunted

smile was bright yet

rattled by Vivienne's confidence and beauty, recovered quickly. "Let's talk. Might be our last chance, nephew and...

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