Inside the research lab of Black Dove Pharmaceutical Factory, raindrops trickled down the glass windows, distorting the view outside.
The rhythmic sound of rain filled the quiet room.
Shiho's blue eyes narrowed slightly.
It's raining.
The storm had arrived sooner than expected.
Which meant—the time had come.
She removed her gloves and stretched, her posture fluid and unrestrained, like a bird on the verge of breaking free from its cage.
Every fiber of her being radiated the brilliance of liberation.
Even the white lab coat draped over her shoulders couldn't conceal her proud, graceful figure.
For a brief moment, a flicker of excitement crossed her face.
But it lasted only a second.
Regaining her composure, she returned to her usual calm, analytical state.
Her extraordinary intellect refused to let go of this place so easily.
If she still had access to the organization's systems, she might as well take something valuable with her.
Something useful for that annoying guy.
With that thought in mind, she turned toward the research lab's computer.
Her fingers danced across the keyboard, typing with precision and urgency.
Within moments, she was inside the organization's intranet, bypassing firewalls and navigating classified files.
She didn't just download the research data on APTX—
She took everything she could get her hands on.
Artificial intelligence projects, exoskeleton weapon designs, biochemical experiments…
These weren't just files.
They were priceless assets.
If she sold this information to the right buyers, the wealth she'd acquire would be immeasurable.
More than enough for her, her sister, and that guy to live a carefree life.
A faint smirk tugged at her pink lips at the thought.
Everything was going smoothly.
As a high-ranking researcher, her clearance level allowed her deep access into the system.
But just as the download neared completion—
The screen suddenly froze.
A red warning symbol flashed across the interface.
Access Restricted.
Shiho's heart sank.
A sudden, ominous premonition washed over her.
Something was wrong.
She couldn't afford to waste another second.
Abandoning the data, she shut off the monitor and rose from her seat.
Grabbing her cup of instant coffee, she put on an air of nonchalance, casually opening the door and stepping out into the hallway.
The guards stationed outside the research room remained unmoved, showing no signs of suspicion.
Feigning calm, Shiho strode down the corridor, her long legs carrying her toward the place Bacardi had told her about.
The gas incarceration room on the first floor.
A place where traitors were executed.
A place no one had ever escaped from.
But within that chamber lay a hidden passage—a garbage disposal chute.
She hadn't understood what that bastard had meant before—
"The way to salvation lies within."
But now, she finally grasped it.
That was where she would escape.
By shrinking into a child and slipping away through that passage.
Shiho's pulse quickened as she turned the corner toward the elevators.
Just as the doors slid open.
Two men in black stepped out.
Her breath hitched.
They were her assigned bodyguards—the ones who always accompanied her outside the lab.
They never showed up while she was working.
If they were here now, it meant only one thing.
They had come for her.
Shiho turned on her heel and headed straight for the emergency stairwell.
Her fingers barely brushed against the door handle before she yanked it open and slipped inside.
But the moment she stepped onto the stairs—
Footsteps echoed from below.
Glancing down, she caught sight of two more black-clad bodyguards making their way up.
For a moment, her body froze.
She was trapped.
Both exits were blocked.
Her only option—
The rooftop.
But before she could take another step, the security door behind her creaked open.
A bald, middle-aged man stepped into the stairwell.
"Sherry-sama, where are you going?"
At the sound of the voice, Shiho froze.
Her heart sank.
She recognized it instantly—the director of Xun Pharmaceutical Factory.
"Sherry-sama, orders from above."
"Before the higher-ups arrive, please return to your room and wait patiently."
As he spoke, two more black-clad bodyguards reached the bottom of the staircase.
Shiho lowered her head.
So, in the end, escaping the organization was nothing more than a fantasy.
Ha… What was I even hoping for?
With two guards flanking her, she turned and walked back toward her room—
That dark, prison-like place.
The iron door slammed shut behind her, sealing away the last sliver of freedom.
Outside, four bodyguards and a supervisor stood waiting, preparing for the inevitable transfer.
Meanwhile, in the pouring rain, a black Porsche 356A tore through the streets.
Vodka gritted his teeth, suppressing the pain in his injured arm as he gripped the steering wheel.
In the passenger seat, Gin sat in silence, his face unreadable.
Though both men were formidable, neither had fully recovered from their injuries.
Vodka didn't even dare to glance at the back seat.
In the shadows, a striking figure reclined gracefully.
Clad entirely in black, her presence was impossible to ignore, even in the dim light.
Her long legs, wrapped in sheer stockings, were elegantly crossed.
Her silver hair was tied up, a black veil draped over her face, concealing features that could bring nations to ruin.
Vermouth.
Her aquamarine eyes gazed out at the relentless rain, lost in thought.
It rained like this back then, too…
A flicker of reminiscence passed through her expression—
Then vanished.
Her gaze shifted, sharp as a dagger, fixing on the men in the front seats.
A chill ran down Gin and Vodka's spines.
Veterans of countless battles, they recognized this feeling.
Murderous intent.
"Gin," Vermouth's voice was smooth, yet laced with danger. "From today onward, I'll be handling the Bacardi matter."
"I will personally investigate his identity."
"Whether he's a true traitor or someone who was framed and forced into rebellion… the truth will come to light."
Gin's snake-like eyes narrowed.
He hadn't expected his handling of Bacardi to stir up this much backlash.
What exactly is Vermouth's connection to Bacardi?
Could that rumor be true…?
Expressionless, Gin responded:
"Vermouth, I advise you not to get emotional."
"The boss already knows the truth about Bacardi's betrayal."
"Hasn't he told you the reason?"
"Getting involved with traitors never ends well."
Vermouth let out a soft, mocking laugh.
"Hah. Bacardi's mission completion rate and success rate are higher than yours, Gin."
"Especially during operations in this country—he's eliminated more targets than you."
"A man like that, a top-ranking operative, and yet you labeled him a traitor."
Her voice dripped with amusement, but her words were laced with accusation.
"Gin, don't think I don't know what's going on in that twisted mind of yours."
She didn't wait for a response.
"I'm not going to argue with you."
"You're injured—just rest."
"For now, I'm in charge of the Nihon sector. My orders will come soon."
Her piercing blue eyes flickered with an unsettling light.
"That said… there's something I don't understand."
Her gaze locked onto Gin.
"You forced Bacardi's hand, you let Akemi Miyano defect—yet you allowed Sherry to remain in the research facility."
Her voice was razor-sharp.
"Gin, between the two of us, who's the one getting emotional?"
Gin fell silent.
A knowing smirk curled at Vermouth's lips. She said no more, simply lighting a cigarette.
She knew Bacardi all too well.
He had risked his life for Akemi Miyano.
A reckless fool—someone who had never let go of the two sisters who brought him into the organization.
That meant…
If she had Sherry, Bacardi would come for her.
Naturally, the order restricting Shiho's movements—
It had come directly from Vermouth.