Over the next three days, Nora Su barely saw Adrian Fu. She was assigned to the lab, fully focused on analyzing the samples from the traitorous researchers, trying to trace any links they might have had with the military. But her mind was elsewhere. Every time she was alone, Adrian's words echoed in her head:
"Then let the whole world know the Fu Group is involved in this disaster?"
The sentence was like a thorn, deeply embedded in her chest.
In the early hours of the fourth day, while everyone else rested, Nora sneaked back to B7. Adrian had thought she didn't know the access code, unaware that she had memorized the keystrokes from when he entered it.
The sterilized B7 still smelled faintly of blood. Nora carefully avoided the cameras and approached the locked lab door. To her surprise, the security system had been tampered with—clearly, she wasn't the only one interested in the secrets here.
Inside, the lab resembled a high-tech genetic engineering center. Most of the wall screens were dark, but the main console was still operational. Nora lightly tapped the keyboard, and the screen lit up, demanding a high-level login.
"Damn it," she muttered, ready to give up, until she noticed an old-fashioned data port in the corner—the same model used in her father's lab.
A bold idea struck her. She pulled out the pendant her father had left her—not just a keepsake, but a secure storage device. Shaking, she inserted it into the port. The screen flickered to life.
"User recognized: Su Mingyuan. Clearance Level: 9. Welcome back, Doctor."
Nora gasped. Her father had held the highest access here? His collaboration with Adrian had been far deeper than she had imagined.
The file directory displayed a series of unsettling titles: "Blood Moon Project Feasibility Report,""Genetic Recombination Virus Weaponization Research,""Ω-Series Human Trial Data…" She clicked on the most recently modified folder and found a video log.
On the screen, a younger Adrian, dressed in a lab coat, spoke with a white-haired man whose back was to the camera.
"Dr. Su, are you sure about this?" Adrian asked. "Once the 'Blood Moon Protocol' is initiated, there's no turning back."
Nora's heart stopped. That voice—the firm, familiar tone—was her father's.
"The military has taken control of the board. They plan to weaponize Ω-7. Only by triggering the virus early can we force a global race to develop a cure."
Adrian shook his head. "This is too risky. If it goes wrong…"
"Then you clean up the mess," her father's voice was unwavering. "You are the only one I trust, Lin Yuan. The Fireseed Project must continue—it's humanity's last hope."
The video abruptly cut off, replaced by a red warning: "Unauthorized access detected. Security protocol activated."
Before she could react, the lab door was kicked open. Adrian stood in the doorway, face dark and menacing, flanked by fully armed security personnel.
"I should have known," he said coldly. "The daughter of Su Mingyuan—no ordinary doctor."
Nora rose, chest heaving. "You and my father… you created this disaster?"
Adrian signaled the guards back and closed the door. He walked slowly toward her. "It's far more complicated than you think."
"Then explain it to me!" Nora grabbed a monitor and smashed it to the floor. "Three million people are dead—and counting!"
A flicker of pain crossed Adrian's expression. "Your father was right—the military intended to weaponize Ω-7. We tried to stop them, but…"
"So you released the virus first? What kind of logic is that?" Nora's voice trembled with anger.
"Not us," Adrian shook his head. "A faction of the military did. We only… anticipated the possibility and prepared in advance."
Nora laughed bitterly. "How convenient. Now no one can contradict you—you can make up any story."
Adrian suddenly grabbed her shoulders, the pressure painful. "Look at me, Nora! Do you really think your father would participate in the slaughter of innocents? He acted to save more lives! Ω-7 was meant as hope for terminal patients, twisted into a weapon!"
Nora wriggled free. "Then why not release all the research? Work with scientists worldwide to develop a cure?"
"Timing isn't right." Adrian walked to the console and pulled up a set of data. "The Blood Moon virus is still evolving. Premature deployment of a cure would only accelerate mutation. We must wait for a stable phase."
"Meanwhile, thousands die every day," Nora said bitterly.
Adrian was silent for a moment. "Sometimes saving the world requires making the hardest choices."
Nora shook her head and took a step back. "No, that's just an excuse. I'm leaving. I'll tell the world the truth."
Adrian's eyes went ice-cold. "Impossible."
"Planning to kill me?" she taunted.
Unexpectedly, Adrian smiled—a smile devoid of warmth. "No, doctor. I want you to see for yourself what the consequences of your 'justice' will be."
He pressed the communicator. "Chen Mo, prepare the helicopter. Dr. Su and I are going to the mainland."
Nora blinked in surprise. "You… you're letting me go?"
"I said, you'll see for yourself," Adrian said, removing his suit jacket and donning a tactical vest. "The world isn't black and white, doctor. Time to face reality."
Two hours later, they stood atop the tallest building in S City. Once bustling streets now lay in ruin—abandoned cars, roaming infected, distant explosions and gunfire punctuating the chaos.
"Look over there," Adrian pointed east. "That's a military safe zone."
Nora peered through binoculars. She saw high walls and patrolling soldiers, but outside, hundreds of civilians were banging desperately on closed gates.
"Why not let them in?"
"Resources are limited," Adrian replied coldly. "The military only admits those of value—scientists, engineers, able-bodied labor."
At that moment, a small side gate opened, and a few people in lab coats were escorted inside. The crowd erupted. Some tried to force their way through, and the soldiers didn't hesitate to fire—dozens fell instantly.
Nora pressed her hand to her mouth, fighting nausea. "This is… cruel…"
"This is reality," Adrian said softly in her ear. "No perfect choices—only survival or destruction. On my island, at least everyone has an equal chance to live."
Nora looked at him, tears welling. "But no right to know? No freedom to choose?"
Adrian's expression faltered briefly. "Sometimes ignorance is protection."
In the distance, helicopters roared—fully armed troops approaching the safe zone. Adrian pulled Nora down. "Military patrol. Time to move."
On the return flight, Nora remained silent. Adrian didn't disturb her, focused on his tablet. As the island appeared in view, she finally spoke.
"If I agree to keep the secret, can you promise me something?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"Let me participate in Ω-7 development. Real participation—not just assisting," Nora said, locking eyes with him. "If my father truly believed this was humanity's hope, I want to finish his work."
Adrian studied her, gaze sharp as a blade. "Why?"
"Because whatever your original motives, saving lives is what matters now," Nora said firmly. "Science should heal, not destroy."
The helicopter landed on the island, rotor wind tossing Nora's hair. Adrian stared at her for a long moment, as if truly seeing her for the first time.
"Deal," he finally said, extending his hand.
Nora grasped it, feeling the warmth and unyielding strength in his palm. Just then, alarms blared across the island.
"Mr. Fu!" Chen Mo's voice crackled through the communicator. "Large fleet approaching! Signal identified as… main military force!"
Adrian's expression turned razor-sharp. "Finally. Initiate Level One defenses. Everyone, to positions."
He released Nora's hand, striding toward the control center, then paused and glanced back. "Remember your choice, doctor. From now on, we are in this together."
Nora watched his tall, commanding figure, the silhouettes of warships emerging on the horizon, and realized—the real trial had only just begun.