Chapter 264
1160words
Frustrated, I leaned back to my office chair and dropped the list of personnel files that Sapphire had gathered for the laboratory.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a couple of deep breaths to calm myself down before I leaned on my table again, elbows on it, hands clasped together. I raised my head and indifferently looked at Sapphire.
With a restrained voice, I asked, “Are you telling me that EVERYONE declined our offer?”
To prepare for this laboratory and increase the success rate of throwing out the Deadtails, I had Sapphire find the most capable pharmacist and chemist to operate our pharmacological laboratory. However, I didn’t expect that not even a single one of them would accept our offer, even though I made sure to give them a generous offer.
Sapphire nodded with a troubled expression but remained calmly standing before me. “Almost every well-known pharmacist and chemist in the kingdom has ties to Deadtails.”
She took a couple of deep breaths and shook her head in dismay. “They’ve all worked on drug development for them and are bound by contracts that prohibit them from collaborating with anyone else. Deadtails invested a fortune in keeping them loyal—and silent.”
My collapsed hands tightened, and I momentarily closed my eyes to control my frustration from blowing up.
The weight of her words was weighing on my heart, making it feel like something was crushing my chest.
Mr. K had no intention of relinquishing his grip on Wakeland. In fact, he’s using these drugs as chains to keep his control over it.
After I calmed my nerves, I looked back at Sapphire and gave her a sharp gaze, commanding with conviction, “If we can’t find the right people here, then look outside the Wakeland. For all I care, even outside the kingdom. Seek out apprentices of those pharmacists or anyone with potential. We’ll train them ourselves if we must.”
This obstacle won’t make me give up. I’d do anything I could to free Wakeland from Krendell and Mr. K.
I watched as Sapphire looked at me with a hint of hesitation for a little while, but I only made my gaze on her more firmly until I saw determination filling her eyes.
Nodding, she grabbed the personnel files I looked at earlier and looked at me with newfound determination. “I’d do as you ordered, Princess. I won’t let you down.”
I nodded and smiled proudly before leaning back in my chair with my fingers drumming against the desk.
From the years of suffering in the Dark Moon Pack up to now, I’ve never backed down from a challenge. And this time won’t be any different.
“Oh, by the way, Princess,” Sapphire called out, pulling me out of my daze.
Sapphire said angrily and disgustingly as she heavily placed a black recorder on my table. “This is the recording of what happened at the bar today. Mason is a scumbag!”
She was radiating with anger and disgust. The usual composure I saw in her was completely gone as she shook her head and heaved a deep breath. “He said terrible, insulting things about you!”
I tried to remain calm, though my stomach churned at the mere thought of my name escaping the lips of a disgusting person like Mason.
Nodding my head, I grabbed the recorder and indifferently replied, “I’ve expected no less from a trash like him.”
Raising the recording, I gestured toward the door. “Go ahead and head back for now. I’ll listen to the recording here.”
“Anything more?” I asked when I noticed her figure still looming.
I raised my head and met her eyes.
Voice laced with concern, she asked, “What about tomorrow’s schedule?”
Right, I'll be visiting the mine tomorrow.
I straightened my back and ordered, ”Go to the mine early in the morning and spread the word that I’ll be arriving shortly after. Make sure the exact time and number of people accompanying me are known.“
Sapphire’s jaw dropped, and she looked at me dumbfounded, as though I had just grown another head on my neck. “You... want me to spread everything? Including the arrival time and the personnel details?”
I nodded my head, firmly adding, “Exactly.”
“That’s too dangerous,” Sapphire protested, her voice rising. “You’re practically inviting the Rogues in hiding to attack you! And for sure, they’ll take this opportunity without hesitation.”
My gaze softened, and a smile formed on my lips as I nodded with confidence. “That’s exactly what I want.”
However, seeing the worry in Sapphire’s eyes, I sighed and added, “I know exactly what I’m doing, Sapphire. Trust me and do as I’ve asked.”
Sapphire was hesitant for a while before her lips pressed into a thin line. “As your beta, I must urge you to reconsider. This isn’t just dangerous… It’s reckless.”
Hearing her reason and outmost worry for me warmed my heart, and her care touched me. But as much as I appreciated it, she had nothing to be worried about. My gut says that things would work just fine.
I faintly smiled and gave her a soft glance. “And as the head of Wakeland, your Alpha, and the Princess of this kingdom, I ask for your complete trust. Do not let me down.”
Though I was very serious, I intentionally let a slight hint of teasing in my tone to comfort her worry.
After a long pause, Sapphire finally sighed as a sign of giving in. “I’ll arrange it.”
She looked at me reluctantly and added, “But I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do,” I replied confidently without missing a beat. “You can go back to your office now and prepare.”
As soon as Sapphire left and closed the door behind her, I leaned back in my chair and stared at the recorder in my hand. My fingers hovered over the play button while I was lost in my thoughts for tomorrow’s event.
What I wanted was for the Rogues to attack me exactly. And if it goes as I wanted it to, then Drake would show up, and he won’t be able to resist my grasp.
After meeting Mason today, I became more confident that Drake wasn’t the villain in all this. Instead, he was the victim. But to reach him, I need to make myself vulnerable. I had to ensure he felt confident and safe enough to reveal himself.
My fingers traced the edge of my desk as I got lost in my thoughts.
It’s all good if things go my way, but that won’t erase the chance that he won’t trust me. Worse, he might see me as an enemy and strike first. Though the likelihood of that to happen was small... it’s not impossible.
Nonetheless, no matter the cost, I was much more compelled to meet and talk with him.
I narrowed my eyes with determination.
But if things go south, I must prepare for whatever comes next.
