Chapter 246

"Evelyn, this is your second brother." Sophia Roland gently took her daughter's hand. "He just returned from abroad and hasn't met you yet."

Evelyn Roland lifted her gaze to the tall, imposing man studying her with an unreadable expression. His features bore traces of their parents' resemblance.

"So you're my second brother." She gave a slight nod.

Julian Roland's Adam's apple bobbed as he spoke in a low voice. "My apologies for the intrusion." He motioned for his armed unit to withdraw. "I can leave some men to watch over Sebastian if needed."

"Thank you, Julian." Evelyn's eyes swept over the soldiers' tactical gear. "But have them change into civilian clothes."

Understanding immediately, Julian issued swift orders. A flicker of admiration crossed his face at his sister's composure.

Before leaving, Evelyn glanced back at the sleeping Sebastian. Her fingers absently traced a faint, healed scar on her wrist.

As night deepened, a shadow slipped undetected into the villa. Silas Eisner moved like a fox, effortlessly diverting the guards.

He stood over Sebastian's bed, cold eyes scanning every corner of the room. His gaze finally settled on an almost imperceptible dark stain on the pillow.

"Found it." Silas's lips twisted into a grotesque smile.

With surgical precision, he clipped the fabric sample and fabricated replacement evidence. His movements were practiced, as if rehearsed countless times.

In the lab, the centrifuge hummed. Silas stared at the fluctuating data on the screen, his breathing growing ragged.

"Just as I thought..." He fixated on Evelyn's DNA profile, madness igniting in his eyes. "The secret of the Divine Elixir."

Lightning split the sky outside. The sterile lights cast eerie shadows across Silas's contorted face. With trembling fingers, he dialed an encrypted number.

"Prepare the operating theater," he hissed into the phone. "We're about to obtain... the perfect specimen."

Meanwhile, Evelyn sat at home reviewing medical texts when a sudden unease gripped her. She looked up, sensing something terrible unfolding in the night.