Chapter 171: Accusations

Adrian continued speaking. "You probably care about her. That’s why you’re stopping us. I understand."

His tone remained calm, but his eyes narrowed. "But do you realize that by stopping me, you’re only condemning her to death?"

Leo raised an eyebrow.

Adrian glanced toward Nina. "She never completed the procedures required to gain her powers. As a result, her body is filled with defects." He paused to let the words sink in. "But the most fatal defect is her lifespan."

Nina’s body trembled behind Leo.

"If she doesn’t return with me and receive treatment, she will die within six months."

Leo pressed the Rune Revolver harder against the back of Adrian’s head. "Then hand over the cure." His voice turned cold. "Or I’ll blow your head off."

Adrian’s expression darkened. For the second time in just a few minutes, Leo had threatened his life without the slightest hesitation.

"I don’t have the cure with me," Adrian replied through clenched teeth. "And this isn’t a matter of taking one injection and becoming completely cured. She needs concentrated treatment. She’ll have to undergo several procedures before her condition can be stabilized."

Leo scoffed. "Save your bullshit for someone else." His eyes swept over the surrounding soldiers. "The procedures you keep dressing up with fancy terms are nothing more than experiments on children treated like test subjects."

Adrian’s expression stiffened.

"And if you care so much about Nina, why don’t you take Atlas too?" Leo tilted his head. "From what I understand, he has even more serious defects than she does, right? Why don’t you help him as well?"

Adrian opened his mouth. No words came out.

Leo gave a faint, mocking smile. "Yeah. Just as I thought. He isn’t worth the effort or resources."

Adrian’s face grew increasingly tense. The heavy weight of Leo’s killing intent began to spread through the air.

"It seems you still aren’t taking me seriously." Leo’s finger rested against the trigger. "You think I don’t dare kill you, right?" He leaned closer. "You’ve already wasted your chance."

Adrian’s pupils contracted. He could feel the danger radiating from Leo. Unlike before, this time it carried no trace of a bluff. He threw both hands in the air.

"Okay, okay! We’ll leave. You’re responsible for the choices you make."

Leo didn’t lower the gun.

Adrian swallowed his irritation before turning toward the officers and soldiers. "Return to the camp. Our business here is over."

The soldiers saluted. One after another, they climbed into their vehicles and began leaving the area. Before long, the rumbling engines faded into the distance. Only Adrian’s secretary and Rose remained beside him.

Valentine shifted her attention to the convoy. "Spread out. Stay alert in case the military tries anything else." She then looked at the trembling girl. "Nina, stay close to me."

The others spread throughout the area, keeping enough distance to cover one another while remaining within sight. Only then did Leo finally pull the revolver away from Adrian’s head.

"Alright. You can go." He turned and began walking toward Storm.

Adrian watched him for a moment before calling out. "We don’t have to be so hostile. I would like to—"

"Save it." Leo didn’t even bother turning around. "You have nothing I need. And even if you did, you wouldn’t give it to me."

He kept walking.

"Wait!"

The voice came from behind him, but it wasn’t Adrian.

Leo stopped and turned around. Rose stood with both hands on her hips, staring at him with an indignant expression.

"Don’t you think you owe me an apology?"

Leo raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

Rose pointed at him. "For throwing a grenade at me and attacking me at the depot!"

Adrian’s expression changed. He had wanted to stop Rose from arguing with Leo, but her accusations were not entirely unreasonable. Besides, after being threatened repeatedly, he was curious to see how Leo would respond. He folded his arms and watched in silence.

Nearby, Rex was also enjoying the spectacle. This should be interesting.

Leo furrowed his brows. "Who are you?"

Rose froze.

"I’ve never seen you before." Leo tilted his head. "Either you’re lying, or you’ve mistaken me for someone else."

Rex nodded in approval. "The Deny Everything Card. Clever."

Rose, however, was completely baffled. "It was clearly you! I’m a hundred percent sure!"

Leo narrowed his eyes. "Lady, get your facts straight. Did you ever see my face while you were being attacked?"

Rose hesitated. Then she shook her head. "No. Your face was covered by the hood."

Leo spread his hands in a questioning gesture. "See? You never saw the attacker’s face. How can you be certain it was me?" He pointed toward Rex. "It could have been him under the hood."

Rex’s eyes widened. "What? Me?"

Leo then pointed toward Adrian. "It could have been him too. It could have been anyone." He waved impatiently at Rose. "So why are you pinning the blame on me? Go away. I don’t have time to entertain your imagination."

Leo turned around.

Rose’s eyes narrowed. "The gun!"

Leo stopped and glanced back. "What?"

Rose pointed at the Rune Revolver. "The gun you’re holding. The man who attacked me was last seen carrying that exact weapon." A smug expression appeared on her face. "Now what do you have to say for yourself?"

Leo looked down at the revolver. "Oh, this gun?" He casually raised it. "I found it in an alley today. Someone must have thrown it away. I thought it looked unique, so I picked it up."

Rose opened her mouth, but Leo continued before she could speak.

"Lady, bring some proof before falsely accusing someone."

"I’m not falsely accusing you!" Rose snapped. "That gun definitely belonged—"

"Lady, the gun you’re holding was the same gun used to murder my father."

Leo’s expression hardened. "Why did you murder my father?"

Rose’s mouth fell open. "What? I didn’t murder your father!" She pointed at him in disbelief. "Don’t falsely accuse me! Bring out some proof!"

Leo nodded solemnly. "Exactly what I’m saying."

Rose froze. Only then did she realize what had happened. But it was already too late.

Leo turned around and resumed walking toward Storm. Without looking back, he added, "Don’t bother me again. Come back when you have proof."

Rose stood motionless. Her face was filled with disbelief. But after a few seconds, her eyes began to shine with admiration.

Even though he’s clearly lying... He’s so cool.

Before she could admire him any further, Adrian called out to her. "Rose. We’re leaving."

Rose reluctantly turned around. Adrian’s group then headed back toward the military camp.