"What's wrong? Did you call me here because something happened, Athena?"

Sylus appeared in the Aurellan family's underground laboratory No. 1. This was Athena's private lab, where she researched and created new inventions for the family. In Sylus's memory, he had never been allowed to enter.

Being suddenly invited here by Athena made his heart thump uncontrollably. Even though he knew he didn't harbor feelings for her—or perhaps his memories had been rewritten—the vividness of those memories, her beauty etched so deeply into his mind, made it nearly impossible for him to escape.

The moment Sylus entered the lab, Athena immediately turned around. She stood against the light, and above her floated a spherical biological chamber suspended midair. From within it shone a blinding silver radiance that concealed whatever substance was inside. The pipes connected to the chamber were also pure white, blending seamlessly into the spotless white walls of the laboratory.

Athena, too, wore a white lab coat. In her hand, she held a test tube, its silvery liquid swaying back and forth with every subtle movement of her wrist.

She smiled at Sylus and spoke casually, "What's the matter, do I need an excuse to call you to my side? Sylus, I thought you loved me. Or was your love for me nothing but a lie?"

No, I would never lie about my love.

Just the thought of being unfaithful made Sylus feel his heart was being torn apart.

Even with his own suspicions, the memories of Athena continued to smolder within him, so vivid that he almost truly believed them. Perhaps… perhaps those memories were real, and he deeply loved Athena. After all, he had just met Louis—what if everything Louis said was false?

Almost instinctively, Sylus brushed his thumb against the ring on his ring finger, forcing himself to restrain his panicked heartbeat.

He looked at Athena, shook his head, and softly said, "No, Athena, I love you."

God, he was lying and lying to his own love. Sylus felt that he no longer deserved to love anyone after this—not even in secret.

Athena had no way of knowing the turmoil in his heart. She placed the test tube back into its tray and suddenly stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Sylus's neck, forcing him to bend slightly toward her.

"Sylus, the way you fought… it was wonderful. In that moment, my heart seemed to tremble." Her voice was soft, almost tender.

Hearing this, Sylus's heart couldn't help but pound wildly, yet his mind grew uncomfortably clear. He questioned what Athena was really after.

And as clarity slowly returned, Sylus began to see everything for what it was—the strangeness he had always felt but never noticed when drowned in love.

It was apparent: Athena did not possess a heart that could beat for love. She only knew herself. She only knew power.

"Kiss me."

Sylus couldn't help but furrow his brows inwardly at her words, though he kept his face expressionless. Inside, his heart was locked in a brutal struggle.

He couldn't kiss Athena—because he didn't like her. Moreover, if Louis's words were valid, he and Louis would still be lovers, and he wouldn't have had the chance to break up with him yet.

If he really kissed Athena, he would genuinely be a jerk!

Yet deep inside, another voice urged him on, whispering of a possibility he had always considered: what if Louis had only been deceiving him? If he kissed Athena now, it could prove that he wasn't gay!

But staring at Athena's beautiful face, Sylus still couldn't bring himself to lower his lips…

She seemed like a venomous snake in his eyes, her features twisted and distorted, ugly—nothing like his type. In fact, she even looked worse than Louis.

If Louis ever found out Sylus had started using him as a standard of comparison, he would probably smash his head without hesitation.

Athena narrowed her eyes at Sylus. Seeing his hesitation and delay, she knew she had been right all along—Sylus deserved to die.

With that thought, Athena did not hesitate to press her lips against his.

Sylus's eyes widened. He wanted to push her away, but then his gaze flickered—he seemed to sense something.

"Stab!"

The moment the needle pierced Sylus's skin, the poison inside was instantly injected into his body.

Sylus's eyes flew open wide, staring at Athena in disbelief. He shoved her away, but his strength had already grown strangely weak. Athena stood firm, unmoving, like a monolith.

She lowered her eyes, watching as Sylus's body swayed and collapsed.

Clutching himself, Sylus let out a guttural roar, deep and resonant, like a beast driven into a corner, enduring pain beyond imagination.

At that moment, the laboratory doors opened. G walked in. Without needing Athena's command, he hoisted Sylus and strapped him onto the experimental table. The heavy restraints bound Sylus tightly, ensuring no chance of escape.

Athena smiled down at him and spoke softly, "Don't worry, you will contribute greatly to the achievements of the Aurellan family. Consider it an honor I bestow upon you, for your years of loyal service to the Aurellans."

Sylus's mind grew hazier by the second. The pain in his body no longer drew any reaction from him. Everything felt unbearably heavy—he was sure he would soon sink into unconsciousness.

Through his fading vision, Sylus saw Athena's lips moving endlessly:

"Oh, and your lover… The two of you seemed so very affectionate. As it happens, I quite like Louis myself. Don't worry, I'll take good care of him for you."

Sylus felt Athena's icy fingers brushing across his eyelids. His spirit could no longer endure—he closed his eyes and sank into sleep.

It seemed Louis had already been discovered. It's fine. Just hang on a little longer, Louis. I'll come to save you soon, and we'll leave this place together. Before that, I need to find the clues about my memories from Athena…

We will definitely leave this place… together…

Meanwhile, Louis had no idea that his hulking best friend was already strapped down on an experimental table, waiting to be butchered.

He was playing "house" with Joshua and yes, playing house.

Louis had a lacy white scarf tied on his head, and his clothes had been switched out. The damned shirt he wore exposed half his back, while the tailored white slacks clung perfectly to his long legs. Across from him sat Joshua, holding a spoonful of porridge to Louis's lips, his face glowing with a bright, delighted smile.

Louis: "..." He seriously wanted to resign from life. He was already wondering what the chances were that he could die and return to his original world.

When other people transmigrate into novels, they at least get a golden finger or a system. Even if they're not the protagonist, they can be the villain. But him? He was stuck breathing the same air as a bunch of lunatics, to the point he was genuinely worried about his own mental health!

"I can eat by myself, Joshua."

Louis pressed his lips together, ignoring the spoon hovering before him. He had no intention of opening his mouth.

He reached up, ready to pluck the white lace scarf off his head.

Joshua suddenly narrowed his eyes in a smile. "If you take that scarf off, the next thing to be plucked will be your head."

An innocent smile—whispering words straight from a demon.

Louis instantly froze, of course, but he still didn't eat the porridge. He just lowered his head.

Joshua's smile vanished as if it had never existed, his little face turning cold.

Clang!

In anger, he hurled the bowl of porridge. The contents splattered, sticking onto Louis's face, forcing him to shut his eyes.

Damn it. Whatever was in that porridge, at least it smelled excellent. Louis felt lucky that his stomach hadn't started growling, or else he wouldn't be able to keep up the act any longer.

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