Even among the great families of Argent, the Thornes couldn’t garner widespread support, no matter how powerful they were. After all, every family had its own core interests. Their group alone was a considerable force: Neal Wallace of the Wallace family, Lex Cross of the Adler family, Robin and Cynthia Grant of the Grant family, and Flora Bloom, along with over a dozen special forces soldiers.
Even the Thorne family would have to think twice before making a move against them.
Flora Bloom helped Cynthia Grant lean against a tree in the courtyard.
Flora looked at Lex Cross. "You told me not to interfere in the Thorne family’s affairs. Why? And why did we have to leave the Argent base?"
"That’s right, Captain Cross! With your power, we don’t have to fear the Thorne family at all! We should expose their crimes to the world and stop that woman, Leigh Atwood, from harming any more superpower users."
Flora and the others all looked toward Lex Cross. His expression was placid, but his eyes glinted as if he were deep in thought.
Five suddenly spoke up. "Boss, I don’t think I should have left either. The zombie population in the Argent area is denser than in the surrounding cities. With just our small group, it’ll be dangerous if we run into a large horde."
Saul Sterling also looked grim. "Boss, that guy might not have gone far. If he comes back... we’ll be fine, but Sis-in-law and the others can’t protect themselves!"
Lex Cross nodded. "Let’s go back to Morhaven."
Flora Bloom’s purpose this time, besides finding Lex Cross and saving Annelise Locke, was to find the laboratory and the Doctor. Now that she had finally uncovered a connection between the Thorne family and the lab, she couldn’t just leave so soon.
"I’m not leaving. That lab is a hidden danger, and I have to find that Doctor!"
"Flora, listen. Go back to Morhaven first. Leave everything else to me!"
Flora frowned. "Why are you telling me to stay out of this? What do you know?"
Lex Cross nodded and took Flora’s hand. "I won’t let you get into any danger. Flora, trust me. Don’t interfere in this anymore. Wait for me to finish this, and then I’ll explain everything!"
Flora could see the concern for her in Lex Cross’s expression and his eyes. His grave, earnest face made her realize that the lab, the Doctor, and especially this Leigh Atwood, were not as simple as they seemed.
Leigh Atwood was, without a doubt, her university instructor, Leigh Atwood. But the look, the eyes, the entire demeanor of the Leigh Atwood she saw today didn’t quite match her memory of the woman.
’Maybe I’m mistaken,’ Flora thought. ’Too much time has passed and I just don’t remember her that well.’ But while she could be wrong about a feeling, Lex Cross wasn’t the type to make a mountain out of a molehill and forbid her from getting involved over a mere hunch.
So, it was highly likely that this Leigh Atwood was not the original Leigh Atwood.
Seeing the tense atmosphere between Lex Cross and Flora, the others fell silent. Five, Saul Sterling, and the other ten special forces soldiers efficiently divided their duties, guarding the sole entrance near the low-slung house and keeping watch over the large surrounding fields.
Robin Grant and Cynthia Grant went into the low-slung house and sat down at a table, where Robin began to take Cynthia’s pulse.
The potion was still active in Cynthia Grant’s body. Even her pulse was brimming with vigorous life, showing no sign of anything unusual.
As grandfather and granddaughter discussed their experiences from the perspectives of doctor and patient, Five walked in.
He looked at Robin Grant and Cynthia Grant, appearing somewhat reserved—a stark contrast to the fearless way he had bickered with Cynthia earlier.
Five stared at Cynthia for a long moment before turning his gaze to Robin Grant. "Elder Grant, do... do you remember saving a wounded little boy many years ago?"
Robin Grant glanced at Five. The young man’s features were well-defined, his complexion ruddy, and his forehead clear. His voice was strong and resonant. All this indicated a robust constitution, not someone who had suffered any serious illness.
"They say even if a doctor forgets a face, he’ll always remember his patient’s pulse. Elder Grant, could you check mine? Maybe you’ll remember?"
As he spoke, Five sat down opposite Cynthia Grant, on Robin Grant’s other side, and held out his arm to make it easy for the old man to take his pulse.
Robin Grant looked at the proffered wrist and placed three fingers together on Five’s pulse point.
"Your pulse is strong, and your organs are in harmony. You’re in excellent health, young man!"
Five said nothing, merely keeping his arm outstretched for Robin Grant to continue.
Robin Grant was about to pull his hand back, but his expression darkened a second before he lifted his fingers. He pressed them back onto the pulse point.
"..."
None of the three at the table spoke. Cynthia Grant, especially, had no idea what riddle they were playing out; she just watched her grandfather carefully diagnose Five.
"Grandpa, what kind of serious illness does he have? You’re examining him so carefully."
Robin Grant didn’t answer, his eyes narrowed as he continued to focus on Five’s wrist.
"Brimming with life, yet also filled with Death Energy. For life and death to be so evenly balanced, so harmonious... You’re that little fellow from back then, aren’t you?"
A smile suddenly spread across Five’s face.
"You remember, Elder Grant! I wanted to ask you... back then, you wrote me a prescription. The little girl who took care of me afterward, was she..."
Robin Grant suddenly shot him a look. "AHEM. Since you’ve recovered, there’s no need to dwell on the past."
Five was completely bewildered by Robin Grant’s words. "Elder Grant, I just want to know—was it Cynthia who took care of me back then?"
Robin Grant’s brow furrowed deeply. "What difference does it make whether it was or wasn’t?"
Five looked at the oblivious Cynthia Grant. The green, plant-like tinge of her skin pulsed on her face, but it did nothing to break his focused gaze.
"When I woke up, I was in the Todd family estate. I always thought the person who took care of me was Chelsea Todd. But it wasn’t until I saw you that I realized I was mistaken!"
Robin Grant’s expression grew serious. "Five, we who study traditional medicine emphasize harmony. I don’t understand the affairs of you young people, but if you’re developing feelings for Cynthia because of this, I must disapprove."
Hearing them talk to this point, Cynthia Grant finally began to understand a few things.
One, her grandfather had once saved Five.
Two, Five had woken up in the Todd estate and had always believed Chelsea Todd was the one who cared for him.
Three, the person who had actually taken care of him was her, Cynthia Grant.
’But how come I don’t remember ever taking care of a brat like him?’
Robin Grant stood up. "Everyone in Argent knows how close you are with that girl from the Todd family. If it weren’t for this apocalypse, the Todd patriarch would have already arranged your engagement. For you to come and confirm this with an old man like me now—don’t you think that’s a bit inappropriate?"
After speaking, Robin Grant turned to Cynthia Grant. "I’ve heard about the side effects of this potion from the research lab. Tomorrow, I’ll go discuss it with Flora and see if we can confirm the components, stability, and safety of an antidote in the shortest possible time."
Cynthia Grant nodded. "I understand, Grandpa. Don’t worry. It may be burning through my potential, but who knows? Maybe my potential is limitless! Burning through a little won’t be a big deal. You should get some sleep, Grandpa."
After seeing Robin Grant off to his room to rest, Cynthia Grant found Five staring at her with an intensity that gave her goosebumps.
"Hey, why are you looking at me like that? Let me tell you, my grandpa was the one who saved you. As for me... I don’t even remember whether I took care of you or not. Maybe it really was Chelsea Todd."
Five suddenly let out a self-deprecating laugh. "I’m so damn stupid. A rich young lady like Chelsea Todd... why would she have ever taken care of a nobody like me back then?"