Chapter 4
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Camellia stood in the hospital room, bathed in the illuminating glow of the fluorescent lights overhead. The defected agent of the Sentinels lay on the bed, sleeping, his breathing softly and uninterrupted. His presence marked a significant triumph—an great achievement in the ongoing war in the shadow. Especially after the recent obliteration of a local Black Rose hub, this victory promised to bolster morale substantially. And if Camellia played her cards right, it could also elevate her standing within the organization.
“So, you’re proposing that we wait until he’s back on his feet?”
“Yes,” replied Lorelei, the operative who had secured the agent’s allegiance, now standing beside her. “A complete recovery may be ambitious, but we should at least wait until his condition stabilizes.”
“And how long will that take?”
“Perhaps a week. Two, at the most.”
Camellia frowned. She wanted the interrogation to begin immediately to extract vital intelligence. The higher-ups were also pressuring her to uncover the perpetrator behind last week’s raid. Despite this urgency, Lorelei and the defected agent were her primary assets, and pushing them too hard might jeopardize their cooperation.
“Very well,” Camellia conceded. “Monitor his condition closely. The moment he is stable enough, I want him immediately prepared for interrogation.”
As Camellia prepared to leave the room, Camellia paused to glance back at Lorelei, whose eyes were filled with concern as she watched over the man.
“He switched side because he fell in love with you, didn’t he?”
“Yes,” Lorelei nodded. “He was under my control the whole time.”
“And you? Don’t tell me you fell for him too.”
“Of course not,” the woman denied. “Everything I did, I did for the Black Rose.”
Camellia was no fool. She knew a liar when she saw one. Nonetheless, her primary concern was achieving her goal. The fate of the lovebirds afterward was of no consequence.
After returning to the room in the hospital she had commandeered, Camellia checked her terminal. There were numerous missed calls and messages, but none from the person she anticipated. What is that woman thinking? Camellia mused, deciding to make the call herself.
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“Camellia,” the image of a white-haired woman appeared on her terminal screen. “What’s up?”
“I don’t know if you’ve been informed yet,” Camellia smirked. “But I have secured a defected agent of the Sentinels.”
“I’ve heard,” the woman nodded. “Good for you.”
“You knew, yet you didn’t think to call me?” Camellia frowned.
“Why?” The woman looked puzzled. “Sorry, I’ve been occupied with my current task. I should have congratulated you earlier.”
“That’s not the issue. You’re tasked with finding the culprit behind last week’s attack and you haven’t found any lead yet. Am I correct?”
“You’re right,” the woman acknowledged. “As I mentioned, I’m fully occupied at the moment.”
So why haven’t you prostrated yourself before me, begging for my assistance? Camellia thought. “The higher-ups must be pressuring you for results. And the agent in my custody might have the vital information you need. If you ask nicely, I might provide it for you.”
“They did, but I don’t care,” the woman replied nonchalantly. “And honestly, I think the guy you have is useless.”
“What?”
“Someone who defects so easily must be some low-ranked who doesn’t know anything important.”
This woman, Iris, was insufferable. She was perpetually aloof and never took anything seriously. Even now, despite her lack of accomplishments compared to Camellia’s recent success, she continued to display that kind of attitude.
“This is going nowhere,” Camellia said, frustrated. Continuing this conversation would drive her mad. “I’m hanging up now.”
Just as Camellia was about to disconnect, Iris said. “Wait.”
“What? Changed your mind?”
“The guy may be useless,” Iris mused. “But the Sentinels are vindictive. I heard they lost an agent over this defection. They won’t forget and they won’t forgive.”
“You think they’d send someone here to kill him? Why do you think I haven’t considered it?” Camellia sneered. “Let them come. My fortress is impregnable.”
“Then that’s good. But be careful, okay?”
Iris’s admonition only irritated Camellia even further. Who did she think she was, talking to her with such condescension?
“That bitch is fucking annoying.” She vented to her assistant Alisa, who had silently accompanied her the entire time.
“Yes,” Alisa smiled reassuringly. “But don’t let her get to you. A bad mood would mar your beautiful face. Now, let me help you to relax...” The assistant gently pushed her onto a chair, then knelt down before her crotch.
“W-wait, Alisa. Now is not the time... Ah...” A wet tongue touch Camellia’s clitoris, silencing her objection.
“Should I stop?"
“N-no. Continue.” Camellia leaned back, closing her eyes as sensation surged up through her body.
