"Mr. Glovers, I must remind you again: once the transfer is complete, the Heart Eater will remain in your body forever, unless you die!" Caesar warned.
Maurier clicked his tongue and smirked, an amused glint in his eyes. "Thrilling. I like it."
Caesar fell silent. Fine.
Shaking his head in exasperation, Caesar handed the modified venomous creature to Maurier and left without another word.
Maurier carefully tucked away his newfound treasure, his eyes narrowing as an ominous smile played on his lips. Whatever he was thinking, it was bound to be dangerous.
Meanwhile, in a secluded villa on the outskirts of town, a faint click echoed as a door lock was silently picked. This villa had once been part of a prime real estate development, with plans for commercial centers; however, the land quickly became a forgotten ruin, the landscape transforming into overgrown weeds. At night, the unlit villas cast eerie shadows, making the place seem haunted. It was precisely this desolation that made the presence of uninvited guests so unexpected.
This was where Pete had taken refuge after escaping the Carrell family. Even a rabbit had three burrows, let alone a man like him. Unlike the other villas, Pete's hideout looked just as abandoned and neglected on the outside. However, beneath the surface lay a completely different world: a hidden underground haven, complete with electricity, running water, and the latest appliances. There were no windows, yet the ventilation system worked flawlessly. The decor was extravagant and elegant, a stark contrast to the crumbling exterior.
Pete lounged on the couch, the disheveled mess of his escape now a distant memory. He froze mid-sip of his drink. A moment later, a hooded figure descended through a concealed passage.
"Sir," Pete said, setting down his glass and nodding.
The hooded figure was in no mood for pleasantries. The moment he saw Pete, he erupted in rage. "Pete, this is your so-called plan? Losing both the bait and the advantage? We lost everything!"
Pete remained unfazed, pouring the man another drink. Only then did he reply. "This was an accident, but it doesn't matter. The game isn't over yet. Who said I lost?"
The hooded man let out a mocking laugh, barely restraining himself from hurling the glass at Pete's face. He growled through gritted teeth, "My prey was taken from me! And I barely escaped with my own life! This is urgent. Without those women, what do you plan to use as the key?"
His voice dropped to a chilling threat. "Pete, don't forget. You came to me for help. I want those women back now!"
"You're too impatient. Those women are irrelevant to the grand scheme. Have you forgotten? We only ever needed one key," Pete smiled. "Felicia is the most crucial piece."
The hooded man scoffed, calming down slightly, though his expression remained menacing. "I saw that brat myself. I don't know how she did it, but she found the bomb shelter. I underestimated her."