That left Mike speechless. A promise felt abstract and vague. Even if he guaranteed it with his life, it couldn't undo the damage if Alexander lost his life should anything happen to Lily.

A moment later, Lily, nestled in Alexander's arms, said, "Then, what if I promise you that?"

Alexander and Mike were stunned. Alexander lowered his head to look at Lily. She met his gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I promise I'll take good care of myself. I'll stop immediately if I sense danger or anything feels wrong. I'll prioritize my and our baby's safety above all else. How about that?" She even raised her hand, as if to swear on her words. Her seriousness was evident.

Alexander was momentarily speechless. With anyone else, he'd have ready retorts. But Lily always left him feeling helpless—a fact she clearly understood and used to her advantage. He squeezed his lips shut, wrestling with the decision internally. He genuinely dreaded putting her in danger. It terrified him.

"It's different now. I know the organization is desperate for Lily's abilities, for her help with their experiments. They must be in dire straits to pressure me like this. I'll admit, I have selfish reasons," Mike began, sensing Alexander's hesitation. "I want to ease my burden, to ensure my son's safety, and buy myself more time. But you must agree, this is the fastest, best way to resolve this."

Mike took a deep breath, stepping forward. He looked like he'd made a crucial decision. "There's something you might not know. The drug they're creating is beyond your imagination. It can control minds, souls, bodies—everything."

"Their ambitions are vast," Mike continued solemnly. "They've never explicitly stated it, but I believe they want more than a strategic location by stealing the vaccination project. They want far more. Once they begin, it's beyond our—beyond anyone's—control."

"They want more..." Alexander repeated, lost in thought.

"They want to use the vaccines as a cover, to accelerate the virus's spread, bringing about the country's—and society's—ruin at breakneck speed!" Lily interjected.

Alexander's eyes widened as he looked at her. Though small and held close in his arms, her face still flushed from earlier events, her determination was unwavering. Each word sent a chill down their spines.

The thought itself was terrifying. It wouldn't just affect a few people or families; it would be catastrophic for humanity. What were those people trying to do?