I haven't used those drugs on you because I know their side effects. I can't fully utilize your abilities under their influence. You should be grateful I still have use for you. Otherwise… The little man paused, leaving his threat unspoken.

Mike struggled to process this. "Are you saying I might lose my self-awareness and be unable to help you? In other words, I'd become a puppet?"

He questioned, "Wait. Isn't it better to manipulate me if I'm unaware?"

Before Mike could continue, the man interrupted. "Enough. Don't probe. My patience is limited! I've told you before: the only way to get your son back is to cooperate. Once the experiment succeeds and the organization achieves its goals, I will return your son immediately."

The man slowly straightened, arms akimbo, and looked at Mike. "Mike, you should want our plan to succeed more than anyone. After all, your son will live if it does. If it fails…" His face fell, his gaze somber. "Your son will be the first victim of this grand plan."

The word "victim" struck Mike hard. He gritted his teeth. "I understand."

"I don't care what you've told Lily or what you're planning, but keep a close watch on her. That's my final warning—don't try anything sneaky. Otherwise, you know the consequences." Despite his perch on the desk, the man was barely taller than Mike. Yet, Mike felt he was facing the devil himself. A chill ran down his spine, and despair washed over him.

Mike left, head bowed, his dejection palpable. The man's cold stare followed him until the door closed, restoring silence to the room. He jumped from the desk, kicked aside the broken glass, and went to the floor-to-ceiling window to look down.

Everything below seemed tiny, the people moving like ants. He enjoyed high places. Only from above did he feel taller than others, rather than the opposite. He'd spent his life looking up, but once his grand plan succeeded, that would change. Everyone would look up to him; the world would remember his name.

His eyes gleamed with excitement. "Finally, it's almost here!"

His wristwatch vibrated. He frowned, then pursed his lips.