Spoiled by Mr. Russell, Chapter 2070

A hidden speaker concealed behind a folding screen was the source of the voice Lily heard. The organization's cunning was evident; they had brought her here yet remained anonymous. Their presence or absence was inconsequential; Lily knew who orchestrated this. As she picked up the speaker to examine it, a sharp, urgent voice demanded, "What harmful experiments are you talking about?"

Startled by the volume, Lily nearly dropped the speaker. She quickly placed it on a chair and stepped back, eyeing it cautiously.

"If you want to know, why don't we speak face-to-face? We've already come this far; why feign ignorance?"

"I... can't appear in person," the voice responded, pausing before continuing slowly. "I'm genuinely sorry for the harm you've endured, Ms. Christian. It wasn't my intention, but I had no other choice. I had to consider the bigger picture. I don't expect you to understand, but I want to express my sincerest apologies."

Lily found the apology, particularly the professed sincerity, amusing. "First, you tell someone you'll take their life and use their corpse, and then you apologize? Is that your country's etiquette? How intriguing."

Another voice, this one belonging to Fred—a man she knew—cut in through the speaker, despite the voice changer, "You've gone too far, Lily!"

Lily paused, then smiled. "Did I go too far? I helped you develop R10 and offered my body. But now you're unhappy? Am I the one who went too far? Besides, I haven't even said much." Sighing, she sat down. "Why did you bring me here? To alleviate your guilt? Don't bother; people like you don't know what guilt is."

"Ms. Christian, I understand your anger, but I swear I will take good care of your children. I will provide them with the best education, a noble status, and ensure they live worry-free lives filled with honor and wealth. Whether you believe it or not, I will make it happen! I promise!"

The voice was eager, as if this promise would sway Lily.

She looked down, then said, "You're afraid my body will reject it, aren't you? Perhaps you fear my consciousness will resist too strongly, and the results won't be what you desire?"

Silence followed, a silence Lily expected. She shrugged and smiled. "If you're so concerned, why insist on this experiment? Aren't you afraid it'll fail and yield the opposite of your desires?"

A resigned sigh. "Of course, I know that, but there's... no other way!"

Lily lifted her gaze, tilting her head as if addressing someone in the room's upper corner. "Are you running out of time, Your Majesty?"