Location: Tavara – Sinclair Private Estate, Emergency Medical Wing
Leona's breaths were shallow, each one a fragile gasp fighting against time. Nora sat beside her sister's bed, holding her hand as monitors beeped with cold precision. A team of elite doctors surrounded the bed, whispering in medical jargon, but none dared speak a prognosis aloud.
"She's still not stabilizing," one of the specialists murmured.
Julian entered the room, removing his gloves. "The synthetic compound used on her—it's a prototype. Bio-molecular destabilizer. We're dealing with something created outside Tavara's known pharmaceutical network."
"Created where?" Damien asked, arms crossed, face tense.
Julian exchanged a look with the lead doctor. "There's only one place with the capability and history—The Black Helix Laboratory, last known to be operating under a shell company in Cairo."
Nora's eyes narrowed. "Isn't that the lab that faked a fire to disappear five years ago?"
"Yes," Julian said. "And according to Tavaran intelligence, they're working with the Carvalhos again."
Damien's expression darkened. "Of course they are."
Nora turned back to her sister. "How long does she have?"
"Seventy-two hours," the doctor said carefully. "After that… the neural toxins could leave permanent damage. Or worse."
A heavy silence fell in the room.
Damien's voice broke it. "We need access to Black Helix. And we won't get it by force. Not fast enough."
Julian nodded. "Which means you'll need someone who already has a foot in that door."
Damien looked away, jaw clenched.
"No," he said flatly. "Not him."
Julian placed a file on the table. "Adrian Vale. International pharma tycoon. Investor in Black Helix. Also your cousin. Also the same man who tried to ruin Sinclair Industries four years ago."
Nora glanced between the two men. "Why is he still breathing?"
"Because he went underground," Damien muttered. "And because I didn't want to start a war within my own bloodline."
Julian added, "And now he's the only one who can get us inside Black Helix within twenty-four hours."
Damien ran a hand through his hair. "Fine. Get me a meeting. But don't expect peace."
---
Location: Geneva – Vale Private Vault Lounge
Adrian Vale was everything Nora expected from a Sinclair turned rogue—sharp suit, sharper tongue, and eyes that glittered with calculation. He sipped his aged cognac as if the fate of an innocent girl wasn't on the table between them.
Damien entered with the weight of suppressed fury. Nora followed, her eyes never leaving Adrian.
Adrian smiled. "Damien. Nora. What a charming reunion. Last time we spoke, I believe someone threatened to throw me off a yacht."
"That offer still stands," Damien said coldly.
"I'm sure it does. But let's not waste time. You want access to Black Helix. I have that. What are you offering in return?"
Damien's fists clenched. "You do this for Leona. She's family."
Adrian scoffed. "Family? You disowned me. Froze my accounts. Ran me out of Tavara."
"You were selling Sinclair tech to enemies," Damien snapped.
"And now you need that enemy tech to save someone you love. Isn't life poetic?" Adrian leaned forward. "So here's my price: a full pardon from the Tavaran government, and reinstatement of my shares in Sinclair Global."
"You're insane," Nora said. "You want to walk back into the empire you tried to dismantle?"
"I want what's mine," Adrian said simply.
Damien stared him down. "If I agree… and she dies anyway—so do you."
Adrian smirked. "Deal."
---
Location: Black Helix – Cairo Underground Facility, 16 Hours Later
Gaining entry into Black Helix through Adrian's credentials was smoother than anticipated. Too smooth.
Nora's instincts prickled as they walked through sterile white corridors, escorted by men in lab coats and tactical gear. Leona had been transferred via med-jet, sedated, and sealed in a cryo-stabilizer until the antidote could be synthesized.
Inside the lab, Dr. Emil Vargas—the lead scientist behind the neural compound—greeted them with a neutral expression.
"We were expecting you. Adrian called ahead."
"Then start," Damien ordered. "You have the data. You have the blood samples. Fix her."
Vargas raised an eyebrow. "We will. But you should understand… the version of the compound in her system was only tested on animals. She is the first human subject. This will be experimental."
"You'll do it," Nora said, her voice steely. "Because if you don't, I'll make sure this entire place is buried with you inside."
Vargas swallowed hard and nodded. "Understood."
As the team moved to begin synthesis, Adrian strolled to Nora's side. "You know, I never expected to be saving a Sinclair life."
"Let's not pretend you did this out of goodwill," she replied coldly.
Adrian laughed. "True. But it feels good to be needed again. Maybe too good."
Damien shot him a deadly glare.
"You're a pawn, Adrian. Don't ever mistake yourself for a king."