Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 107: It’s A Secret

Chapter 107: It’s A Secret

Mandy knew Lyra wouldn’t offer any comforting words, yet she felt a deep sense of security around her. Suddenly, she flung herself into Lyra’s arms, letting out all her emotions in loud, uncontrollable sobs.

"I... I hate feeling this weak, but what he said really got to me...!"

Lyra stood by the window, silent and patient as Mandy cried. After a while, she gently nudged Mandy back and took a tissue from Morrison, wiping away Mandy’s tears with a practiced hand.

"In the grand scheme of things, men are just one piece of life’s puzzle. If you build your strength, there’ll be plenty more like Alon to choose from," Lyra said, her voice cool and detached, yet somehow comforting.

Mandy nodded slightly, pulling herself together, though still a bit embarrassed. "About the money you lent me..."

"I was going to dock your pay by ten percent until it was repaid. But Morrison mentioned you’ve been doing well at work, so I decided to give you a ten percent raise. That way, your raise cancels out the repayment. You don’t owe me anything, but you won’t see a pay bump anytime soon either."

Lyra lightly patted Mandy’s shoulder with her slender fingers. "From now on, watch and learn from Morrison on how to manage people. Keep your head high, and don’t let anyone push you around."

It was as if Lyra had passed some of her own strength onto Mandy. Feeling a renewed sense of resolve, Mandy nodded and headed back to the workshop.

In the office, Morrison noticed a rare, slight smile on Lyra’s face. Unable to resist, he asked, "You really see potential in her, don’t you?"

"A third-level Peculiar at eighteen, and a military cadet to boot—do you think talents like that are common?"

Besides, Mandy had a clean slate. She was the type to be fiercely loyal once she committed to someone, making her worth the investment.

"And you," Lyra added with a sharp look, "should be finding more people like her unless you’re aiming to work around the clock."

Morrison’s eyelid twitched. Lyra was generous, no doubt, but she definitely knew how to get the most out of everyone around her.

The next day, Lyra made another visit to the Mendezs.

Not wanting to risk any more delays, Alon promptly presented her with the contract. "If everything looks good, we can move on to the inspection."

"There’s one thing," Lyra said, pointing to the one hundred million penalty clause. "Make it ten times higher."

Alon’s expression tightened. "You don’t trust us?"

She met his gaze, her tone light but firm. "Why should I?"

Her words left him no room to argue. He quickly adjusted the contract and handed it back. "Now, can we see the thing I wanted?"

"Bring them out."

A housekeeper appeared, placing a sleek black metal box on the coffee table. She carefully lifted the lid to reveal a small green fruit with white spots.

At present, there’s no straightforward way to determine the exact level of these plants. Only specialized energy-detection devices can give an accurate reading.

Lyra pulled out her own device and scanned the fruit. The screen flashed the result: White Dots, level-nine.

Satisfied, she and Alon signed the contract and proceeded with the treatment for Jorathon.

Perhaps due to the stress caused by Vivian’s issues, Jorathon’s health had worsened after his outburst. He looked noticeably weaker, even within just one day.

Lying in bed, the old man’s voice was full of hope. "I’m counting on you. Thanks for doing this."

"It’s a mutual benefit." Lyra took out the prepared medicine, ready to administer it.

Just then, a doctor, summoned by Alon, stepped in. "We need to examine that first."

Lyra swiftly dodged his hand, her expression hardening. "This is a secret formula."

The air instantly thickened with tension.

Jorathon gestured for the doctor to step back. "If it’s a secret formula, I’m sure she knows what she’s doing." He glanced at Lyra, who gave a confident nod.

"I’m glad you understand, Mr. Mendez, said Lyra."

Jorathon chuckled, sure that she couldn’t pull any tricks under his watchful eye. He took the medicine and downed it, grimacing at the bitterness.

But as soon as Lyra activated her superpower, his eyes widened in astonishment—it was actually working.

Jorathon suffered from a brutal genetic disease known as Brain Stiffness, one of the deadliest in the Alliance.

The disease caused rapid brain cell death, leading to the brain and brainstem hardening over time. Even those with superpowers found their abilities gradually weakening until, at death, the brain would shrink to the size of a walnut.

Along the way, the condition could cause paralysis, memory loss, epilepsy, and other severe issues.

Despite the Mendez family’s immense wealth, which had provided the best care possible, Jorathon had reached a stage where even top experts were at a loss.

So when he heard that someone in the Wright family had been cured through genetic therapy, he wasted no time and spared no expense to enlist Lyra’s help.

His anger at the person who nearly killed her was so intense that he banished them to a remote planet as punishment.

Now, as his withered nerve cells regained their vitality, even his once-fading superpower felt strong again. He was on the verge of tears, overwhelmed with relief.

About five hours later, a visibly drained Lyra finally withdrew her superpower. Alon, who had been keeping a close watch, quickly stood up. "Is it done?"

When she nodded, a group of doctors rushed forward to examine Jorathon. They stared at his rejuvenated, healthy brain in stunned silence.

"He’s actually cured?!"

"This is a miracle!"

"What kind of medicine did she use? We need to know!"

Their eyes were locked on Lyra, burning with curiosity. ’Is it her unique superpower or the mysterious medicine that worked?’ But, bound by confidentiality agreements, they couldn’t voice their questions.

Lyra took a moment to catch her breath, then stretched out her hand to Alon. "Bring me the level-nine White Dots."

Alon nodded, signaling the housekeeper to present the box to Lyra. She glanced at it but didn’t reach out to take it. Instead, she looked Alon in the eye and asked, "What’s this supposed to mean?"

Alon, still riding the wave of his earlier joy, narrowed his eyes slightly. "I’m not sure what you’re implying."

Lyra’s voice turned icy. "I asked for level-nine White Dots, but you’re handing me a level-eight. Do you think I’m that easy to fool?"

Alon laughed, as if she had told a joke. "Check it yourself. Now you accuse us of deceit? It seems you’re the one trying to stir up trouble."

"I’m the one making things difficult?" Lyra echoed, her lips twisting into a mocking smile.

At that moment, Jorathon, who had been listening quietly, sat up in bed. He threw on a coat, and smiled kindly. "Young miss, I could really use that level-nine White Dots. How about you take this level-eight one, and I’ll compensate you for the difference?"

Standing alone in the large treatment room, Lyra raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with ice. "So, you’re planning to betray me after I helped you?"

Jorathon chuckled softly, his voice calm. "Not exactly. But since my granddaughter went through quite an ordeal because of you, as her grandfather, it’s only fair that I settle the score on her behalf."

As they locked eyes, both the old man and the young woman exchanged cryptic smiles, each reading the other like a well-worn book.

But then, in a shocking twist, the once-commanding Jorathon turned pale and collapsed.

The doctors rushed to his side, their urgent examination quickly turning to disbelief.

"How could this happen?" they exclaimed, bewildered as they watched the disease they thought had been cured return with a vengeance, aggressively attacking his brain.

"You...!" Alon, consumed by rage, hurled a water bullet at Lyra. "What have you done?!"

Lyra easily sidestepped the attack, a calm smile playing on her lips. "So, you’re allowed to deceive me with level-eight plants, but I’m not allowed a little trick of my own?"

Alon’s eyes widened as the realization hit him—she had known all along that the box didn’t contain the level-nine White Dots!

"How did you know?" he demanded, scanning the room with suspicion, searching for any sign of betrayal among his people.