Orion didn't argue. The two of them took a car to Bistrova. He didn't even drive this time; he let his chauffeur take the wheel.

When they arrived at the private dining room, they realized they weren't alone.

Sebastian and Thaddeus were already there.

Sebastian looked at Lemira. "Next time we get together, let me pick the place. What's even good to eat at Bistrova?"

"It's just the closest option," Lemira replied. "We have business to discuss anyway. We can try somewhere else next time."

Sebastian dropped the subject, having only brought it up to make his presence known.

Thaddeus cut straight to the chase. "I've been looking into Rowan recently. He really hasn't stepped foot outside The Aether Research Facility in years. I can't dig up anything about what goes on inside the island yet."

"It's a tough place to investigate," Lemira murmured thoughtfully.

"Who says so?"

Sebastian spoke up with a hint of arrogance, glancing around the table. "I might just be a humble attorney, but I have my connections."

Lemira looked surprised. "Spill it, then. Stop keeping us in suspense."

"It was pure luck, really. A friend of mine took on an employee arbitration case involving the island facility."

Lemira was even more taken aback. "The employees were unhappy with their treatment?"

"Yeah. They claimed they were fired without cause and denied their rightful severance. But right as my friend was gearing up to confront their HR, the facility just handed over the compensation without a fight. The whole thing wrapped up quickly."

Sebastian paused for dramatic effect. "However, I managed to get that employee's contact info and asked a few questions about the island. The guy was just a junior research assistant, so he didn't know much about their classified projects.

"But he did mention Rowan. He said that once Rowan took over as Chief of Research, he completely overhauled the unfair practices and toxic work environment. Rowan is incredibly popular on the island."

The uneasy feeling in Lemira's chest grew stronger as she listened.

None of this had happened in her past life. Rowan had never become the head of the research team at Aether.

Orion

34 is employee

at Sebastian. "So the

bet

I before Rowant

over?

"Exactly."

fook.

Orion turned to Thaddeus. "Look into the people who used to work on the island before the shift."

Lemira smiled faintly. "I never expected disgruntled employees to be our breakthrough."

Anyone fired without cause would naturally seek legal protection.

Sebastian leaned forward. "Are you seriously going to let Rowan handle the treatment? It sounds sketchy."

"We can

suggest him try," Lemira

suggested. "But we should still look

for another organ donor match as a backup plan."

Thaddeus took a phone call, his expression shifting into something complicated. "I found out who

sabotaged the organ donor match. was Sophia's doing."

Orion's gaze turned somber. "How did she find out?"

"Probably sneaked the info out of Gregory."

Lemira frowned and looked at Orion. "Hasn't Sophia contacted you?"

Before Orion could answer, his phone buzzed. The caller ID flashed Sophia's name.

"Speak of the devil," Sebastian quipped. "Looks like some romantic debts always come due."

"I have no romantic debt with Sophia," Orion clarified with a frown.

"Then answer it. Let's see what she wants."

Lemira gave Orion a subtle nod.

Reluctantly, Orion accepted the call and put it on speaker so everyone could hear.

A woman's soft, slightly bitter voice drifted through the line.

"Orion, I heard about your mother's condition. I can persuade my mom to donate her kidney."