So what?
There was no proof.
Black Mirage's face turned livid, and the rasping sound from his throat grew louder.
Serena slowly stood up straight, looking down at his twisted face from above.
"Did you really think your pathetic, parasitic schemes could ever shake the indomitable spirit of this nation?"
"In your dreams."
She smirked, her expression one of wicked, unrestrained confidence, a commanding aura that towered over him.
"Ah! Aaaah!" Black Mirage screamed in fury.
Nicholas had already walked up behind Serena and once again took her hand. He glanced up at the Department of Defense captain. "Thank you for your hard work. Take these men away. This should allow you to root out many of the footholds they've established within Elyndor."
The captain gave Nicholas a military salute, then turned and saluted Serena as well, before giving his command. "Take all the Norvane operatives away!"
Everything was cleaned up, leaving no trace behind.
***
The Lancaster family manor.
The atmosphere was heavy.
After hearing what Mr. Harrison's assistant had said, everyone's heart was in their throat.
Old Mr. Lancaster’s brow furrowed deeply as if a thought had struck him. He suddenly clutched his chest, his face turning pale.
"Grandfather!"
Julian immediately rushed forward to support him.
The old man's breathing was ragged.
Alfred quickly took out Old Mr. Lancaster's medication. "This is the medicine Miss Serena prepared for him."
After swallowing a pill, Old Mr. Lancaster's color finally improved slightly.
The rest of the Lancaster family also looked over, their faces filled with worry.
Isabella suppressed a smile. Just as she was about to suggest to the family that "Serena might be doing something she can't be disturbed from," the call was suddenly connected.
The girl's cool voice came through the line, sounding crisp and pleasant.
"Hello?"
Isabella's sharp ears picked up a muffled grunt-like sound in the background.
Her eyes darted around.
Could it be… Serena was in the middle of…
She immediately seized the chance to speak. "Serena, it's me. Where are you right now? You haven't been home these past few days, and Grandfather, Mom, Dad, and Julian miss you a lot. They were afraid to call you, so… I wanted to call on their behalf and see how you're doing."
She deliberately avoided mentioning that everyone knew she wasn't at the research institute.
She wanted Serena to lie to them all again, right in front of the family!

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