The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1123

Isle of Veil.

The Hawk family was barely holding it together. Their businesses were a mess after everything Solenia had done to sabotage them. And now, with the antidote stolen, their genetic mutation research was completely stalled.

Allanson was seething. He took a long sip of tea, trying to cool down before he finally spoke. “Did you find those people from the countryside?”

“I’ve already sent people out. We should have news soon,” Aloys answered, his tone careful and respectful.

Allanson glared at him. “You keep screwing things up. I don’t want any more mistakes.” He set his teacup down hard on the table, his eyes full of barely concealed anger.

This was the only way they could keep Charlotte under control.

“Yes, sir.” Aloys nodded. He hesitated, then said, “Father, the Churchill family still doesn’t know about the antidote…”

Back in the day, the Churchills were just as obsessed with genetic mutation research as the Hawks. Newell’s father, especially, had pushed every boundary, even experimenting on himself, just like Allanson once did.

The difference was, Allanson had found an antidote. Newell’s father hadn’t been so lucky. He got a sudden infection, and things spiraled out of control with a brutal rejection.

Damaris, desperate to save her husband, went a little mad with her research. She even used their five-year-old son, Newell, as a test subject. In the end, Newell’s father died because of the mutation, and Newell ended up infected too.

They’d caught it early, so Newell hadn’t had any major issues growing up. But the mutation was picking up speed now. It was only a matter of time before Newell’s body started reacting.

Damaris had only agreed to the marriage arrangement because she wanted the antidote the Hawks had. If she ever found out it was gone, who knew what she’d do. Without Churchill support, there was no telling how long the Hawks would stay on top in the Isle of Veil.

Once Aloys was gone, Allanson headed to his private lab. He opened his safe and pulled out the only thing inside: a photo album.

Inside was a photo of a beautiful, gentle-looking woman in a white lab coat. She was smiling softly at the camera. The photo was over forty years old, but it looked brand new.

Allanson stared at it for a few seconds, then traced her face with his fingertip. His voice came out as a low whisper.

“The genetic mutation project you tried so hard to destroy is about to succeed. Aren’t you even a little worried?”

She had been willing to throw away years of her own research to stop the threat of genetic mutation. He knew her well enough to be sure. If she found out the research was back, she would do everything in her power to stop it again.