Twins in Her Womb (Bianca and Luke Crawford novel) novel Chapter 3443

Luca had not expected Abel and Shanks’ relationship to be like this.

It seemed Abel still did not trust Shanks.

Shanks continued, “Abel isn’t someone who trusts people easily. He doesn’t trust anyone. You think he’s devoted to Kassy now, right? That’s just his obsession. He's allowing Kassy to receive my treatment, but if it were him… No matter if he were blind or crippled, his safety would always come first. If he were seriously injured, maybe he’d accept treatment, but he definitely wouldn’t do it right away.”

Luca stayed silent. Shanks really understood Abel well.

Abel did not trust anyone—not even Kassy.

Calling him paranoid would not be an exaggeration.

Luca felt like they were getting off-topic, but she had never seen this side of Shanks before.

In her mind, he was always buried in his work at the lab, only leaving for meals and sleep. Other than that, he was practically never outside.

The lab was like his home…

“Are you troubled by Hera’s situation?” Luca asked directly.

For Shanks to step out of the lab and even be drinking, it made her think they could have an honest conversation about it.

“Not exactly.” Shanks’ deep blue eyes remained calm, unaffected by the alcohol. He said, “I’m just wondering if my research has any meaning.”

He had never doubted his work before.

His experiments always had a purpose. Even if they could not be made public, he knew that if his research was ever revealed, it would cause a major shift in the medical field.

However, this time, his research might put people at risk, and it was something he never wanted.

Even though this experiment could help a lot of people, Abel’s actions made him question everything.

Was it really worth it?

Shanks did not pity Hera. He just had a bad feeling that if this experiment succeeded, Abel would become even more unhinged.

“It could help so many people,” Luca said in a soft voice. If made public, it could change lives.

The transplant requirements were not even that strict.

Shanks smiled. Of course, he knew how many people it could help.

However, it could also give Abel more power to hurt people. “It’s time someone stood up to him.”

Luca gazed at the setting sun. When she heard him, she turned around to look at him. “What…”

“He’s too dangerous. He’s a threat to the safety of the world. Luca, people like him shouldn’t be allowed to exist. Do you understand what I mean?” Shanks said in a low voice.

Luca felt a chill run through her. Was he saying… Abel needed to die?

However, would Shanks actually do it? Even if Shanks made a move, it would not necessarily put Abel in danger. On the surface, they were working together, but neither of them truly relied on the other.

The funding for Shanks’ research could come from anywhere while Abel could always find someone else to replace Shanks. They could turn on each other at any time.

Still, after all these years, they had managed to coexist peacefully. Luca was almost certain that Shanks would not make a move. He would not be the one to break the balance.

She tried to decipher Shanks’ words but did not dare say too much. She was afraid of slipping up and revealing Luke’s plan.

“Mr. Shanks, what are you planning to do?” Luca frowned and asked.

“It’s not about what I’m going to do. It’s about what I’m waiting for.” Shanks’ grip on the beer bottle tightened, the glass creaking under the pressure.

A sense of unease washed over Luca. She had the feeling Shanks was implying something.

“Mr. Shanks, let’s not overthink things. For now, we should focus on treating Ms. Sanchez,” suggested Luca.

Their child being in good health was the most reassuring news a parent could ever hear.

“No need to thank me. I believe you’ll be reunited soon.” Then, Shanks left the balcony.

Luca listened to his words, narrowing her eyes as she watched the sun slowly sink below the horizon. For the first time in a long while, she felt real hope for the future.

She picked up her phone and sent Luke a message, detailing everything that had just happened. She also told him that she trusted Shanks.

Or rather, it was not that she trusted Shanks—Shanks was the one trusting them.

A chill ran down her spine. She had no idea when Shanks first started noticing that something was off about her. Even Abel did not know about that…

Then, a terrifying thought struck her. If Shanks, who spent all his time in the lab, had figured it out, what about Abel? Had he known all along?

Was that why he had initially refused to let her participate in the operation?

Had he been silently aware of everything and just waiting for Luke to make a move so that when the time came, he could use her and their child as leverage?

Luca and the children were Luke’s greatest weakness.

A wave of fear crashed over Luca, making her tremble. Abel never seemed like someone who could be patient.

Yet he had endured for so long for the sake of avenging Kassy.

He had built the Island of Despair from nothing, turning it into the powerful force it was today.

He had given her three years—three years to transform herself, all so he could use her against Luke.

Luca anxiously picked at her fingers. Finally, she sent another message to Luke: [Luke, I don’t know if Abel is aware of our plan. Please be careful.]