CHAPTER 52: ALLIES PART 2

"It’s best we leave no traces. After all, we don’t want the Russian government putting targets on our heads."

Terrence couldn’t agree more.

Stealing the diamond was one thing, but if an entire regime got involved, it would leave them in a difficult situation afterward.

Carefully, he spread the documents out on the table and scrutinized them, nodding slightly in appreciation of the flawless forgeries.

The crisp paper and authentic-looking stamps spoke volumes about the meticulous planning that had gone into this mission.

Not just that, he also got a folder full of information about his fake identity. Now his name would be James Bishop, an ordinary gym trainer from Sweet Home, Alabama, visiting Russia as a tourist.

So he also needed to travel to Alabama first, then catch another plane. It was a hassle, but a necessary one.

’So my flight is four days from now, huh,’ Terrence murmured, glancing at the flight itinerary printed on the document.

Counting in his head, he tried to figure out if he could absorb the whole moonstone before then.

’It’s barely manageable, but if I just focus on it, then it won’t be an issue,’

There was another reason he wanted to assimilate with the stone first.

In addition to possibly obtaining the coveted Lunar State, the moonstone brimmed with an intense reservoir of mana.

This could propel him to the second stage.

While the difference between the first and second stage was merely a single rank, the leap in abilities was profound.

A practitioner at the second stage could easily contend with multiple first-stage fighters simultaneously.

Such a surge in power was unattainable in his previous life. This only served to highlight that his talent and potential was now better.

"Is there an issue with the schedule?" Dr. Ivan inquired, breaking the silence that had settled in the room.

"No, not at all. And consider this mission done," Terrence declared.

Ivan’s eyebrows shot up at the bold assurance. "Are you really that confident?"

Terrence just smiled. "In the unlikely event we’re detected, no one in that mansion can stop me,"

The aura around him burst out with such intensity that a white, mist-like haze became visible. The glow in his eyes only added to his overwhelming demeanor.

This formidable display of power was trivial in the future, but for Ivan, it was a terrifying revelation.

"Good," Ivan managed to return the smile, although it was a small one. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief mingled with awe.

If Terrence was this powerful, there was nothing anyone in the lab could have done to stop him from killing them all if they betrayed him.

His gut feeling about trusting the young man was turning out to be the right choice.

On top of that, his daughter liked Terrence too, so it felt was a win-win situation.

Unbeknownst to Ivan, Terrence was merely speaking hypothetically, exaggerating his capabilities.

’Shit, good thing it worked,’ he thought, keeping his face as blank as a freshly painted wall to avoid getting busted.

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Thirty minutes later, the meeting ended.

They walked to another floor of the underground laboratory.

When the door hissed open, a woman in a lab coat didn’t bother to look back, knowing full well that only her father could bypass the lock without her permission.

She stayed focused on examining a specimen under a microscope.

Although she wore a lab coat, it did little to hide the curves of her figure. The fabric hugged her shape, and her long legs made it stand out even more.

Ivan stepped closer and glanced at her workbench.

"Anna, what are you working on?" he asked.

Without looking up, she answered.

"It’s a species of mushroom native to Central Africa," she explained. "When processed, it produces an enzyme that accelerates cell regeneration. The problem is, the enzyme becomes inactive once it comes in contact with hemoglobin."

Ivan raised an eyebrow. "So exposure to blood neutralizes it?"

"Exactly," she said, scribbling a note on her pad. "The protein structure degrades within seconds. I’m trying to find a stabilizing agent that keeps it active in a wound environment."

"Have you considered using a synthetic carrier molecule?" Ivan asked.

"I did. I tried encapsulating the enzyme in liposomes, but the release rate was too slow. The tissue didn’t absorb enough to have any real effect."

He nodded. "What about cross-linking it with polyethylene glycol? That could shield it from immediate breakdown."

"That’s what I’m testing next. If it works, we could produce a topical treatment that speeds up recovery by at least 80 percent."

"By the way, Father, why did you come?" Anna asked, still focused on her work.

Ivan decided to play a prank on her.

"What do you think of Terrence? Do you like him?" he asked, putting the actual person in an awkward spot.

"Like..." She trailed off, still peering into her microscope. "I don’t think like is enough to describe what I’m feeling."

She paused to adjust the focus knob. "But I don’t think he feels the same. He doesn’t even bother to text me back."

Ivan narrowed his eyes and turned to stare at the culprit.

Terrence stood a few steps behind, scratching the back of his head and looking a bit guilty. He had been too busy lately, and honestly, after his night with Emily, he wanted to take a break from anything involving a bed.

Who could blame him? Emily had ridden him so hard that even an Apache helicopter would be embarrassed.

"Maybe he’s just busy," Ivan said, trying to give his future son-in-law the benefit of the doubt.

"Busy?" She pulled her eyes away from the microscope and frowned.

The look on her face said it all. She tried not to show it, but it still ate at her that he always seemed to have time for other girls, but not her.

This was the first time she had fallen in love, and right from the start, she was the one chasing him.