Chapter 237 - Indescribable Fear (1/2)

Slow footsteps echoed across the white marble floors. The walls in each direction were also white, not a single window in sight. Passing through two doors, Henry Hirogori walked into the room where a man by a line of controls stood.

”How has she been doing so far?”

The man looked up from the table of controls and sighed faintly.

”To be honest, better than I imagined. It has been two days, but the girl seems to be holding up. Her heart and blood levels are stable. Everything has been silent for the most part.”

As Henry Hirogori listened, his eyes narrowed. The room they placed Mimi in was where she was testing their new technology. To be more precise, their training advancement for the upcoming Hirogori family members.

Before, it was physical simulations where they would place the Hirogori children in a room with numerous obstacles, such as a kidnapping simulator. But after years, they advanced their technology and managed to develop a miniature computer they could implant into the person's head.

This implant would then give them the experience they selected by utilizing controls. It was to test and strengthen the mental and physical strength of the Hirogori members.

It was two days ago that Henry Hirogori placed Mimi in the simulation. Apart from eating or going to the bathroom, she hardly left the room. Based on what the worker before him explained, she was doing moderately well.

”What level are the settings on?”

”Three, sir.”

Henry Hirogori looked at the girl sitting in the chair quietly, her head lowered. A hidden gleam suddenly lit up within his eyes.

”Put it to five.”

”Sir?” The worker was stunned but closed his mouth when he received Henry Hirogori's sharp and threatening glare.

He nodded his head and swallowed. The highest setting was five. To increase the level to two more...he was certain the girl would either go mad or become permanently damaged.

Under the cold stare of his boss, he pressed a button on the controls and the board seemed to light up. Henry Hirogori shifted his gaze away to look at the girl in the room.

For the first time in two days, her body seemed to stir. The corners of Henry Hirogori's lips curled into a vicious sneer.

...

”F.u.c.k the press and f.u.c.k the investors. If they have a problem, speak to my assistant.” Tobias's voice roared on the phone as he paced. ”At this point, all that matters is that she is returned safely. Let's end this dead-end bullshit. Kill them all if they refuse to talk.”

Sitting on the couch, Alec inwardly cringed. He shifted his pale face up from his laptop to see Tobias ending the call to dial another number. His stomach tightened to see him agonizing over everything that was happening.

Tobias was at home letting his executives handle the fallout. For two days it had been like this, and in those days not once did he return to the company. His mobile and office phone did not stop ringing off the hook.

Tobias still worked, but all matters were attended online or at home, where he would be able to receive information on Mimi.

As of yet, nothing.

The information Juno received from Mimi's contacts was only able to recover the last files she had saved before her disappearance. It was hidden information on the Hirogori family and their underground work. Despite this ground-breaking information, they were left at a dead end with her location.

”Damn it!” Tobias slammed a fist against the wall.

It had been two days. Two days was enough time for him to finish his work, but not enough to numb himself.

The feeling of being alive. The sensation of breathing. These were sensations that he usually tried not to be conscious about, but there were times when he felt that what he was experiencing right now wasn't a nightmare... but reality. She was gone.

Tobias leaned both hands on the table and clenched his teeth. This was the first time since his father's company went bankrupt he was facing such an overwhelmingly, disadvantageous position.

Alec looked at him with concern and sighed, shutting his laptop.

”Tobias, it's been two days, you haven't slept or eaten anything properly since then. Maybe you should...”

”Alec.” Tobias's cold voice sounded through the room, his eyes remained on the table. ”To you, this may not be a big deal, but right now...I can't.”

He couldn't. He couldn't take the risk and take a break. It felt dreary as if the support beneath his feet disappeared.

Hearing his words, Alec suddenly frowned.

”What's that supposed to mean?”

Tobias gave a fake, cold laugh. ”What do you think it means?”

Alec's frown deepened, and he stood up from the sofa.

”You think I'm not worried sick right now about her? She's my sister, how could I not be worried?”

”Your sister?” Tobias's voice was as cold as his eyes. ”If she didn't try to reach out to you, would you ever acknowledge her?”