Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

THE CHAIRMAN’S LITTLE GEM

The ride to the hospital was not a smooth one.

“How long do we have before the inducer wears off?” one man asked, his voice tight with panic.

“We have about thirty minutes more, boss.”

His voice grew more agitated.

“The chairman has already arrived at the hospital. He’s waiting for us. Drive faster—before she wakes up, or else…”

A wave of fear washed through them, each man wearing a different expression of dread.

“Take the shortcut,” another voice said urgently. “It’s the only option. If I’m not mistaken, the young miss will wake up soon.”

Five minutes later…

A car drove roughly into the hospital grounds. Tires screeched as it came to an abrupt stop, drawing a lot of attention.

Doctors rushed out immediately.

A stretcher was already waiting for their arrival.

She was bound tightly onto it, restraints secured like she was some unstable patient instead of someone in danger. Doctors hurried forward, coats flapping as they moved like their lives depended on it.

“Move!”

“Careful—don’t loosen the restraints!”

“Rush her to the room. The chairman is already waiting!”

The stretcher was wheeled through the long white corridors at top speed, the wheels rattling loudly against the tiled floor. The harsh hospital lights reflected off Amelia’s pale face, her lashes unmoving, her chest rising steadily—too steadily.

A hitman slowed behind the others and made the sign of the cross, tears gathering in his eyes.

“I’ve never been a religious person,” he muttered shakily, “but… Alleluia.”

A silent wave of relief washed over them.

Finally.

This storm had passed them by.

Or so they thought.

As the stretcher was pushed deeper into the hospital wing, the atmosphere shifted. Armed guards lined the hallway, standing stiff and alert. No one spoke now. No jokes. No whispers.

Only the sound of hurried footsteps and the steady beep… beep… beep of the machines attached to her body.

They stopped in front of a heavily guarded door.

“This is it,” one of the doctors said quietly. “Prepare yourselves.”

The doors opened.

Inside stood the chairman.

Tall.

Still.

Expression unreadable.

The moment the stretcher crossed the threshold, every man instinctively lowered his head. No one dared to meet his eyes.

He stepped closer, gaze fixed solely on Amelia.

For a long moment, he said nothing.

The silence was suffocating.

“…Explain,” he finally said, his voice calm—too calm.

One of the men swallowed hard.

“S-She completed the mission, sir. But she… lost control.”

The chairman’s eyes flickered briefly toward him.

“Lost,” he repeated slowly, “control?”

“She entered that state,” another man added quickly. “We used inducers as instructed, but we may have—”

“May have?” the chairman cut in softly.

The room went cold.

“We increased the dosage,” the bald man admitted, his voice trembling. “She wouldn’t stop. We panicked.”

The chairman’s hand clenched slowly at his side.

He leaned down, brushing a stray lock of hair away from Amelia’s face. His touch was gentle—almost tender.

“Amelia,” he murmured. “You promised.”

Her lips twitched.

So faintly that only he noticed.

The machines continued to beep steadily.

The doctor cleared his throat nervously.

“Sir… she’s stable for now, but if she wakes up too soon—”

As if responding to the words, Amelia’s fingers twitched.

Once.

Then again.

Every single person in the room froze.

The chairman straightened slowly.

“…Leave us,” he ordered.

“What?”

“S-Sir—?”

“I said,” his voice dropped dangerously low, “leave.”

No one questioned him.

One by one, they backed out of the room, fear gripping their chests as the door closed behind them.

Inside the room

Amelia’s eyes fluttered open.

She stared at the ceiling for a moment before turning her head slightly.

“…Daddy,” she murmured weakly, a lazy smile tugging at her lips. “You came early.”

He tried to keep a serious face.

“You went too far.”

She hummed softly.

“I was having fun.”

“That’s the problem.”

Her smile widened just a little.

Silence filled the room once more.

She kissed his hand that was close to her, looking at him expectantly.

He pinched her cheek.

“You naughty girl.”

She pouted, cheeks showing color on her brown skin.

“I am sorry, Dad. I sincerely promise I won’t do that again. I promise.”

Her big brown eyes shone, knowing her father would pat her head.

He smiled, pinching her cheeks softly.

“You are such a cutie.”

She blinked twice, showing her rabbit teeth, looking like an innocent angel—

or the angel of murder.

“But this trick won’t work on me now,” he said as he patted her head.

“Why won’t it?” she whined, rubbing her head against his palm.

“You need to mingle with people.”

“But—”

“Shhh. It’s alright. I know it’s something you’re not used to. You know I can’t protect you forever. And I’m proud you can take care of yourself.”

A gentle smile spread across his face.

“But Daddy, don’t say that. I will fight for you.”

“No, my little gem. I love you too much. It pains me to see you spill blood.”

“I’m sorry, Dad. I won’t spill blood. I will start going to school. Please stop saying these things.”

Tears fell freely from her eyes.

“Promise me—only when necessary will you spill blood.”

“I promise, Dad. But I—”

Her voice broke.

“It’s alright, my little gem. I will give you the opportunity to choose your school.”

She hastily cleaned her eyes with the hospital sheets, then threw herself into her father’s arms, basking in his warm embrace.

“So you promise to be Daddy’s good little gem?”

“I promise. I won’t cause trouble for anyone. But if they do it to me—”

Her face lit up with excitement.

“Who am I not to return the favor?”