At midnight, Stella followed Frederick back to his apartment.
He took the medicine from the refrigerator and sat on the chair in front of the dining table. He then coldly gestured Stella to sit next to him.
Stella Grace took a look at the blue medicine and the syringe in his hand. She sat next to Frederick Addington then rolled up her sleeves to expose her fair arms.
Frederick’s lips twitched. “Aren’t you afraid of dying? I told you before that once the symptoms kick in, not only would you feel as if your body is being torn apart, you could also die in the most painful way as well.”
Yet Stella stared at Frederick calmly.
Sometimes, death could have its significance. Rather than her struggling to survive, it would worth more to exchange her life for Jasper Milton’s.
“Weren’t you the one who insisted on having me injected with this?” Stella asked coldly.
“Haha.” Frederick chuckled.
That was true, he was the one who insisted on the injection. Was he hoping her to beg for mercy?
If she begged, would it stop him from injecting the virus into her body?
Of course not!
Frederick’s eyes were sharp as he injected the virus into Stella’s arm.
Stella felt a chill down her spine and cold sweat started to fall from her forehead. She felt a little dizzy and she could hear her breathing ringing in her ears.
It was as if she was in a dark place. Nothing could be seen or heard.
However, because there was a belief in her heart, even if she was lonely, there was no regret.
Gradually, her vision cleared up and she could hear the clock ticking.
She looked at Frederick.
“This injection needs to be done once a month. When your body starts to feel like is tearing apart, and when your nose, eyes, and ears start to bleed, that is the limit.” Frederick explained.
“How many years could I live if I continued having this injected in me?” Stella questioned calmly.
There was a crack in Frederick’s eyes. When he thought of her dying, his heart clenched. He looked calm on the surface, but his eyes had slowly turned red. “You shall live as long as I want you to.”
Her expression did not change at all. It did not matter how long she could live. It was not something that was worth rejoicing about.
“Take me to Jasper now. I’ll have him sign the agreement. Please let him out tomorrow.”
“It’s already late now, are you sure?” Frederick asked suspiciously.
She could understand how Jasper would feel, being locked up and slandered as a spy. Moreover, he was worried about her safety. He must be feeling anxious.
As the days passed, the torment in his heart would only build up with more pressure.
The sooner he was rescued, the better.
“Aren’t you also afraid that something out of your control would happen?” Stella said sarcastically.
“Jasper will surely get into trouble this time. Why should I be worried? Indeed, it’s better to sign the agreement as soon as possible.” Frederick stood up and tidied up his clothes.
“Are you sure that he would be released by tomorrow if he signs this today?” Stella wanted reassurance.
“It’s possible.” Frederick smiled and walked out.
Stella followed.
In the car, she wore a blindfold.
“Why must I be blindfolded?” Stella was puzzled.
“Jasper’s identity is special. The organization is afraid that someone would rescue him and make things worse. He is locked up in a hidden place. Even his parents can’t visit him.” Frederick explained.
Stella’s eyebrows creased tightly.
Jasper must be lonely. He was probably facing endless interrogations every day. Even if he was innocent, he must have felt miserable. After all, he was suspected by the country which he was protecting.
Stella felt upset. She lowered her head, closed her eyes, and her tears wet the eyepiece.
She didn’t say anything and endured her emotions secretly.
An hour later, someone took her out of the car.
She was dragged away.
She tripped over the steps as the blindfold had compromised her vision. Her knees hit the stairs, and she let out a muffled groan.
Frederick’s eyes tightened. He slapped his subordinate and growled fiercely, “You didn’t even warn her about the steps. Do you wish to be dead?”
“I’m sorry, Commander, I wasn’t paying attention.” The subordinate trembled as he covered his face with his hands.
Frederick pulled Stella up and took off her blindfold.
Stella was a little surprised to hear others addressing Frederick as a Commander.
But it wasn’t really surprised when she thought about it. He had a hidden identity all along.
She saw few dozens of armed guards standing in front of her, surrounding the door solemnly.
The structure of the building was unique. It was arch-shaped and had no windows.
Frederick shook off Stella’s hand and stated coldly, “Follow me.”
Stella tailed him to a corridor, which was more than 100 meters long, and went downstairs.
Frederick turned around and grabbed Stella’s arm.
But she shook his hand off on reflex.
Frederick gritted his teeth. His eyes were sharp and his expression was unhappy. He marched forward at a fast pace.
Stella followed him quickly. It took two minutes for her to go down the stairs. The area below was spacious.
There were two guards in front of each door.
Frederick stopped in front of one of the rooms and glanced at Stella. “He’s inside.”
Stella clenched her fists and walked towards the door.
Frederick looked down on her pale face. “Do you need my company in there?”
“No, thank you,” Stella replied coldly.
Frederick sneered as he knocked on the door. Then he turned around.
The soldier pushed the door open.
Stella felt a cold breeze swept past her face, and half of her heart went cold along with it.
Jasper was in such a harsh environment. The light inside was very dim, as if the room was lighted only with candles.
She could vaguely see that Jasper was lying on the wooden bed behind the iron bars, and there wasn’t even a quilt.
“No matter how many times you ask, the answer will be the same. The weapon discovered under the land is not mine.” Jasper mumbled in a deep voice. He didn’t even open his eyes while he rested his arms on his forehead, motionless.
Stella stood in front of the iron bars and held it. Her eyes were teary and swollen.
She tried her best to hold back her tears, and she spoke softly, “Jasper.”
Hearing Stella’s voice, Jasper looked beyond the bars in surprise. He rushed to the iron bars and held Stella’s hand. He questioned worriedly, “Why are you here? Did you go to Frederick? Or did he come to you? What did you agree to him?”
“I requested from Frederick to meet you. There are some things that I wish to figure out. Jasper, what is going on?” Stella asked.
“Frederick must have known about me taking over the land. Then he buried the weapons in and framed me.”
“Could you prove your innocence?” Stella’s eyes sparkled.
Jasper was silent. However, fifteen seconds later, he stated, “I’m innocent. I have a clear conscience.”
Stella understood.
The right or wrong and the true or false in this world were not based on the individual itself. It was a fact that would be decided by others.
If they thought that you were innocent despite having committed the crime, you could still be released.
If they thought that you were guilty when you were clearly innocent, you could still be convicted and sentenced.
She already knew what she should do!