Reclaiming Her Heart

The two bodyguards boarded the vehicle, one taking the driver's seat. K remained silent, his gaze falling on Raymond's jacket draped over Selena's sleeping form. She remained in deep slumber.

Raymond stood motionless, watching until the car disappeared from view. The moment it vanished, his expression turned razor-sharp.

"Where's Christopher?" he asked Paul, who stood behind him.

"In custody. He still refuses to surrender the chip. Mr. Murray is quite displeased."

That chip was Christopher's lifeline. Surrendering it meant permanent confinement under Ralph's surveillance.

Raymond strode toward his car. "I'm going to get Christopher from Mr. Murray."

Paul's eyes widened as he grabbed the car door. "Raymond, national security trumps personal feelings. Do you honestly think Mr. Murray will take your side? Christopher is under international scrutiny. Mr. Murray won't release him to you. And even if he did, would Christopher obey you? He's not the man you once knew. If anything happened to him under your watch, it could be catastrophic for our country."

Raymond merely glanced at him. "Get in."

Paul fell silent. After years of friendship, he knew better than to argue further.

They drove toward the restricted zone. Several hundred feet before reaching it, sniper reflections glinted from the roadside. One wrong move would mean instant death.

Raymond's vehicle bore a special flag that granted access to classified locations. Upon entering the main hall, he found several high-ranking officials in session. Their brows furrowed at his intrusion.

Raymond approached Ralph. "Mr. Murray, I need to speak with you."

Ralph signaled for the others to leave. Once alone, he set down his teacup. "Your behavior just now warrants execution several times over."

The meeting Raymond had interrupted involved decisions of national importance. Unauthorized entry could be treated as espionage.

"Mr. Murray, I need Christopher with me."

Ralph studied him with grave intensity. "Raymond, because of your covert role in Vistalia, we share common interests. But to everyone else, you're insignificant compared to Christopher. They would sacrifice you for him without hesitation. As a servant of this nation, I cannot hand such a valuable asset over to you. The secrets he carries could alter our country's destiny."

"Mr. Murray, I'm begging you."

Ralph had been friends with William, practically watching Raymond grow up. William had admired Raymond's military conduct, as did Ralph. When Raymond received his secret foreign assignment, only Ralph and William had authorized it, bypassing normal channels. With William gone, only Ralph knew Raymond's true identity.

Ralph frowned, unaware that Selena had been taken, unaware of Raymond's intentions for Christopher. He rose to leave, dismissing the matter.noveldrama

Raymond followed closely behind. "Mr. Murray, Christopher is the only one who's been inside that research facility. With him, I could infiltrate it again. I know we've lost brilliant minds there, but someone must return. That facility continues to operate, and Christopher only escaped by luck. Our knowledge remains too limited. Just let Christopher accompany me, and I'll uncover the truth!"

He spoke rapidly, following Ralph outside where a downpour had begun.

Ralph grew angry. "Raymond, enough of this madness. I'll pretend I never heard this. After losing so many people, now that we finally have information about the experiment, how could I possibly entrust it to you?"

Raymond dropped to his knees. "Mr. Murray..."

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But Ralph turned and walked away without looking back.

Paul stood behind Raymond, holding an umbrella. "Raymond, let's go. Even with his

trust in you, Mr. Murray can't risk this. If anything went wrong, he'd be condemned by history. People already covet his position, and factional politics are treacherous. Everyone's playing it safe now."

Raymond knelt in place. "Paul, you go ahead."

Paul recognized unwavering resolve when he saw it.

The torrential rain continued for two days. Raymond knelt for two days.

Initially, Ralph passed by without pausing.

By the second afternoon, seeing Raymond's back still perfectly straight, Ralph's brow furrowed. He approached under a black umbrella.

Raymond was soaked through, his lips pale. Having gone two days without food, his stomach churned painfully, but he endured.