Chapter 1546
The shadowy philanthropist behind the scenes had indeed provided sanctuary for so many refugees
that no one harbored any doubts.
Besides, those who claimed they'd been taken to work on Wall Street were indeed intermittently
sending dollars back home, adding a veneer of truth to the tale.
Ian squinted down at the smoggy, dismal environment below.
It was unbearable for him, but for those who'd lived in squalor, this place was a slice of heaven.
At the heart of it all, they'd even erected a statue of the great benefactor. It was said that people flocked
there daily to pay homage.
Ian had gotten the lay of the land and, as dusk fell, made another round through the settlement.
Despite the semblance of freedom, surveillance cameras lurked in every corner, and patrols roamed
the area.
Many hadn't retired for the night, chatting on the park benches, buzzing about the latest illness.
The people here had long suffered from disease, with a woefully inadequate healthcare system. Each
outbreak claimed many lives.
Their fear was palpable as they spoke of the disease, their bodies trembling with dread.
Ian regrouped with his team, and the news they'd gathered was consistent.
If there were no surprises, those who'd been taken to work on Wall Street were actually being taken to
a research facility.
The facility had its standards for human subjects used in experiments; they were looking for individuals
with specific talents or high intelligence.
It was clear that the philanthropist had covered his tracks expertly. After all these years, no one had
uncovered the truth, a feat in itself.
The two locations marked on the map had been scouted, and the map was legitimate.
The informant who'd given him the map was certainly an insider at the research facility, and held no
low-ranking position.
Yet, why would this person know about Forbidden Island?
Although Forbidden Island also supplied talent to the research facility, it was clear that it belonged to
someone very specific.
In a place like the research facility, everyone's identity was cloaked in mystery.
Moreover, the explosion that night on Forbidden Island indicated that its master had wanted both him
and Maja dead, and this master seemed to have connections with K.
This didn't add up. The map-giver knew every nook of Forbidden Island, knowledge not gained by a
mere visitor.
Knowing even the secret passages and means of external communication suggested intimate
familiarity.
"Sir, what's our move now?"
Both points had been investigated, and the research facility's location was marked on the map, but
there was no indication of how to infiltrate it.
A direct assault would be a fool's errand.
Ian leaned against a nearby wall, watching the people bustle by, a sly smile creeping onto his lips. NôvelDrama.Org copyrighted © content.
"Let's head back."
The welfare center was a place of freedom; they could leave just as easily as they had entered that
night.
Thanks to their praises, the welfare center's population ballooned, drawing in people from every
nationality.
Back at the hotel, 00 was already waiting for them.
"Sir." Coոtent of Drąмąոovеls.cоm
"00, head to the welfare center. With your skills, you'll be chosen for the research center."
"Understood."
Ian's face remained stoic as he dismissed the others to speak with 00 alone.
He was willing to fulfill any last wishes for her.