Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 150: Unseen Crossroads

Kendrick parked a short distance away, his eyes locked on the front entrance.

Before he could process why she might be here, a familiar figure stepped out of a sleek black car parked across the lot. Kaelion, dressed in casual black jeans and a loose white shirt, moved quickly across the pavement toward Zephany’s car.

Kendrick watched as Zephany got out of her seat, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as Kaelion approached. Even from here, he could see the way her lips curved into a shy smile.

"Idol! You’re here!" Kaelion’s voice carried faintly, full of an easy warmth. "You don’t have work today?"

She nodded lightly, her tone softer than usual. "Hmm... hi. I decided to spend the day composing music. Sorry for not coming yesterday."

"It’s okay," Kaelion replied, smiling. "I was busy yesterday anyway. I’m glad you’re here today."

The two of them started walking side by side toward the studio entrance, their conversation continuing in low, relaxed tones.

Inside his car, Kendrick’s jaw tightened. His hand curled into a fist on the armrest, knuckles paling. There was something in the way she smiled at Kaelion—open, comfortable—that stirred a sharp ache in his chest.

So... is he the reason you didn’t accept my confession? The thought came uninvited, cold and bitter. Because you already like someone else?

His gaze stayed fixed on them until they disappeared into the building.

He sat there for a long while, the breakfast bag untouched on the seat beside him.

He didn’t even notice when a car pulled up behind him until the sound of a tapping on his window broke his thoughts. He turned to see Cassius leaning slightly, a faintly amused smile playing at his lips.

"You planning to sit here all day, or is this your new job?" Cassius said in his usual laid-back, almost teasing tone.

Kendrick didn’t answer right away. He rolled the window down slightly. "What are you doing here?"

Cassius shrugged. "Following you. Or maybe I was just in the neighborhood."

Sophia appeared a moment later, standing by the passenger side with her arms crossed. "We both know that’s not true," she said dryly.

Cassius glanced toward the studio building, then back at Kendrick. "So... that’s her, huh? And that’s him?" His voice was casual, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes.

Kendrick didn’t respond, his gaze shifting back to the entrance where Zephany had disappeared.

Cassius tilted his head, studying him. "You know, for someone who’s supposed to be taking it easy these days, you sure like giving yourself a headache."

Sophia’s lips curved faintly, though her tone stayed even. "If you ask me, it looks like you’re overthinking again."

Kendrick exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face. "Maybe I am. Or maybe I’m just seeing things clearly."

Cassius leaned back against his own car. "Clearly, huh? Well, I’ll tell you what I see. I see a guy sitting in a car with breakfast for a girl, watching her walk into a music studio with someone else. And I see him doing absolutely nothing about it."

Sophia added quietly, "It’s your choice if you want to stay here or walk in there. But either way, that food’s getting cold."

Kendrick’s eyes flicked to the paper bag on the seat, then back to the studio. For a moment, no one spoke.

Cassius finally broke the silence with a half-smile. "Just saying, if this were one of those romantic dramas Pia likes to binge-watch, this is the part where the guy storms in and interrupts everything. Makes a big scene. Wins her over. Cue emotional music."

Kendrick gave him a flat look. "You’ve been spending too much time with Pia."

"Maybe," Cassius admitted with a grin.

Sophia glanced at her watch. "Whatever you decide, make it quick. We have work to do."

But Kendrick didn’t move. His fingers drummed once against the wheel before falling still, the ache in his chest deepening.

Sophia broke the silence first. "Well, we have things to do. We can only wish you luck and stop overthinking things."

Cassius gave a small chuckle but didn’t respond right away. Instead, he turned the key and drove off, their car moving through the morning traffic toward the Elite Legacy Institute.

When they pulled into the institute’s parking area, Sophia glanced at the open laptop balanced on her lap. The feed from their surveillance camera showed Kendrick still sitting inside his car, staring at the music studio as if debating whether to get out or leave.

She smirked, eyes still on the screen. "Excited to see your daughter?" she asked teasingly.

Cassius didn’t even try to hide the grin spreading across his face. "Of course. I need to make sure there are no unwanted bees buzzing around my princess. Especially now that she’s grown up."

Sophia leaned back in her seat, shaking her head slightly. "Why do I suddenly feel sorry for her?"

Cassius shot her a curious glance. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing," she said with a sly smile, clearly enjoying keeping him guessing.

Cassius studied her for another second, then sighed in mock defeat. "Alright, keep your secrets." He checked his watch and straightened his jacket. "Okay, I’m going. Keep monitoring Kendrick. I hope that boy finally makes his move and stops hesitating." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Sophia nodded, already shifting her attention back to the laptop. "I’ll keep an eye on him."

Cassius stepped out of the car, the morning air carrying a faint breeze. He walked with an unhurried confidence toward the Commerce Wing of the Elite Legacy Institute. The hallways buzzed with student chatter, and the polished floors reflected the bright overhead lights.

He made his way through the familiar corridors until he stopped in front of Room B-204. Through the open door, he spotted Levy sitting with her classmates, chatting animatedly. A small, protective smile touched his lips before he stepped inside.

---

[104 Days Left to Live]

In a dimly lit room on the other side of the city, the air was thick with the quiet hum of surveillance equipment. Reynold sat with his arms crossed, eyes fixed on the large monitor in front of him. Beside him, Jeric leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his gaze equally intent.

For days, this had been their routine. They had installed hidden cameras all over the abandoned hospital after spotting Brent leaving the place some days ago. Since then, they had taken turns watching the feeds, waiting for something—anything—to happen.

But the last several days had been still. Too still.

"Same as yesterday," Jeric muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Place looks like a ghost town."

Reynold didn’t respond. He wasn’t the type to talk just to fill the silence. His eyes moved from one feed to another, checking every corner of the hospital’s halls.

Then, something caught Jeric’s attention. A flicker of movement. He straightened. "Wait... hold on. There."

On the grainy footage, a group of people in white lab coats walked briskly down the hallway of the old hospital. They carried clipboards, trays, and what looked like small, sealed containers. They moved in and out of rooms with an urgency that suggested they were deep in some kind of research or experiment.

"Well, that’s new," Jeric said, leaning closer.

Reynold narrowed his eyes. "Looks like a setup for testing... but what for?"

They watched in silence for a few minutes as the activity continued. Men and women went in and out, occasionally exchanging words they couldn’t hear. The strange thing was, there was no sign of Brent this time.

"They’re too organized for squatters," Jeric muttered.

"They’re not squatters," Reynold said flatly.

Then, one of the lab coat figures entered the hallway with something—someone—being dragged between two others. The camera angle shifted just enough to give them a clear view of the person’s face.

Jeric’s eyes went wide. "Isn’t that Ted Frin?"

Reynold leaned forward, his jaw tightening. "Yes. And look at what they’re doing."

On the feed, one of the people in the lab coat prepared a syringe, filled with a strange, pale blue liquid. Without hesitation, they injected it into Ted Frin’s arm. Ted barely struggled—his body limp, his head hanging forward.

Jeric’s hands clenched into fists. "Should we catch them now? What they’re doing is definitely illegal."

Reynold’s gaze stayed locked on the screen. After a beat, he nodded. "Let’s go. We better hurry."

They grabbed their gear and were out the door in seconds.

---

The black SUV screeched to a halt outside the hospital gates minutes later. Reynold’s men, armed and alert, stepped out and spread into position. Reynold moved quickly, leading them toward the side entrance they had used before.

"Stay sharp," he ordered. "We don’t know how many are inside."

They pushed the heavy door open and stepped into the hospital. The air inside was colder than usual, carrying the faint smell of antiseptic. Reynold’s boots echoed on the cracked floor tiles as he led the way down the hallway.

But as they moved through the corridors, something felt off.