?Chapter 1255:


    Without waiting another second, Tina spun on her heel and hurried out the door. Thirty minutester, she pushed through the ss doors of Hurst’s clinic in the heart of the city.


    Every detail of Sadie’s message was delivered, word for word, to Hurst, who seemed entirely absorbed in a video game, legs propped up, and posturepletely rxed.


    For a split second, the game was forgotten as Hurst cocked an eyebrow, mischief flickering across his face. “So, you want me to pull off a miracle?” he said, a sly grin tugging at his lips.


    The game controller was set aside, and Hurst stretched, exudingzy indifference. “Ms. Delgado, surely you know I don’t work miracles for free. My servicese at a steep price.”


    Annoyance red in Tina’s eyes. The casual act grated on her nerves. Time and again, Hurst had a way of teasing when things turned serious.


    Her patience snapped. “Dr. Lawson!” she snapped, her voice rising. “If it weren’t for Sadie, you wouldn’t be sitting here with time for games. She’s the reason you’re even safe! And this is how you repay her—by making things difficult?”


    Augh broke from Hurst, genuinely entertained by her outburst. Rising from his chair with exaggerated slowness, he drew out every movement. “There’s no reason for you to lose your temper. Let’s not mix personal favors with business.”


    Faced with Hurst’s unbending resolve—and realizing he wouldn’t budge without her agreement—Tina finally gave in. “Alright, Dr. Lawson. What exactly do you want?”


    A flicker of triumph crossed Hurst’s face. He looked up, a faint, enigmatic smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “It’s nothingplicated. I just want to know—what’s sparked Ms. Hudson’s sudden curiosity about the NE Research Institute?”


    Tina’s eyes widened at his question. NE Research Institute? Why did that name sound so oddly familiar?


    Her brows knitted together as she sifted through her thoughts. Suddenly, it clicked. That was the same institute tied to those documents in the safe Sadie had uncovered at Faron Retreat, wasn’t it?


    After they’d cracked the safe, they’d pulled out a stack of research files and notes—all connected to the NE Research Institute. So why was Hurst bringing it up now? What business could a doctor like him possibly have with events that had taken ce so long ago?


    A wary suspicion flickered in Tina’s eyes as she watched him closely.


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    Hurst caught her pause and gave azy shrug, as if the whole thing was nothing. “No need to be suspicious, Ms. Delgado. My interest is just that—interest. I grew up in Zupren, after all. That country is familiar to me. Who knows, maybe I can even offer Ms. Hudson a hand,” he said with practiced ease, the logic sounding reasonable enough.


    Tina weighed her options in silence. This wasn’t some state secret, but it also wasn’t entirely trivial. Sharing a little information seemed harmless.


    Besides, Sadie clearly trusted Hurst far more than most. If that wasn’t the case, Sadie wouldn’t have sent her to ask for his help at such a critical moment.


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