?Chapter 1269:


    With resignation, he let out another sigh, his words growing gentler. “Sadie, just take a breath. I’lly everything out for you.”


    A beat passed as his gaze sharpened, this timending squarely on Hurst, who hovered in the background like a shadow. “But before any of that, I need answers from you. Who are you, really?”


    The direct question snapped Sadie out of her single-minded pursuit. Of course. Ever since Hurst entered their lives, nothing about him had felt normal.


    She thought of his fixation with the NE Research Institute, those rare healing skills, and the nearly lost needle techniques. Every clue pointed to a life lived outside the ordinary.


    Hurst’s lips quirked in a slight smile as he caught Noah’s suspicion, though his gaze stayed as cold as winter ss. “You can both rx. I’m not your enemy. If I were, Mr. Wall, you wouldn’t have made it this far. And you, Ms. Hudson—you’d hardly be standing here unharmed, would you?”


    His words rang out steady and unflinching.


    A long silence hung between them as Sadie sized up the man in front of her.


    Despite Hurst’s irreverent demeanor and maddening way with words, she found no real motive for him to lie—especially when it came to saving lives.


    She turned to Noah, giving him a slight nod, a silent message that she believed Hurst could be trusted.


    A hint of relief passed over Noah’s features.


    Heavy with everything he was about to share, Noah looked back at Sadie.


    “This storyes in fragments—most of what I know hase through bits Ralph has shared. Seventeen years ago, your mother, Brenda, was a leading scientist at the NE Research Institute,” Noah said, his tone low and grave. “At that point, the research your mother spearheaded led to breakthroughs that shook the scientific world. Unfortunately, the very nature of her project—dangerous molecr structures intended for human application—drew the attention of Wolfpack, a global syndicate operating in the ck market’s shadows. Nothing about that group is ordinary. Wolfpack is ruthless, everywhere at once, and will cross any line…”


    To get what they want. Since then, they’ve never stopped trying to track your mother down. Remember the empty grave you found? There’s a reason for that. Wolfpack almost certainly took your parents’ ashes, either to confirm their identities or to lure out someone they wanted. If word ever reaches Wolfpack that Brenda has a daughter—if they discover you exist—they’lle after you, Sadie. They’ll hunt you, no matter the cost.” Noah’s voice grew heavier with each sentence, the truth pounding into Sadie’s chest with the force of a hammer.


    “Sadie, sending Sharon away was the only way to protect you, to make sure you’d never be caught up in this nightmare,” Noah continued, his voice trembling with regret. “As for the ze at Faron Estate five years ago… that day, the person your mother met with was Ralph. She must have sensed danger closing in and made Ralph promise to look out for you, no matter what. But shortly after their meeting, the fire swept through the estate. It moved so fast there was no chance to save anyone. That’s all I know.”


    Noah’s revtion left Sadie feeling hollow, as if her bones had turned to water. The world seemed to tilt, vision swimming in and out of focus.


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