In the end, Nadia agreed.

She knew Paige Summers’ temperament well enough.

She knew this was probably her only chance to get help.

But she hadn’t given up hope.

She figured that when she got home and started packing, Evan Pierce would surely ask what she was doing. When that happened, she wouldn’t have to say it outright. Just a small hint would be enough. Given their connection, he would definitely understand that she was only leaving temporarily.

’After a while, I’ll plead with Paige again, and then we’ll be able to see each other!’

After saying goodbye to Paige and the others, she walked toward her place, no longer suppressing her good mood.

’With Paige and her friends protecting me, I should have more time for my experiments. The people hunting me haven’t made a move recently, most likely because they never expected Evan and me to return to Central City. And once I leave again, Evan will be an even smaller target!’

No matter how she looked at it, the future seemed much more promising. She really wanted to share this joy with Evan as soon as possible!

However, her good mood only lasted until she stepped through the door...

"Evan, where are you?"

Besides a tiny living room, the place had only one bedroom. Even her lab bench was just squeezed into a partitioned-off section inside. She could easily see he wasn’t there the moment she pushed open the door, but she still called out his name subconsciously.

No one answered.

She stood there stunned for a moment, then suddenly rushed to the bed and knelt.

There was a loose floorboard under the bed. Inside was a box containing all the data she had promised to bring Levi Young, including her mother’s journals. Evan Pierce had made the hiding spot specially for her, since there was really nowhere else to hide anything in the room.

But now, it was completely empty...

Not wanting to give up, she dug with her hands, only to get them covered in dirt.

Nadia stared at her filthy hands, then shot up and began frantically yanking open every cabinet and drawer in the room, like a madwoman. BANG! CLATTER!

Empty! Empty! Empty...

She froze in front of the last open cabinet and stood there for a long time.

Then, as if her strength had completely abandoned her, she could no longer support her own weight and staggered backward.

She collapsed onto the floor by the bed.

A strange chattering sound echoed in her ears. She didn’t even realize it was her own teeth.

’It’s so cold!’

It felt as if she’d been plunged into the ocean, the water soaking through her clothes, through her skin, even drowning out the beat of her heart.

An unknown amount of time passed before Nadia mechanically released her tight grip on her collar, mechanically stood up, and walked straight out the door...

Like a ghost, she drifted onto the street, subconsciously retracing her earlier path.

She went upstairs and knocked on the door.

When she saw Paige Summers standing in the doorway, sensing something was wrong and reaching out to support her, a flicker of lucidity appeared in her dead, despairing eyes.

"Paige, he... he’s gone..."

Evan Pierce was gone.

From all the evidence, he had left of his own accord.

Paige Summers went to the place where Nadia and Evan had been living, and it didn’t take her long to figure out what had happened. She also discovered the pried-up floorboard under the bed and immediately guessed why Nadia had suffered such a devastating blow.

’She wasn’t just abandoned; she was utterly betrayed by that man!’

The items under the floorboards were most likely the data Nadia had mentioned. Anyone with a brain would know how valuable it was, and Evan Pierce, of course, knew better than anyone.

A cold sneer touched Paige Summers’ lips. She quickly put the floorboard back in place, gathered all of Nadia’s lab equipment, clothes, and other belongings into her dimensional space, and then turned to leave.

"You’re saying he not only left, but he took all the journals and data with him?!"

Sitting on the sofa in her living room, Paige Summers nodded at a grim-faced Levi Young. "That’s right."

"That scumbag!"

"He’s definitely a scumbag, but that’s not the issue right now. We have to find out where he is."

"You mean..."

Paige Summers nodded. "Losing the data is a pity, but we can start over if we have to. The key point is, he took that data for one reason: to sell it or trade it for a better life. What do you think will happen when a buyer sees that stuff?"

"Whether it’s The Government, the military, or some other faction, whoever ends up with that half of the research data will undoubtedly do everything in their power to find the researcher herself. Nadia will definitely be exposed..."

"Yes. That scumbag will absolutely sell Nadia’s location and whereabouts if the price is right."

"Mmm." A worried look crossed Levi Young’s face. If that happened, it wouldn’t just be him; Paige Summers, Claire Chapman, and the others would likely be implicated as well.

Paige Summers thought for a moment. "But let’s not worry too much for now. Even if he wants to sell the information, he still has to find a buyer first. For now, you stay here and look after Nadia. In the state she’s in, I’m afraid she might do something drastic. I’m going to head out later."

Levi Young nodded, determined to calm Nadia down as quickly as possible, no matter what it took.

’Letting herself fall apart over a guy like that, even neglecting her research... what’s she thinking!’

That night, Paige Summers went to Jovitas again.

She had actually called her contact on the way back from Nadia’s place, but unfortunately, the person claimed they were only responsible for reporting on Shawn Monroe and Nora Lowell. Any new requests had to be made in person.

She was much more familiar with Jovitas now and knew what to wear and how to act to get in and out with minimal attention.

So, it didn’t take long for her to leave successfully.

However, since Evan Pierce wasn’t a person of interest, there was no information on him yet.

The person in charge promised to get back to her as soon as possible.

All she could do was wait.

But before that, something couldn’t wait: she had to get Nadia out of the city as soon as possible.

’What if that maniac Evan Pierce has already sold the information... I can’t let Nadia’s situation drag everyone down with her!’

Once she had the idea, she prepared to act on it immediately.

After returning, she helped Levi Young pack everything into her dimensional space. The two of them then took Nadia and set off for the warehouse.

Fortunately, whatever Levi Young had said to her, Nadia’s mood had stabilized somewhat. Paige didn’t have to carry her as she had feared. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

This time, they didn’t drive.

They had renewed the long-term lease on the warehouse when they last left, so they could go there anytime.

Under the cover of night, the three of them wore short cloaks that hid their faces, avoiding prying eyes and ears as they slipped silently into the warehouse.

Not even the manager noticed.

Paige Summers had thought she would have to wait at least a day or two for news about Evan Pierce. Unexpectedly, she received a call the very next day.

It was the contact responsible for reporting on Shawn Monroe and the others.

But this time, he had an additional task.

"Target One and Target Two went to the Superpower User Management Office today and met a Superpower User. They are currently at The Star Restaurant and have not yet returned. Target Three has been located. He entered the residence of Target One and Target Two an hour ago and has not yet come out."

The contact hung up as soon as he finished speaking. He was always cautious, never offering superfluous speculation, only reporting the facts.

Target One and Target Two were Nora Lowell and Shawn Monroe. And Target Three... was Evan Pierce.

’So, it’s them...’

Paige Summers pressed her lips together tightly and put away her phone.

’Is this fate? I managed to change the original plot, but I still can’t escape getting tangled up with these two?’

’But no matter what, I will not admit defeat!’