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    Chapter 3442 Insanely Paranoid And Totally Self-Centered


    Hera was startled by Luca''s words.


    The refusal that had been on the tip of her tongue suddenly got stuck in her throat.


    "I..." Hera hesitated, feeling conflicted. Leaving Abel might not be such a bad idea. At least she would not have to live in constant fear.


    She was finally realizing how unpredictable his moods were. At first, she thought it did not matter as she could still look at other men. She just had to ensure there was no physical contact. In reality, even if she so much as nced at someone, Abel''s expression would


    darken with anger.


    It was frustrating. Now, the only person she was allowed to look at was Gerald. Still, what was the point of just looking at Gerald?


    At that thought, she lifted her gaze to Luca.


    Luca added, "I''ll give you five minutes. If you refuse treatment after that, I''ll take the medicine back to Mr. Shanks and won''t try to convince you again."


    Hera''s heart tightened. She did not even need five minutes. She had made her decision within 30 seconds.


    "I''ll take it. Give me the injection."


    "Alright." Luca nodded, picking up the tourniquet and preparing the injection.


    Hera''s health was not great, so it was difficult to give her an injection. Luca had to tap her arm several times before a vein finally became visible.


    "Are you doing this on purpose to get back at me?" Hera red at her.


    Luca replied indifferently, "Why would I waste my time on petty revenge?"


    Hera was at a loss for words. It was true. There was not much to get back at her for. A few extra taps did not actually hurt.


    As Luca administered the injection, Hera reminded her, "You can''t tell Abel about this."


    "Don''t worry," Luca reassured her. "If I wanted to tell him, I wouldn''t be giving you this treatment in the first ce."


    "What about Shanks?" Hera asked cautiously. Even if Luca kept quiet, if Shanks said something, it would all be for nothing.


    "You don''t need to worry about that either. If he were going to say something, he wouldn''t have prescribed the medicine in the first ce." After inserting the needle, Luca adjusted the drip rate and continued, "Once you''re done with the IV drip, take this medication after dinner. Any issues with that?"


    "No..." Hera was still uneasy. "Even if you don''t say anything, what if Abel asks?"


    "This IV isn''t for treatment. It''s just to help regte your body." After Luca walked to the door, she continued, "Now that you''ve chosen to take the treatment, you have to keep it a secret. If this gets exposed, the one who''ll suffer the most won''t be us-it''ll be you. When the IV is almost done, call me."


    Then, she opened the door and left.


    Hera''s expression darkened.


    Abel was terrifying, but to her, being broke was even worse.


    Between Abel''s oppressive presence and financial security, she would rather deal with Abel. After all, having money felt way too good.


    Hera had never felt as much joy as when she was swiping Abel''s ck card and basking in the sales associates'' ttery earlier today.


    She watched the IV drip slowly trickle down and fell into deep thought. She had to have money-lots and lots of money.


    She did not love Abel, but as long as being by his side brought her benefits, she was willing to stay.


    Once she had made enough, she could finally live freely. She would have the means to connect with higher-ss people. Then, her future would be set.


    On the third-floor balcony, Luca sent a message to Luke. She informed him that Hera''s health made her unsuitable for the transnt.


    Luke immediately asked what their next move should be.


    Luca exined that she and Shanks had decided to keep this information from Abel.


    Luke reminded her to be cautious. He also shared an update from Russia. The Ind of Despair''s activities there had been decreasing recently. I was as though they were nning something.


    Luke warned her to stay vignt.


    Reading his message, Luca felt a wave of unease but quickly reassured him that she would be careful and not let Abel harm her.


    "What are you looking at?" Shanks'' voice suddenly came from behind her.


    Luca''s heart skipped a beat. She immediately thought of his earlier probing in theb and forced herself to stay calm. "Just checking the news."


    Shanks stepped closer to the balcony railing, keeping about half a yard of distance between them.


    Luca added, "I''ve been cut off from the outside world for so long. If I don''t keep up with the news, I won''t even know what''s happening out there."


    "Something happened?" Shanks raised an eyebrow.


    "Nothing major, just celebrity gossip." Luca stared at the sunset with narrowed eyes.


    The golden light stretched across thend. It was slightly warm, far less intense than the midday sun.


    She was reminded of a time when she and Luke would watch the sunset together from their balcony. That was back when life had been more peaceful.


    "Did Hera agree to the treatment?" asked Shanks as he took a sip of his beer.


    Only then did Luca realize he had been holding a bottle the entire time.


    She let out a soft sigh. "It took a lot of convincing, but she finally agreed. She even asked us to keep it a secret. She''s taking this pretty seriously."


    Shanks did not respond.


    Luca nced sideways at him. She had never seen Shanks drink before.


    He had never taken the time for anything else before. In his own words, if he had the time for distractions, he might as well spend it in theb. Who knew, he might even make another


    breakthrough?


    "Why are you staring at me?" Shanks noticed Luca''s gaze lingering on him.


    Luca exined, "I just don''t usually see you drinking. I''m curious."


    "Drinking is a waste of time. It''s just like Abel smoking those cigars," Shanks suddenly


    remarked.


    Luca chuckled. Now that sounded more like something Shanks would say.


    "Abel smokes cigars when he''s deep in thought. I usually prefer looking through a microscope. But this time, even the microscope couldn''t help me figure out a solution. Then


    I remembered I hadn''t had a drink in a long time, so I figured I''d have one," Shanks said


    with a calm voice.


    Luca nodded. "Well, don''t drink too much. If you''re not used to it, you''ll get drunk easily.


    And once you''re drunk, you won''t be able to think clearly at all."


    "That won''t happen." Shanks shook his head. "I have a high tolerance."


    Luca looked at him, skeptical.


    Seeing her doubt, Shanks exined, "Back when I was conducting experiments, no one trusted my results. So, every time I created something new, I would inject or ingest it myself to prove its effectiveness. Over time, my body became resistant to alcohol. No matter how strong the drink is, I won''t get drunk."


    Luca was surprised. This was the first time she had learned about Shanks''s unique condition. "Does Mr. Abel have the same resistance?" Luca asked cautiously.


    "No, he relies on my research, but he doesn''t trust it. No matter how sessful my experiments are, he''ll never allow them to be used on himself. Abel is insanely paranoid and totally self-centered." Shanks paused for a moment, then downed thest sip of his beer. "He needs my drugs to control everyone on the Ind of Despair. He also needs my medical skills to save people. If he gets injured, he''lle to me. But when ites to my most innovative research? He''d never let me use it on him."


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