Chapter 316
Chapter 317 The Thieves Behind the Screen
Finished
Lyra thought it over for a moment and typed, “The Black Spire suffered a major crisis. How are you even able to reply to my messages p>
A cute little animal emoji popped up response.
“I have to take good care of what belongs to you of course.
Lyra wrote back, “All the other Sentinels lost control. Why were you unaffected p>
“Hmm… Maybe my willpower is just stronger p>
Lyra’s expression turned cold.
“Impressive, then p>
A bashful, fidgeting emoji came right back.
“The Guide praised me. I’m so happy p>
Lyra asked, “Where are you p>
The reply came, “Hard to say. Everything around me is pitch-black p>
Lyra wrote, “It is broad daylight right now p>
The other person answered, “Aww, people are hunting us everywhere. We have to stay hidden until we can meet you p>
Lyra’s brows drew tight. “Who is hunting you p>
“Lots of people. Core Prime Sentinels p>
Lyra wrote, “They came to help you. Come out, and they will bring you back to Core Prime. Then you can see me p>
“Are you certain they won’t drag us straight back into the Black Spire cells p>
Lyra wrote, “Your situation is different from the others p>
The other side pushed back. “In what way are we different p>
Lyra wrote, “Do you not know yourselves p>
“The Federation has piles of confusing rules. We can’t keep track of them all p>
Lyra stared blankly at the screen for several seconds.
“Then let me see you. I just need to know how you are holding up p>
She sent a direct video call.
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Chapter 317-The Thieves Behind the Screen
Finished
It connected for one second, then got cut off.
Lyra tried again.
Once more, the call was rejected.
“Aww, it’s far too dark over here. You wouldn’t be able to see anything p>
Lyra ignored the excuse and dialed once more.
Unsurprisingly, the call got rejected again.
Lyra typed sharply, “Are you hiding underground like rats p>
No reply came.
She kept firing off messages.
“Hiding with that big piece of equipment can’t be easy.
“You can’t stay concealed forever. Sooner or later you have to come out.
“Are you truly too cowardly to show your faces?
“I won’t judge you. What are you scared of?
“No answer? Is the underground signal cutting out p>
“What’s going on p>
The repeated ringing of incoming video alerts drew the attention of the men outside. They stepped into the dimly lit room and gathered around Specter.
Specter leaned back against his chair, hands laced behind his head.
He read the sharp, accusatory lines popping up on the screen and let out a helpless laugh.
“The Guide has figured us out, I think p>
One of the men chuckled.
“Specter, your skills are slipping. You got seen through by a Guide p>
Specter shrugged his shoulders.
Another man spoke up. “It was bound to happen. Since our cover is blown, we might as well open real negotiations with her. After all, she does have things she needs from us p>
“Hello, Ms. Guide. I’m sorry our first conversation had to happen this way p>
Lyra lifted an eyebrow.
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Chapter 317 The Thieves Behind the Screen
So they were dropping the act.
“You have quite a long list of things you ought to apologize for p>
Impersonating Rhys, spying on her Star Brain, stealing her private
The group on the other end laughed at her reply.
“We offer our sincere apologies for those incidens.
Lyra replied, “Cut to the chase. Who are you people, and what do you want p>
Instead of answering directly, they probed her. “Who do you believe we are, Ms. Guide p>
Lyra replied, “Dogs p>
Far from growing angry, the men on the other end shook with quiet laughter.
“Please do not be offended, Ms. Guide. We reached out hoping to propose a partnership p>
Finished
Lyra wrote, “What does that have to do with impersonating my friend and snooping through my private data p>
“That was never our intention. If you wish, we can hand over the one responsible for irritating you, bound and ready for you to take your frustration out on p>
“Hey now,” Specter said out loud in protest p>
The man beside him glanced sideways. “You messed up and got caught. Don’t you deserve some punishment p>
“Tch.” Specter leaned back again. “I’d like to see any of you resist peeking if you were in my spot p>
Nobody argued. They all waited for Lyra’s response.
Lyra’s lips curled into a cold smirk. She did not buy a single word of it.
“What exactly are you after? Do you have my friends in your hands p>
The reply came. “We hold no intent to threaten you, Ms. Guide. And they are not with us.
“We only want to enter into cooperation with you p>
Lyra’s gaze turned mocking. “Cooperate with me?
“The whole mess at the fifth Black Spire was your doing, right? With that much power, why would you need to work with me p>
The other person replied, “You give us too much credit. Now that you have guessed our identity, you must understand how badly we need your help p>
Lyra asked, “Why should I agree p>
w
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Chapter 317-The Thieves Behind the Screen
You care a great deal about Hadrien, don’t you p>
Lyra’s pupils constricted. She typed angrily, “You claim you are not threatening me p>
“You misunderstand us, Ms, Guide. We are speaking about Hadrien’s restraint collar p>
Lyra frowned in suspicion. “What are you implying p>
The reply came, “It seems you do not know the full truth.
Finished
“On the surface, the restraint collar only limits and warns Sentinels. But think if they merely restricted physical behavior, would they dare let a Tier-3S Sentinel roam freely out in the open p>
Lyra stared hard at those lines, her expression icy, her chest rising and falling with rising fury.
She recalled everything Hadrien had told her before.
If the Federation really had built such hidden functions into the restraint collar, weren’t they afraid a Guide would learn the truth and turn against them?
She fired back, “Nice try. You think I’ll believe thieves hiding behind a screen and trying to sow discord?
“If your minds are that twisted, go find yourselves real jobs p>
Her sharp mockery only earned them faint, confident smiles.
“Do not dismiss this so quickly, Ms. Guide. Our offer stands whenever you decide you need assistance p>
Lyra turned toward the window and drew a deep breath, forcing her anger under control.
She finished a quick lunch and headed for the Black Spire.
Nael was already there ahead of schedule.
The two exchanged polite, formal pleasantries for the benefit of onlookers.
Then they followed the Black Spire chief straight toward the cell blocks where the Sentinels awaited purification.
Once her work was complete, Lyra sought out Zev. She told him that for the time being, there was nothing more she could do for Elan.
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Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.