Chapter 51
Chapter 51 Probing the Past
“Last time, she took the blame for you.
“And now, even in such deadly circumstances, you still insisted on bringing her along p>
Lyra pulled out paper and a pen.
“Jessa only took pity on me. I led her away from danger-it was the least I could do p>
Hadrien spoke. “Jessa’s excuse was that the training had not been thorough enough.
“She was your training officer, and the one who recruited you p>
Lyra nodded.
“Jessa showed me a clear path forward p>
Hadrien grew curious.
“You speak of a clear path. What dark road were you traveling before that p>
Lyra’s nerves spiked at once. She recognized he was trying to bait information out of her.
She dropped her gaze.
How could she answer that?
That their search of Earth had not been thorough enough, and she had still been there?
That she had secretly hidden on a starship and come here as a stowaway?
Finisl
As she sorted through her thoughts, a shadow fell over her. The curved black helmet distorted, reflecting her stunned expression.
Without her noticing, he had bent forward, bringing his helmeted face inches from hers.
Even separated by the helmet plating, the closeness made her eyes fly wide with shock.
Hadrien tracked every flicker of emotion crossing her features, then asked casually, “It’s only old history. Can’t you put it into words p>
Lyra stiffened and stepped back instinctively.
She waved her hands wildly, trying to communicate without writing.
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Chapter 51 Probing the Past
3
Finish
Hadrien silently turned, retrieving paper and a pen from the pocket of the doctor’s coat, and handed them to her.
Lyra froze mid-gesture.
She had only intended to stall for time and stall him with vague gestures.
The doctor leaned aside, covering his mouth to murmur quietly to Hadrien. “I take back what said earlier. I’m starting to suspect she was trafficked here p>
Hadrien said nothing, tilting his chin toward Lyra.
Lyra met his eyes, then took the writing supplies with a heavy heart.
She stared down at the blank sheet, then stole another glance upward.
Hadrien’s gaze settled firmly on her, tangible and unrelenting.
Lyra’s chest tightened with worry.
Every extra word might open her up to more mistakes.
She dragged the pencil tip lightly across the paper.
In the end, she repeated the same story she had given Jessa.
As Hadrien read the note, the doctor leaned in to look alongside him.
“I struck my head some time ago and cannot recall anything from my past. Jessa found me while I was wandering with nowhere to go. In a way, she saved my life, and I owe her everything p>
The doctor silently applauded the excuse inside his head.
Good excuse.
Yet it arrived far too conveniently, crafted clearly to shut down Hadrien’s questions about her origins. It rang hollow.
Hadrien folded the note away and abruptly shifted subjects.
“The treatment downstairs should be over. Let’s go p>
Lyra stared at him, uncertain.
Did he believe her?
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Chapter 51 Probing the Past
Hadrien raised an eyebrow. “Something else p>
She shook her head, then quickly nodded again.
Hadrien stood composed across from her, his tall frame casting a shadow over her.
Lyra scribbled rapidly.
$ཊ p>
37
Finishe
“Mr. Vale, all responsibility for what happened falls on me. Jessa delivered thorough training; she fulfilled every duty and highlighted critical protocols repeatedly. I have a poor memory and failed to weigh the consequences. None of this is her fault. She is truly innocent p>
Hadrien shot her a brief glance.
“We will revisit this matter later. Come-we’re going to check on her p>
Lyra wanted to plead further, but Hadrien’s patience had plainly worn thin.
He strode ahead, leaving only the long, flowing outline of his coat in view.
Her shoulders drooped in disappointment.
The people of Hophrin possessed extensive expertise in treating civilians suffering psychic
trauma.
After a brief surgical procedure, recovery depended entirely on rest.
A broken bone required months to mend, let alone a damaged mind.
For the time being, Jessa would remain confined to bed. She must avoid strenuous movement and sharp swings of emotion.
After hearing this, Lyra wrote, “Will she stay here, or return home p>
The attending doctor replied, “She will remain in the medical wing. We need to monitor for complications that could worsen her injuries. Staff will tend to her daily, so you do not need to worry too much p>
Lyra nodded and bowed toward the doctor to express her gratitude.
Jessa had not yet woken.
Seeing her pale face, Lyra felt a swirl of concern and guilt.
She reached for a nearby chair, intending to sit.
Then she remembered the high-ranking administrator was still present, and straightened her
16:38 Mon, Aug 31
Chapter 51 Probing the Past
bent knees at once.
She glanced toward the shadowed figure by the window.
A man in such a senior position ought to have countless demands occupying his hours.
Instead, he lingered as if guarding a prisoner.
He caught her questioning stare and slowly turned his head.
“What is it p>
Lyra’s gaze drifted silently back to Jessa on the hospital bed.
Hadrien said, “If you plan to argue over the earlier incident, spare your breath p>
Lyra pressed her lips firmly together.
She would ask about something else instead.
“What was that monster p>
Now that she had claimed amnesia, gathering more information was only logical.
เรย
Hadrien answered, “A Phasmophage, frontline vanguard of the Contamination Mother Entity p>
Lyra wrote again, “What caused Jessa’s current condition p>
Hadrien offered a concise explanation. “Phasmophages are only one variety of psychic monster. Each species carries distinct forms and abilities.
“As advance scouts, Phasmophages tear open dimensional rifts to survey new territory. Anyone who draws near will have their consciousness devoured, left drowning in endless terror.
“If the rift created by a Phasmophage is not sealed promptly, endless waves of other monsters will pour through p>
Lyra nodded thoughtfully.
To be stripped down to nothing but raw fear sounded as hopeless and torturous as being trapped inside an endless nightmare.
She asked several more questions, testing his willingness to share information.
Hadrien’s patience returned; he answered each query calmly.
But when she asked how security teams sealed Phasmophage rifts, he brushed over the details
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Chapter 51 Probing the Past
in a handful of words.
Clearly, that information counted as sensitive military intelligence.
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Only Her
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.