M exited Sudvi, dragging her suitcase behind her.
Phoebe emerged from the car, swiftly taking M’s suitcase and stowing it in the trunk.
Seated in the passenger seat, M stared out at thendscape, tears welling up in her eyes, an
unfamiliar sense of difort engulfing
her heart.
It felt as though her heart was being pricked by a thousand needles, the ache nearly unbearable,
Nathan’s memory haunting her every thought.
Phoebe settled into the driver’s seat, starting the engine before pulling away from the curb. “M, when
are we heading back to Suntend?” she inquired.
M turned her gaze to the passing scenery outside the window, her voice calm as she asked, “Did you
make the report?”
“Yes, I did,” Phoebe responded solemnly. “The country needs you and is eager for your return as soon
as possible.”
M’s lips twisted in bitterness as she took a deep breath. “You shouldn’t have rushed to report it.”
“Why not?”
“I need to handle things here first. It’s not going to be a quick process.
“That’s alright. The country won’t pressure you to return immediately.”
Resting her head on her hand, M felt a wave of helplessness washed over her. “True, nobody can
force me, but there could be
spies in Suntend.
“Have you considered the consequences if news of my survival leaks
out?”
Phoebe’s face turned pale, and she froze nervously, realizing the gravity of her impulsive actions.
“W-what should we do then?” Phoebe stammered, guilt written all over her face.
M retrieved her phone, her tone nonchnt as she responded, ” Let’s just take it one step at a time.”
“What’s our next move?” Phoebe inquired.
M responded, “We need to earn money to pay off debts. Let’s focus on stabilizing our life here first.”
Phoebe nodded in agreement, though she wasn’t particrly
concerned about the financial aspect. With or without M, she could still secure funding from the
Suntend government.
However, that would risk exposing their location. For now, she had to rely on M.
M essed a cloud storage ount on her phone, which had b dormant for over three years. After
searching through it, she foun file and transferred it to Phoebe’s ount.
Setting her phone aside, M exined calmly, “I’ve uploaded tranted versions of the book I
completed three years ago in six differentnguages to your ount. You can sell them for money.”
Phoebe was aware that when M wasn’t upied with work, she asionally tranted highly
specialized and significant books, alongside her sporadic art endeavors.
Phoebe inquired, “M, what’s the price for one book?”
M furrowed her brow, taking a moment before replying, “I’m uncertain about the current market value,
but considering it’s a specialized chemistry book, the Norvanese version I tranted previously could
fetch over a hundred thousand per copy.
“You’ll need to negotiate with the publishers for the final price.”
“Understood,” Phoebe acknowledged before raising another question, “Why don’t you sell your
paintings instead, M? Each one could generate millions, and it’s quicker money.”
M shook her head resolutely. “The proceeds from my artwork are designated for charity.”
Undeterred, Phoebe persisted, “Then what about selling military design blueprints? They’re even more
lucrative than art.”
M’s expression soured as she turned to Phoebe. “I don’t require arge sum of money, just enough
to suffice.
“Are you fixated on wealth now? Are you seriously suggesting that I sell military equipment blueprints?
N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
“How about proposing to sell a few grams of hydronium instead? Perhaps I could even be the
richest person in the world.”
Phoebe panicked and rushed to rify, “M, that’s not what I meant at all. I’m simply concerned about
your current financial situation, you know? After all, you still owe Nathan 600 thousand dors.”
M responded with a casual tone, “Don’t worry, I’m ustomed to adversity.”
“Indeed, M, you’ve endured quite a bit over these past three years.”
“Every hardship is a lesson learned.”
Phoebe remained silent.
A week passed.
Nathany in his hospital bed, ncing at the payment notification on his phone. A sum of 600
thousand had been deposited.
He stared at the message, momentarily puzzled.
A
His phone rang shortly after. Answering the call with a hoarse voice, Nathan croaked out, “Hello.”
On the other end of the line, M sat in her apartment, clutching a teddy bear.
She took a deep breath, listening to the voice she had longed to hear day and night. Her heart pounded
with nervous anticipation. “Nate, it’s me.”