But as I stepped into the underground parking lot, the echo of footsteps behind me made me whip around.
My brows furrowed when I didn't see anyone.
Muttering under my breath, I turned back—but the world went black.
"Mmmph—!"
I kicked and struggled, but someone dragged me into a pitch-dark room.
My right hand was forced down onto a table. Under the dim bulb, I caught the outline of the man in front of me.
"Darwin!"
The hand gripping mine froze for a second.
I was bound to a chair, thrashing wildly.
"Darwin! It's you, isn't it? What are you doing? We can talk, please—let me go! I saved Beatrice's life!"
He hesitated, then sighed, his voice low and soft. "No. You may have spared her from Augustus' punishment... but you've still left her in an impossible position."
"I'm sorry. If you really want to help her, you'll have to lose a hand. That way, no one will think you were the surgeon. They'll believe Beatrice was the one who turned the tide."
"I'll handle your colleagues. I'll delete the surgical records. Anna, this time... help her."
My eyes went wide in disbelief. "Darwin!"