Chapter 766: Not Hopeless, Just Helpless

Chapter 766: Chapter 766: Not Hopeless, Just Helpless

The lights at the institute had already been turned off, and the hallways were silent.

The cells and other materials in the research lab conflicted with the virus in Annabelle Linton’s body. Because of this, Quentin Holland had a special sterile room built for her. While it wasn’t equipped for major experiments, some smaller-scale research was still possible.

She had just picked up a report and turned off the light. As she was about to leave, she heard voices outside.

"Simon, Annabelle’s condition is getting worse every day. This can’t go on. Is there really nothing we can do?"

"It’s not that there isn’t a solution... it’s that it’s an impossible one," Simon Moss said cryptically from beside them.

Ever since he’d heard Annabelle Linton was infected, he hadn’t returned to Aridia. He had been conducting research here the entire time.

Annabelle Linton overheard him and was confused.

’What does he mean, ’It’s not that there isn’t a solution... it’s that it’s an impossible one’?’

’Is there a difference?’

Mia Holloway was also completely baffled. She looked at Simon Moss and asked, "Simon, what do you mean by that?"

Simon Moss looked toward Quentin Holland but said nothing.

Quentin Holland gazed out the window, lost in thought, and remained silent.

Mia Holloway grew even more confused. She walked up to Simon Moss and pleaded, "Simon, what on earth do you mean? Please, I’m begging you, just tell me. Annabelle’s health is getting worse by the day, the virus is eating away at her organs. If there’s something you’re worried about, just say it, can’t you? We can figure something out together. I don’t want Annabelle to die."

As she spoke, tears streamed down Mia’s face.

Annabelle was always coughing incessantly while doing her research, sometimes even bringing up blood. It broke Mia’s heart to watch.

Back then, if it hadn’t been for Annabelle, her innocence would have been stolen by a pack of animals.

Annabelle Linton meant the world to her. If it were possible, she would willingly give up a kidney for her right now.

Simon Moss watched her cry and said in a low voice, "Mia, it’s not a question of whether or not to tell you. The reality is just that difficult. Do you know why we haven’t had a breakthrough with the virus affecting Annabelle?"

"Why?"

"Because the virus was specifically designed to target her blood type."

’So there’s no antidote?’

Mia Holloway seemed even more lost.

Weighed down by his thoughts, Quentin Holland heaved a sigh, stood up, and walked out.

Mia Holloway stared blankly after him before turning back to Simon Moss in confusion. "Simon, I know Annabelle’s blood type is rare, but still... aside from drugs to manage the symptoms, shouldn’t we have at least a prototype for a cure by now, even an unsuccessful one? Why hasn’t there been any progress at all? Annabelle is running out of time. She can’t afford a single delay."

Simon Moss said cryptically, "A prototype was developed a long time ago."

...Huh?

Mia Holloway looked at Simon Moss, still not quite understanding what he was trying to say.

Then, as she mulled it over, a sudden realization struck her. She stared at Simon Moss in shock, at a loss for words.

Seeing that she understood, Simon Moss didn’t elaborate. He patted her shoulder, sighed, and said, "When you get the chance, try to talk some sense into Quentin. Right now, a long shot is the only option we have."

With that, he quietly walked out the door.

Mia stood frozen for a moment before running out after them.

Although they hadn’t spelled anything out, Annabelle had understood almost everything.

’No matter the experiment, you always need test subjects. In other words, guinea pigs.’

’For a typical experiment, you could use lab mice as test subjects. But not for this virus.’