The Damned Demon
chapter-670

"...That's why…I want to see the Nexus Tower," Cecilia said, her determination clear in her voice.

Derek's brows furrowed in concern as he leaned forward, his gaze intent on Cecilia, "The Nexus Tower? We are almost nearing completion of this project. You don't have to worry about it."

Cecilia shook her head softly, her expression earnest, "I know, honey. But I want to have an idea of what we are accomplishing. You said you wanted me to stand by you, right? Then I want to see the tower—the symbol of the project I've invested so much effort into."

Derek's face fell into contemplation, his eye narrowing as he considered her request. Cecilia's eyes held a hint of doubt as she continued, "Is there any reason you're hesitating to show me? Do you really not want me to be a part of this?"

A flicker crossed Derek's face as he reached out, grabbing Cecilia's hand gently, "Of course not. I was planning to show it to you later when the project is almost complete. But since you asked, I can show it to you now."

Cecilia's face brightened with a grateful smile, "Thank you, honey. Oh, and can I bring an expert with me to see if all the protocols are in place? Just for my reassurance?"

Derek's expression tightened into a frown, "I'm sorry, Cecilia, but I can't let anyone else accompany you. Who were you planning to bring anyway?"

"I wouldn't bring anyone untrustworthy," Cecilia replied matter-of-factly, "It's just Advisor Ash. He's been instrumental in saving us a lot of resources and time for this project."

Derek's brows furrowed deeper, "Advisor Ash? He's still someone we don't fully know, especially his background. You shouldn't trust him too easily. I told you before."

"I know but I have a good grasp of what kind of man he is. From what I have learned about him, he is more trustworthy than any of the employees I know," Cecilia said with a convinced look, remembering how Ash never leaked what he learned about her husband's dark experiments.

"Still, you can never really know a stranger, and it's just been a month or two since you started working with him. You're my wife, my family, and that's why I trust you. I've spent almost my entire life and fortune on these projects. If they get sabotaged, everything I've worked hard for would be for nothing. We can't let anything go wrong, especially for Rachel's sake. You understand, right?" His voice held a note of desperation as he sought her understanding.

Cecilia's face softened with guilt at his words, and she couldn't help but rethink what she was going to do. Can she really go behind her husband's back and risk destroying everything he worked for? She can't do that to him, can she?...Not when he had done so much for his family, especially her, and still continued to do so.

"Okay. It will just be me," Cecilia said with a soft nod, realizing what she should do.

A brief smile of relief crossed Derek's face, "Thank you for understanding. I'll send someone soon to escort you."

—-

Later, Cecilia sat in her office, her fingers drumming anxiously on her desk. The door creaked open as Asher walked in, his expression curious, "I got your message, Mrs. Sterling. How did it go?" He asked, a touch of concern in his eyes.

Cecilia gestured for him to sit, her shoulders sagging with a sigh, "Sigh, I failed. I won't be able to bring you with me. My husband won't allow it. He has never really refused any of my requests like this before. So he must have a good reason."

Asher inwardly scoffed as he took a seat, his expression thoughtful, "We expected that. Isn't that why we came up with Plan B? The plan where you ask him for the details of those involved in the development of the Nexus Tower so that I can impersonate one of them? Did he shut you down on such a simple request?"

Cecilia shook her head resolutely, "No. I didn't ask that."

Asher's brows arched in surprise, "Why?"

Cecilia's gaze was fixed, her voice firm but burdened, "I couldn't. He's dedicated decades to these projects, risking his career to ensure a better future for all of us. I can't bring myself to do something that might jeopardize his plans. The Russians are unpredictable; they hate us, and I can't risk giving them a tool to sabotage everything my husband is doing for the good of the world."

Asher's hands clenched into fists, though he fought to keep his anger in check, "Isn't there something more we should worry about, Mrs. Sterling? If the Russians don't get what they want, your husband might be prepared to wage war with them. Don't you want to prevent such a dangerous possibility where millions of lives could be lost?"

Cecilia's face contorted with inner conflict, her eyes closing tightly, "I do. But the alternative is even worse. More lives would be lost because of the demons when we think of the bigger picture. Our world will never be rid of them unless we make some hard choices. Once we get through this difficult phase, things will be better. Fewer lives will be needlessly lost."

Asher's thoughts darkened with disdain and anger. What a hypocritical and pathetic excuse of a woman. At least her dirtbag of a husband wasn't hiding behind such a degree of shameless pretenses as she was.

He still hoped, for Rachel's sake, that this woman would just do something to somewhat make up for her vile acts in the past. After all, Rachel sacrificed so much for him and he felt guilty about what he did to her in the past.

But now, despite his disappointment, he also felt relieved since he could punish Cecilia without any second thoughts.

"So...we are giving up on a peaceful solution?" Asher asked, his voice tinged with disappointment.

Seeing the disapproval in his eyes, Cecilia's expression softened, "I'm sorry if I've disappointed you. I can't jeopardize my family or the future of our world. But I promise I'll do my best to convince the Russians to seek a peaceful compromise. Maybe after I visit the Nexus Tower, I can help them understand my husband's vision. That's one of the reasons I still want to go."

Asher nodded, his stern demeanor slowly easing, "Alright, Mrs. Sterling. You should do that. Perhaps the Russians might be persuaded. Once you're back, let's discuss how to approach them. I'll support you because I believe you always make the right choices."

Cecilia's expression brightened with appreciation, "Thank you, Advisor Ash."

"Please, call me Ash. We've been working together for a while now," Asher said with a smile that softened Cecilia's mood.

She chuckled softly, "That's right, I suppose."

Asher's gaze held a hint of nostalgia as he continued, "So, can I call you Cecilia? Or would that be overstepping? The first time I saw you, you reminded me of an aunt I was close with. She was a kind and just figure, loved by everyone. Maybe that's why I trust your judgment and want to stand by your decisions."

Cecilia felt a flush of warmth at the comparison, her flustered demeanor betraying her emotions, "I... I don't know what to say," she said, touched by the sincerity in his voice.

"However, you can call me Cecilia whenever we're not at work. We have to be professional, after all," she added with a soft smile.

"Of course. See you later then, Cecilia," Asher replied, his smile genuine as he moved toward the door.

As he turned the handle, his smile vanished, replaced by a cold, steely expression.

The warmth of the moment had evaporated as he stepped out, his thoughts now cold and calculating, 'I am sorry, Rachel. I gave your mother a chance but she wasted it.'

—

A few hours later, the helicopter descended onto a small, hidden island veiled in mist. Cecilia peered through the window, her curiosity piqued by the sheer secrecy of the place. The island seemed to have been cloaked from the world's eyes, its lush greenery and serene waters belying the high-tech marvels concealed within.

As the helicopter touched down, Cecilia's gaze was immediately drawn to a colossal structure looming in the distance. The Nexus Tower rose majestically, more than a thousand meters tall, its dark, sleek surface seeming to pierce through the heavens. It was a striking contrast against the island's natural backdrop.

She marveled at how such an imposing structure had remained hidden for so long, shielded by what must have been advanced camouflage barriers.

She glanced around and noticed the sparse activity on the island. A few people strolled about, and several apartment complexes dotted the landscape. The isolation of the island was evident; it was as if these employees had been confined here, their movements tightly controlled.

A WHA official, clad in a sharp uniform, approached her with a respectful nod. "Mrs. Sterling, this way, please. The President is expecting you."

Cecilia nodded and followed him through a sleek, silver dome that encased the base of the Nexus Tower. The interior was a network of corridors, each more pristine and futuristic than the last. They emerged into an open area that surrounded the tower's base, where the grandeur of the structure was even more breathtaking.

Standing at the railings, gazing up at the towering spire, was Derek. His posture was relaxed, yet his presence was commanding. He didn't look away from the tower's pinnacle as Cecilia approached.

"It looks magnificent, doesn't it?" Derek's voice was tinged with a sense of awe.

Cecilia stood beside him, her eyes following the tower's ascent, "It's taller than I imagined. I assume it requires an immense amount of mana shards to power it. Are we really equipped for that? I'm still trying to grasp how you plan to keep it operational for years to shield our world."

Derek continued to gaze upward, his expression calm and detached, "There's no need to worry about the power requirements. The tower only needs to be activated once and only for a short period."

Cecilia's brows knitted together in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Derek finally turned to face her, a slow, calculated smile curling his lips. "I'm saying that this tower isn't really a defensive measure. It will be the prime weapon designed to annihilate the demon world."