Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Chapter 1912

The elevator doors slid open with a soft hiss, and Estelle stepped out into the long, sterile corridor bathed in the harsh light of fluorescent tubes that lined the ceiling. Estelle left the elevator, entering the corridor lined with laboratories and storage rooms. Through the glass doors, she caught glimpses of bizarre instruments and equipment. Continuing down the corridor, the silence was deep and unsettling. Suddenly, Estelle heard strange noises-scratching like nails on glass mixed with animalistic growls.

Drawn towards the sound, she approached a heavily secured door with a keypad lock. Estelle sent a command to Amiee, who cracked the code in thirty seconds. Upon entering the code, the door swung open automatically.

Inside, what Estelle saw made her eyes widen and sent shivers down her spine.

Similar corridors, similar glass rooms, but instead of instruments and scalpels, these rooms were filled with people! But these people were far from normal; some had bulging eyes and atrophied limbs, resembling extraterrestrials, others were nearly ten feet tall like prehistoric giants, and some had transparent skin that left their veins and organs visible in grotesque detail.

As Estelle entered, they threw themselves against the glass, snarling with menacing expressions. A giant pounded on the glass with massive palms, making the walls tremble.

Each glass chamber was labeled with a tag detailing experimental data. These people were all experimental subjects. Some had just undergone experiments and retained their human consciousness. Spotting Estelle, they pressed against the glass with pitiful, pleading expressions, begging her to save them.

Estelle understood their despair all too well-if she were in their shoes, she'd prefer death over this existence.

The further she walked, the colder she felt, as if ice was creeping through her veins.

Could her brother be among them?

As she scanned each face behind the glass, she dreaded recognizing a familiar one.

The chambers seemed to stretch infinitely, with Estelle standing in the middle, her shadow dwarfed under the pale lights.

This must be what hell looks like.

Half an hour later, Estelle was back on the seventh floor, pushing a food cart, continuing her job as meal delivery maid.

After changing back into her clothes and stepping outside into the night, the bright lights of Zion couldn't chase away the images seared into her mind. Beneath the city's glamorous façade was a darkness unimaginable.

She had seen human experiments in biological labs during past missions, but those were on a smaller scale, not like this place, with its thousands of experimental subjects that sent chills down her spine. Back at the villa, Lambert was waiting in the living room, his gaze teasing. "Where've you been? Playing maid again?"

Estelle replied, "Ensuring your safety is my priority. Don't worry about the rest."

Lambert closed the distance, his lips curling up slightly, "Sweetheart, Zion's a complex place. Don't wander off, or I might not be able to save you if something happens."

Estelle nodded, "Thanks, but you're under no obligation to save me."

Shrugging, Lambert said, "I'm heading to the bar. Wanna join?"

"Is it dangerous?" Estelle inquired.

He laughed, "The only danger is from the women who grow interest in my body, looking to chain me to their beds."

"I doubt I can help with that kind of danger. I'm going to sleep," Estelle responded.

Lambert's smile turned seductive, "If you covet my body, I'm all yours tonight. You have priority over them!"

Estelle headed upstairs, "Save it for someone who's interested."

Watching her leave, Lambert's smile lingered, low and sensuous.

For the next couple of days, Lambert was free from any pressing matters, spending his days flirting and his nights being flirted with.

Winston had come to Lambert a few times, but he managed to dodge him with various excuses.