Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Chapter 1980

Estelle set her empty glass down on the coffee table with a clink and turned to Lambert, "We've overstayed our welcome, it's time we head out!"

Lambert, seeing Estelle unharmed, realized he might have been overly concerned. The truth was, he hadn't slept well the night before, which probably accounted for dozing off.

He stood up, his demeanor once again that of a charming gentleman, "Please extend my gratitude to Mr. Alvis for his hospitality, and tell him we've taken our leave, Ms. Beverly." Sylvia, with a light laugh and nod, responded, "You're always welcome here, Mr. Brennan. Don't be a stranger."

Lambert smiled gently at Estelle, "Shall we?"

On the drive back, Lambert continued to check on Estelle, "Feeling alright?"

"Hm?" Estelle looked at him, puzzled.

Lambert just shrugged, not elaborating or pressing further. Perhaps it really was nothing.

That Night

It was the wee hours of the morning, but the Party AT Midnight was in full swing. The club was alive with energy, showing no signs of slowing down.

On the 49th Floor

The guard saluted respectfully as Winston stepped out of the elevator.

Winston nodded, "It's Christmas, why don't you join the Party AT Midnight? I'll just check in here; no need for interruptions."

The guard replied, "Thank you, Mr. Winston, but Mr. Raiden's orders are clear: no leaving the post during the night shift." Winston didn't press the issue and made his way to the lab door.

The lab required fingerprint recognition, and once Winston had gained access, the guard turned his gaze away.

Inside, the lab was vast, filled with high-tech equipment. Two researchers, collecting samples, paused to greet Winston.

Winston asked a couple of cursory questions before proceeding to the virus storage room.

The virus samples were kept in a refrigerated cabinet, each vial housing a different strain.

The cabinet required a dual-authentication of retinal and fingerprint scans.

Winston returned to the main lab area, where a naked man lay on a bed. The data indicated it was the second day of experimentation. The man's skin was marked with various lesions, some areas beginning to necrotize.

As the researchers examined the subject and recorded data, preparing to move him back to the containment unit, Winston inquired, "How's it going?"

One of the researchers, with curly black hair, shook his head, "Extending the incubation period has failed again. We need to keep experimenting." Winston frowned, "I heard someone got out today and was found out by Mr. Huff's staff. It almost got to Mr. Raiden. What happened?"

The researchers exchanged a nervous glance. One of them explained, "Professor Bill had taken a liking to one of the maids. During an intimate moment in the lab, she accidentally came into contact with the virus and had to be placed in containment. Today, Professor Bill, worried you'd find out, tried to move her to cryostorage. But in the elevator, she woke up, and while the attendants were distracted, she hit the button and escaped."

Winston nodded, "Fortunately, no harm done. I'll keep Professor Bill's secret for now."

The researchers visibly relaxed.

"And which virus did the maid contract?" Winston asked.

"The S1005 strain," replied the curly-haired researcher.

"Show me," Winston commanded.

Together, they headed to the virus storage room. After passing the biometric scans, they opened the refrigerated cabinet, allowing Winston to examine the vial containing the S1005 virus.