Chapter 18

David's expression grew more concerned as he studied Lior's face. "What kind of concerns? Dr. Harrison has an excellent reputation."

Lior hesitated, Lucien's warning echoing in her mind. How could she explain it without sounding completely paranoid?

"It's just... I feel strange about it," she said carefully.

"Strange how?" Maya asked."This is the opportunity you've been dreaming about. Dr. Harrison's lab is legendary."

Lior's heart began to race. Maya was right - this was exactly what she'd wanted. But Lucien's voice kept replaying in her head. He wouldn't say that without reason.

But what if he was wrong? What if she was letting his paranoia cost her the chance of a lifetime?

David leaned closer, his voice dropping to a concerned whisper. "Lior, if there's something else going on... you know you can talk to me, right?"

The genuine worry in his eyes made her chest tighten.

"You know what?" Lior said suddenly, "I'm going to the interview."

David's face lit up with relief and excitement. "Really? That's great news. I think you'll be perfect for it."

But even as she said it, Lior felt a flutter of anxiety in her stomach. Was she making a terrible mistake? But what could ho wrong ?

Maya bumped her shoulder. "Since when do you let anyone make decisions for you?"

"The interview is tomorrow at three," David continued, pulling out his phone. "I can text you Dr. Harrison's office details."

"Perfect."

As they walked toward their next lecture, Maya fell into step beside her. "So what's really going on?"

Lior glanced around to make sure no one else was listening. "Lucien thinks the research opportunity might be... connected to other things happening in our lives right now."

"Connected how?"

"I honestly don't know. He won't give me details."

Maya raised an eyebrow. "And how's that working out for you?"

"Terribly," Lior admitted.

As they entered the lecture hall,her phone buzzed with a text message. Marcus's name appeared on the screen.

"Mrs. Pembroke, Mr. Pembroke requests that you wait for pickup after your final lecture today. There have been some developments that require discussion."

Lior stared at the message, what did it mean.

She typed back quickly: "What kind of developments?"

The response came immediately: "Mr. Pembroke will explain in person."

Dr. Patterson's lecture on advanced pathophysiology began, but Lior found it impossible to concentrate. Her mind kept wandering between the research opportunity and whatever "developments" had prompted Lucien's urgent summons.

Maya, sitting beside her, noticed immediately. She slid a small piece of paper across their shared desk: "You look like you're about to throw up. What's wrong?"

Lior wrote back: "Can't stop thinking about everything."

"The interview or the warning?"

"Both."

Maya studied her friend's pale face with growing concern. She'd known Lior for years, had seen her handle pressure from demanding professors, financial stress, her mother's illness, but this was different. This was the look of someone caught between conflicting loyalties, torn between what she wanted and what someone else expected of her.

"Meet me after class," Maya whispered. "We need to talk."

The lecture dragged on endlessly. Lior found herself checking her phone every few minutes, half expecting another message from Marcus with more urgent instructions. Her mind raced with possibilities. Had something happened with her mother? Was there news about the conspiracy surrounding Elena's medical records? Had they discovered something about Isabella or the other people involved?

Or was this about the research interview? Had Lucien somehow found out about her decision to go ahead with it despite his warnings?

Her stomach churned with anxiety. The thought of facing his displeasure made her feel physically sick, but the alternative – giving up her dreams because he said so – felt even worse.

When Dr. Patterson finally dismissed the class, Lior felt like she'd been holding her breath for two hours. Students filed out around them, chatting about weekend plans and upcoming exams, while she sat frozen in her seat.

"Okay, spill," Maya said, turning to face her directly.

Lior looked around to make sure they were alone before speaking. "Lucien doesn't want me to do the interview. He thinks it's somehow connected to all the other stuff that's been happening ."

"And you believe him?"

"I don't know what to believe anymore." Lior's voice was barely above a whisper. "Part of me thinks he's being paranoid, that he just wants to control. But another part of me wonders if he knows something I don't."

Maya was quiet for a moment, processing this information. "Has he been right about things before? His instincts, I mean."

Lior thought for a moment.

"Yes," she admitted reluctantly. "He has."

"But?"

"But I can't live my life always following his orders."

Maya nodded slowly. "But he has resources and connections you don't have access to. You will need him somehow. "

"What would you do?"

"Go to the interview. But try to get more information from him first. If he really thinks it's dangerous, he should be able to explain why, shouldn't he?"

Lior's phone buzzed again. This time it was a call. Marcus's name flashed on the screen.

"Mrs. Pembroke? I'm outside the medical building whenever you're ready."

"I'll be right there."

She gathered her books quickly, her heart hammering against her ribs. "I have to go. Lucien's waiting."

"Text me later," Maya said firmly. "Whatever happens, I want to know you're okay."

Marcus stood beside the familiar black sedan, his expression professionally neutral but somehow more serious than usual. When he opened the door for her, she caught a glimpse of his eyes in the rearview mirror.

"Is everything alright?" she asked as they pulled away from campus.

"Mr. Pembroke will explain everything, ma'am."

The non-answer made her flare but kept it in. If Marcus wasn't talking, whatever was happening must be serious indeed.

The drive to Sterling Heights passed in tense silence.

he house seemed quieter than usual when they arrived. Mrs. Chen was nowhere to be seen, and the usual bustle of staff activity was noticeably absent. Marcus escorted her directly to Lucien's study, knocking once before opening the door.

"Mrs. Pembroke is here, sir."

Lucien stood behind his desk, his back to the door as he looked out the tall windows overlooking the gardens. He didn't turn around immediately when she entered, and something about his posture – the rigid set of his shoulders, the tension in his stance – made her pulse quicken with fresh worry.

"Sit down."

His voice was carefully controlled, but she could hear the underlying strain. She took the chair across from his desk, her hands clasped tightly in her lap to hide their trembling.

When he finally turned to face her, his expression was darker than she'd ever seen it. His gray eyes held a dangerous glint that made her instinctively lean back in her chair.

"You are going to interview."he said quietly.

Her heart stopped. "How did you know about that?"

"You've decided to ignore my warnings and pursue this research opportunity despite the obvious risks."

The coldness in his tone made her feel small and defensive. "It's my decision to make."

"Stop being stubborn, there could be danger."

"What danger?" Lior's voice rose with frustration. "You keep talking about risks and threats, but you won't tell me what they actually are. How am I supposed to make informed decisions when you won't give me the information I need?"

Lucien moved around the desk with predatory grace, stopping directly in front of her chair. He leaned down, bracing his hands on the armrests, caging her in place. His face was inches from hers, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"Dr. Harrison's research lab has received significant funding from Victoria Blackwell's foundation over the past six months. Is thatenough?"

Lior felt the blood drain from her face. "That's... that's impossible."