Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 96

(Angel's

POV)

The hallway was close to dark if not for the fluorescent bulbs. I hadn't meant to be here. Not like this, at least. My feet had carried me, almost instinctively, after hearing Dr. Nixon's sharp voice echo through the corridor. The tone of her words felt urgent, almost panicked, and I couldn't ignore the tug of curiosity or fear-pulling me closer.

Peeking around the corner, I spotted her standing stiffly with Dr. Joe. His posture was as unnervingly calm as ever with his hands tucked casually into his pockets while she gestured furiously. Their voices were quiet but not low enough to escape my ears.

"I told you," Dr. Nixon hissed, "the inspections are scheduled for next week. If we don't get everything in order, they'll start asking questions. Real questions."

Dr. Joe tilted his head and faintly smirked. "And you think I'm not prepared? Honestly, Diana, you disappoint me. After all this time, you should know better than to underestimate me."

Dr. Nixon clenched her fists. "It's not about underestimating you. It's about making sure we don't all go down because of one stupid mistake."

"You mean the journal?" Dr. Joe's tone was casual, but his words hit me like a slap.

I froze, and forgot to take a breath. The journal. He had it. Of course, he had it. My heart pounded as I tried to process what this meant. If they had it, that meant every single detail about the center's inhumane operations was back in their hands. All the evidence we needed to expose them-to bring them down-was gone.

"It's secure," Dr. Joe continued smoothly with annoying confidence. "Besides, it's not like anyone else knows what's inside it. Except for you and me, of course."

not stupid, Joe. She knows more than she's

if hearing my name amused him. "She's clever, I'll give her that. But cleverness can only get you so far without power. And in here? I hold all

doubts. Did I really still need the journal? I mean, I did. Of course, I did. It was the only solid proof we had of what this place was really doing. If no, when I got out of

to leave, my foot brushed against the edge of the wall, creating a faint scraping sound. Dr. Joe's head snapped up and his sharp eyes locked onto mine before I could duck out of sight. "Well, well," he

forced a neutral expression onto my face as he approached. "I wasn't eavesdropping," I said quickly steadily despite the hammering in my chest. "I was just... walking by." His smile widened, sending

Angel, there's something fascinating about you. You always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong

know what happens to people who don't mind their business?" he interrupted with a deceptively light voice. "Let

couldn't. His tone held a weight that pinned me in place, and I could feel the walls closing

slowly in front of me. "Bright, curious, always asking questions. He had a knack for finding things he wasn't supposed to find. One day, he

throat had gotten drier than

could use what he found to get ahead, to expose the truth. But you see, curiosity

I asked quietly, though

he learned the hard way

message was clear: stay out of his business,

should go," I muttered and

it didn't reach his eyes. "Yes, you should.

paused and gripped the edge of

tread. This place has a way of swallowing people