Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

A knot of anger tightened in his chest, burning hotter with every second.

Seriously? Just a girl and a hot-headed guy, and suddenly their whole operation was in shambles. In a matter of hours, the research team from Country M was in total disarray. Most of their chip-controlled agents were gone, and Country M had taken a massive hit. At this point, they barely had anyone left to rely on.

Panicked, Country M's top officials scrambled to hold a crisis meeting. Their plan? Threaten Jackson and his team with their deadliest weapon, trying to force them to give in—and demanding at least one of them come over to their side.

When Jackson and Fiona got the news, they just sat there, silent. Deep down, they'd both seen this coming. But that didn't make it any easier to swallow. And no matter how desperate things got, this wasn't the answer.

It was clear now: Country M had found Jackson's parents. They had to be in their custody.

Worse, there was a real chance his parents were already under their control—maybe even used to create new chip-controlled agents, just like before.

"Jackson." Fiona's voice was soft as she looked at him, her eyes full of worry and a hint of sadness.

might make it worse. “I'll be okay,

his lips. She smiled up at him, her arms winding around his waist. Jackson held her close, and in that moment, nothing else mattered. After everything they'd faced, they weren't just partners—they were each other's

glad I have

***

at the Kidd family estate, things weren't much calmer. After uncovering a shocking number of chip-controlled traitors in the family, Jane went into full crisis mode. Thanks to her no-nonsense style, a bunch of the Kidd family's own were shipped straight off to prison—where Jane had made sure they wouldn't be

had been swept under the rug, and anything shady had been handled

every last mole rooted out, the Kidd family finally

off the last names on his list, making sure every chip-controlled operative

up with Country M, hoping to expand their design business. But everyone knew this partnership was doomed from the start-Esther had already been called

too. Going back probably meant she wouldn't make it out. She'd already risked everything; she couldn't throw her life

other choice. Without her list,