Chapter 87
Soon, Nina and Jacqueline arrived at the far side of the island.
Unlike the endless stretch of sandy beach at the front, the bark was lined with jagged and treacherous rocks. Not only was the terrain rugged but there was no dear path. One wrong step could send them plunging into the raging sea belene, leaving no trace behind.
No one in their right mind would come to this p
Clifford had choun this spot as the meeting point precisely to avoid the
– Choly the most agile war machines could make it there, so it was sa
Our in the water, a speedboat hobbed along
Standing at
at the bow, Clifford watched the sharp and uneven cliffs, above,
Two petite figures darted across the jaggral rocks. Their movements were rimble and fast as if they were earthbound sprites blending seamlessly with nature. They were breathtaking in watch, emberlying a beauty that felt alenost otherworldly.
Unfortunately, they were far from sprites that symbolized peace. Instead, they were artificially created war machines.
With no soul thuds. Nina and Jacqueline leaped onto the deck of the speedboat.
“Hey. Clifford“” Seeing the man. Nina immediately waved and called our
The linle girl had no idea what was going on. Just like always, she went straight up to him the moment she saw him. With her hands on her hips, she declared with a hint of bowsiness, ““You’re here to take Jackie back, right? Sure, Jackie made a mistake by killing her family, but it was self- defense: They were homble to her!
“And as for her supervisor, he tried to assault her! Jackie had no choice but to kill him. You people in charge need to be fair and stop pinning all the blame on her. If she has to be punished, keep it light. Got it?
Nina was as brash as ever around Clifford, even though he was technically her superior.
But being headstrong was her nature, and not even Clifford’s authority could change that. It was a dynamic no other war machines would dare to emulate.
Jacqueline quietly observed their exchange
Watching Nana’s innocent and carefree behavior filled her with an odd and overwhelming warmth. A lump formed in her throat, and tears welled up unbidden.
It was strange. Seeing Nina so happy made her happy too, but the joy was accompanied by an uncontrollable urge to cry.
Jacqueline thought back to her time with the Shaw family when they had once gathered to watch a drama. In it, a mother had cried while serding
her daughter off to murry, smiling through tears as if torn between joy and sorrow. Now, Jacqueline felt the same.
30, don that make Clifford the shameless weasel meiking off with our curless young rabbit? The thought made her simile wryly.
Except for Nina, all the war machines disliked Clifford to varying degrees. The man was too sly and cunning, making him insufferable. Most importantly, Nina was to naive that she was the only one who would willingly get close to the crafty fox
Watching Clifford suffer was one of the few shared pleasures among the war machines.
“Eh!” Hearing Jacqueline laugh, Nana turned to look at her, taling her head curiously. “Jacqueline, what’s so funny?” she asked.
In recent days, Nina had serised that Jacqueline wasn’t in a good mood. Even though she always wore a
But the smile Jacqueline showell just now had felt genuine as if she had finally let go of a burden.
Nu always felt that she had a lot on
Jacqueline lilinked her long lashes at Nina’s words and smiled. “Nina, aren’t you being a bit ton casual with Mr. Snce? He’s your boss, you know. You should show some respect fu ham, got it!”
Bat Nana retorted proudly. Tim perfectly respectful to other leaders. Hut Clifford? Nah, no need for that. Right, Clifford Being polite with each other would just make things weird, wouldn’t!”
Cliffied looked at the girls nascent and cheerful face. Despite Freling suffocated by the pressure from above, be still smiled warmly at her and sard. “You’re right. With me, you never need to hold back. You can always just be yourself”
1/2
elf Nina grinned at Jarqueline after receiving the man’s affirmative answer
Chapter 57
ina act more restrained. She was just curious about Clifford’s attitude.
“Alright then.” Jacqueline wasn’t really trying to make Nina act more
The man’s reaction firmly convinced her, and she was happy to see that he really spoiled Nina beyond belief.
Nina quickly shifted the topic back and said, “Clifford, you still haven’t answered my question. Please don’t punish Jacqueline, okay? She knows she was wrong and is willing to turn herself in. Can you make sure they go easy on her? Please!”
Clifford’s eyes flickered slightly at her words. He glanced past Nina to Jacqueline with a serious look.
Jacqueline met his eyes and was fully aware of what was awaiting her. The neurotoxin had spread throughout her body, and no treatment could save her. Even if Clifford wanted to plead on her behalf, it was too late.
Jacqueline knew exactly why Clifford had come. First, to ensure she kept silent about the neurotoxin in the control devices, as revealing it could incite rebellion among the other war machines. Second, to retrieve her body.
Jacqueline was fully resigned to her fate. She no longer wanted to resist. Instead, she hoped to use what little life she had left to do something for
the others
If cooperating with Clifford could secure the trust of the higher–ups for other war machines, she was willing to go along with it
