Adrien had just turned towards the door when he stopped mid-step, as if remembering something. He half-turned, looking at Liam who was still sitting with his body leaning against the chair, his left hand pressing against the wound on his shoulder.
"Oh, one more thing," he said quietly but sharply. "We're having a press conference tomorrow morning."
Liam raised his head, staring questioningly. "About... me?"
Adrien turned around completely, crossing his arms over his chest. "Of course it's about you. The world already knows about the 'Charmary Central High School incident'. Rumors about the red-eyed teenager who destroyed the underground facility started circulating... partly because of leaks from netizens, partly because we let it flow."
Luca said, "Time is no longer on our side. If we don't control the narrative, the public will create their own."
"And that's dangerous," Eren added seriously. "We need one face. One statement. One 'official story'."
Adrien nodded. "You will sit with us on stage. With me, Eren, and the official NEXARIS spokesperson. We will announce that you are our collaborator-part of a new partnership initiative between NEXARIS and the next generation of bioanomalies."
Liam squinted. "And if I refuse to stand in front of the world and read the script you guys wrote?"
Adrien smiled, but his smile didn't touch his eyes. "Then the world will still hear the story... without you there. But with a slightly... unfavorable version for you."
"In other words, I have to be your poster boy."
"For now, yes," Adrien replied matter-of-factly. "Consider it... part of my three-month exam."
Eren opened the tablet and thrust it at Liam. "Here's the scenario. It includes the gestures you need to make, the suggested tone of voice, and the journalist questions we've compiled. No improvisation. Don't deviate."
Liam accepted the tablet with trembling hands. He opened the first page-the title was "Media Strategy & Image Engineering: William Louren". Inwardly, he almost laughed. Not because it was funny... but because of how deeply he had sunk into this game.
"You guys have really written the script of my life," he muttered.
Adrien stepped up once more, standing right in front of him. "Not writing your life, William. We're just... improving your image. So that the world can accept you."
Liam stared at the screen. Then looked up.
His gaze was flat.
"I'll read you the script. But remember one thing..."
Adrien waited.
"I can lie on camera... better than any of you."
Adrien's smile returned. But this time, it was flatter. Colder. He lowered his head slightly, whispering right near Liam's ear.
"Then... make sure you lie beautifully, Liam."
Silence. Adrien's breath held for a moment before his next words slipped out, light... yet piercing.
"Because if you screw up... or try to deviate from the script... the bad things that have already happened might... happen again. And this time, not just to you."
Liam turned his head quickly. The look in his eyes changed.
Adrien replied calmly, his voice remaining low. "You're not the only one we're monitoring. NEXARIS has eyes... more than you can imagine."
Liam gritted his jaw. But Adrien just smiled a little, patting his shoulder that hadn't fully recovered.
"So give your best performance tonight, William. Not for us. But for the people who don't know what they're risking just by knowing you."
Then she walked away. Without looking back.
The door to the room opened again shortly after Adrien left, and this time the figure that appeared was someone Liam immediately recognized-Thiago Lucien.
He entered with quick but calm steps, wearing a light gray medical coat with a small NEXARIS badge on the left chest. In his hands, a portable medical kit and a neatly folded black shirt.
"Sorry to interrupt," Thiago said briefly as he glanced at Eren and Luca. "Mr. Calbourne ordered that the wound be treated immediately... before tonight's conference."
Liam didn't answer. He simply turned his gaze towards the small window that was covered by a thin curtain. Daylight penetrated faintly, indicating that it was almost noon.
Thiago placed the medical kit on the table and began to open it.
"Sit still. This may sting a little," he said as he injected fluid around the wound on Liam's shoulder. "Local anesthetic and A-type regenerative stimulant. Your system is still reeling from the meteor weapon exposure. But we can speed up the healing."
Liam only gritted his teeth as the stinging spread briefly, then faded slowly. He felt a warm sensation radiating from his shoulder to his arm, as the throbbing pain slowly subsided.
Thiago worked quickly, cleaning the blood, stabilizing the wound, and rewrapping the shoulder with a special black bandage.
"You're lucky," he muttered without emotion. "Your shoulder bone is only partially fractured. Two centimeters deeper... and you won't be able to lift your left arm again."
There was no response from Liam. He just sat there, his body shaking slightly-not from pain, but from a mixture of anger, fear, and devastation that he couldn't contain.
Thiago sighed and placed the black shirt on the small table beside Liam. "Change your clothes. Conference briefing starts at 1:30pm. Rehearsal at 4pm. Live at 7pm."
Liam stared at the shirt for a long time, as if it was the epitome of surrender. He didn't say a word. Just stared blankly, then slowly stood up, taking the shirt in silence.
Thiago looked at him for a moment. "You don't have to agree with any of this. But you know your place. We all have a role. And sometimes... roles are disgusting."
Liam didn't answer. He just stood there, shirt in hand, face downcast.
"Do this not because they ask you to," Thiago continued, his voice lower. "But because you know - surviving today... might save you more things you care about tomorrow."
Liam raised his head slowly, but there was no fire of resistance in his eyes. Just a blank stare that kept the world from collapsing completely.
As Thiago exited and the door closed again, Liam began to change his clothes in slow motion. Liam stared at his reflection on the surface of the table. The scars, the black shirt, the shaking hands-it all looked like part of someone he barely recognized.
In his mind, one face appeared.
Hiyana.
With a faltering breath, she whispered almost inaudibly.
Eren and Luca settled in.
"I want to go home, Hiyana... Please help your brother... He's not strong enough... Please heal him..."
Her hands rested on the table, her body slowly leaning back. The weight of the world felt like it could no longer be supported.
Her hands rested on the table, her body slowly leaning back. The weight of the world on his shoulders felt almost unbearable.
From the side of the room, Luca just stared at her-his usually sharp eyes were now softening. No words came out, just a silence that honored the invisible wound.
Eren stood by the wall, his eyes fixed on Liam. There were no instructions, no formal gestures. Just a silence that spoke of understanding - and compassion.
They said nothing.
They let Liam rest.
The room was silent again. Only the slow ticking of the clock's hands accompanied Liam's heavy breathing that was slowly subsiding... or perhaps just settling deeper.