The last joint mission had succeeded precisely because the rookies had unknowingly acted as bait, distracting the enemy and helping the elites execute their real objectives. And now, here they were again—another batch of clueless rookies thrown into the fire.

  Rosaline narrowed her eyes, letting out a slow exhale. Neither she nor Vince could change that man’s decision. The joint mission was happening, whether they liked it or not.

  And with the case-solving option gone, Axel’s chances of survival had just plummeted.

  “If I withdraw now, will there be a replacement plan this year?”

  “No,” Vince shook his head. “If you back out, the next chance is next year.” Vince shook his head, which means that if Axel quits, their recruitment plan will be further shelved.

  Rosaline’s jaw clenched. Damn it. Rosaline was still very dissatisfied with Vince. If he had chosen a third-level awakener or a second-level upper-grade, Rosaline would not let him quit now.

  Axel listened to their conversation quietly, and it could be seen that Vince really wanted to recruit more people. But just from the cruelty of this selection, Axel knew that the recruitment conditions of Whisper Syndicate were indeed outrageous. Quitting now is the best choice for him.

  Then, with a slow inhale, he spoke. “Mr. Vince. Mrs. Rosaline. I’m not quitting.”

  A hush fell over the room. Even Vincent and Kaia—who had been quietly chatting—froze mid-conversation.

  Rosaline’s eyes sharpened like a blade, locking onto Axel’s. “Kid, now is not the time to play hero. You think this is a game? The mortality rate in joint missions is no joke.”

  Axel met her glare without flinching. “I still want to try.”

  They stared each other down for a long time. Rosaline searched his expression, looking for even a flicker of fear. But there was none.

  Finally, she exhaled sharply and turned away. "If you want to die, that’s your problem. Don’t expect anyone to save you when shit hits the fan.” She paused. “Think it over. You could until tomorrow give us your final answer.”

  Then, without another word, she stormed out, not bothering with goodbyes.

  .....

  After everyone left, Axel sat in silence. This is bad.

  As Rosaline said, solving a case was the best option for him. The safest. The smartest. But now, that door was slammed shut.

  And this joint mission? He still had no idea what it actually involved.

  His thoughts were interrupted by a small, determined voice.

  “Brother, I’m going with you.”

  Axel looked down. Annabelle’s big, watery eyes stared up at him, full of stubborn resolve.

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  He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Not this time.”

  Gently, he ruffled her hair. “When I come back, I’ll take you everywhere. Didn’t you want to see the northern snow? Go boating in the south? When I come back, we’ll do all of that. I promise.”

  Whisper Syndicate members had privileges. Axel had already seen the shift in power when Vince and his squad appeared—how even someone like Lachlan, who held power over warden Maxwell and Callum, had folded instantly.

  Axel wasn’t chasing power. But he wanted freedom. And more than anything, he wanted to take Annabelle out into the world.

  “I don’t care,” Annabelle huffed. “Then quit. We can just go to War Academy instead.”

  She almost never got mad at him. But tonight, she had overheard everything—Rosaline’s warning, the grim statistics. If even those powerful elites thought this mission was dangerous, how could she possibly be okay with him going?

  Axel smiled gently. “Annabelle, trust me. Once I join the Whisper Syndicate, we’ll be able to go anywhere we want. Don’t you want to see the sea?”

  Normally, she’d be swayed. Normally, her eyes would light up at the thought of adventure.

  But this time? This time, she barely hesitated before shaking her head. “No. No, don’t go.”

  Her small, ice-cold fingers clutched his rough, scarred hand. “Please.”

  Axel exhaled slowly, his expression softening. Then, he spoke the truth. “Annabelle. Do you really think we have a choice?”

  She flinched. Because deep down, she knew.

  Every crucial moment in Axel’s plans—every major victory—had been quietly aided by this seemingly harmless little girl. But if her secret was ever exposed…

  They wouldn’t just be fugitives. They would be hunted. Joining the Whisper Syndicate was the only way to secure their future. To protect her.

  Annabelle’s gaze wavered. Slowly, her hands loosened. She lowered her head, looking lost in thought. Then, after a long silence, she turned and walked toward his room. “I’ll help you pack."

  Axel let out a quiet breath of relief. Watching her small figure disappear into his room, his resolve hardened.

  I won’t die. He couldn’t. For both their sakes, he would survive this trial.

  ......

  From the front seat of a black military Hummer, Rosaline leaned against the window, lazily watching as Axel stepped outside, bags in hand. She shook her head. “So, he does really participate?”

  Vince, sitting calmly beside her, barely glanced up. “Let him.”

  Vincent and Kaia helped Axel pack, Vincent couldn’t resist complaining. “Damn, man. You’re bringing so much stuff it’s like you’re going on vacation.”

  Axel sighed. Annabelle spent all night stuffing his bag with clothes and food. And she wouldn’t let him leave without them.

  Before he could say anything else, Annabelle came running over, holding a delicate little box.

  “Mr. Vince, Mrs. Rosaline, everyone—this is for you.”

  Rosaline raised an eyebrow as the team stepped forward. The moment the box was opened, a sweet, rich fragrance filled the air. Inside were several small, perfectly crafted cakes.

  Annabelle carefully held the box out. Vince reached for it, only to get his hand smacked away by Rosaline. “You’re too damn clumsy. Let me do it.”

  She took the box and glanced down at Annabelle, who barely reached her chest. After a moment, she reached out and gently touched the little girl’s cheek.

  Annabelle’s voice was soft but firm. “Brothers and sisters… please take care of my brother.” Then, she bowed. A perfect ninety degrees.

  For once, Rosaline was silent. She stared at the little girl for a long moment, then let out a slow breath, pressing a hand to her chest as if easing some unseen weight.

  Vince caught the movement and frowned slightly. “Rosaline, you…”

  “Shut up and get in the car.” She didn’t look at him as she turned away.

  No one else spoke. After tasting Annabelle’s carefully made cakes, they loaded up and drove off. Standing alone at the courtyard gate, Annabelle clutched the now-empty box. The roar of the Hummer faded into the distance. She wiped her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. “Brother… come home safe.”

  ......

  Inside the car, the mood lightened almost immediately.

  “Axel, your sister is so damn cute.” Kaia sighed dramatically. “I wish I had a cute little sister like that. Mine just steals my food.”

  Vincent was about to agree, but Kaia shot him a look. “Forget you. If you had a sister, I don’t even wanna know what kind of illegal shit you’d get up to.”

  Vincent’s face darkened. “What the hell, Kaia? Do you really think I have no moral standards?”

  Kaia grinned. “Nope.”