Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 95 (Dennis' POV) I sat across from Travis in the dining room, the glow from his tablet casting harsh shadows on his face. The air was heavy with tension, but I couldn't tell if it was from the topic we were about to discuss or the fact that we hadn't spoken this openly in years. He was scrolling through emails but his fingers were moving slower than usual and his eyes flickered with something I didn't recognize.

"We need to talk about Angel and Hendrix," I said, breaking the silence.

Travis glanced up and furrowed his brows. "What about them?" "They're... liabilities," I said carefully, measuring my words. "The center has been keeping them for months, and we still don't have clear results from Hendrix's treatments. As for Angel, I" I stopped myself, my throat tightening. "I'm not sure why she's even still there." Travis set the tablet down and folded his hands. "Angel's there because you sent her, Dennis. Don't act like this wasn't your call." I bristled at his tone but didn't argue. He was right. It was my decision to send Angel with Hendrix. At the time, it had seemed logical-she could keep an eye on him, make sure he stayed on track. But now, I wasn't so sure. "They're planning another inspection," I said instead, steering the conversation back to safer territory. "Dr. Joe mentioned it in his last report. He thinks spatients need to be... handled." Travis's face darkened. "Handled how?" "You know how," I said. "Removed. Quietly." He leaned back in his chair. I couldn't read his expression. "And you're okay with that?" I hesitated. Was I okay with it? The thought of Angel being caught in the crossfire madeworried, but I couldn't let my emotions cloud my judgment. "It's not about being okay," I said finally. "It's about survival. If they can't deliver results, they're expendable." Travis didn't respond, but the look in his eyes toldhe was thinking the sthing I was: this wasn't just about the center. This was about something much bigger, something we couldn't control.

"We have a meeting with Dr. Joe tomorrow," I said and pulled out my planner. "We need to go over the center's progress and decide our next steps." Travis nodded, but his shoulders were tense. "Fine. But if anything happens to Angel or Hendrix..." I cut him off. "Nothing will happen to them. Not if we play our cards right." He didn't look convinced.

(Dr. Joe's POV) I was staring at the screen. The scheduled Skype meeting blinked in bold letters across the top. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, but I couldn't bring myself to type anything. Not yet.

The contents of the upcoming conversation was a heavy load on my shoulders I didn't know if I was prepared to carry. Dennis and Travis were always pushing for results, always demanding more. They didn't understand the intricacies of what we were doing here, how we needed to always maintain balance between progress and secrecy.

"Results," I muttered under my breath and leaned back in my chair. "They always want results." The truth was, the center was at a critical juncture. The experiments were progressing, yes, but not without complications. Patients like their beloved Hendrix were becoming unpredictable. Their resistance was threatening to derail everything. And then there was Angel-a wild card I hadn't anticipated. Her presence had thrown a wrench into our meticulous plans, and I wasn't sure how much longer we could keep her under control. A soft knock on the door pulledfrom my thoughts. "Cin," I called.

One of the assistants poked their head in, their expression nervous. "Dr. Joe, the files you requested are ready." "Leave them on the desk," I said and waved them in. They hurried to comply and set down a stack of folders before retreating without another word.

I flipped through the top file, my eyes scanning the data. Bloodwork, behavioral reports, treatment logs. It was all there, neatly organized and utterly damning. If anyone outside the center got their hands on this...

I shook my head and closed the file. That wasn't going to happen. Not while I was in charge.

My gaze shifted to a photo on the corner of my desk. It was the only personal item in the otherwise Godawefully- clean office. It was a picture of Dr. Aurora; her sharp features were softened by a rare smile hidden behind her signature mask and Bohemian-sized glasses. She had been my mentor, my guide, the one who had broughtinto this world of cutting-edge science and moral ambiguity.

"Dr. Aurora always knows best," I murmured, almost as if reminding myself.

But even as I said it, doubt crept into the edges of my mind. Lately, her decisions had felt... off. Her insistence on keeping Dennis in the loop, on treating her like skind of VIP, made no sense to me. Dennis was competent, sure, but she wasn't special. Not in the way Dr. Aurora made her out to be.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. It didn't matter. Aurora's word was law, and questioning her was a dangerous game.

The timer on my desk beeped, signaling the start of the meeting. I straightened my tie, squared my shoulders, and clicked on the Skype link. Dennis and Travis appeared on the screen, their faces as tense as I expected. "Let's get started," I said and forced a smile. "We have a lot to discuss." The conversation was sharp and clinical. Each word was carefully chosen and each point was meticulously dissected. I presented the latest data, highlighting the successes while downplaying the failures. Dennis was stone-faced, and her questions cut through the presentation like a scalpel.

"And the patients?" she asked icily. "The ones who aren't responding to treatment?" "We're monitoring them closely," I said. "Adjustments are being made." She didn't look satisfied. "Adjustments aren't enough. We need results, Dr. Joe." "I understand," I said evenly, though my jaw tightened. "But these things take time." Travis spoke up for the first time. "And Angel? Hendrix? What's their status?"

I hesitated, but only for a moment.

"Hendrix is progressing as expected. Angel...is a complication, but one we're managing." Dennis's eyes narrowed. "She's more than a complication, Dr. Joe. She's a liability." Her words hung in the air like a guillotine, but I didn't flinch. "I'll handle it."

"You'd better," she said with a dangerous ring. "Because, if you'don't, because it won't just be you your job on the line."

The call ended shortly after, leavingalone in the silence of my office. I stared at the blank screen as Dennis's words echoed in my mind. "It won't just be your job on the line." No, it wouldn't. And that was the part that scaredthe most.