Chapter 61
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Despite the absolute chaos raging in the digital and public spheres, the physical atmosphere inside the Whitmore sanctuary remained profoundly peaceful. Noah had instituted strict protocols to ensure that the children and residents living on the campus were completely shielded from the corporate warfare outside.
He walked down the quiet, sunlit corridor of the medical wing, holding a small tray with fresh fruit and warm tea. He knocked gently on the door of Julian's room before pushing it open.
Julian was sitting up in bed, looking marginally healthier, though the deep shadows of chronic trauma still lingered beneath his bright green eyes. He was staring out the window at the snow-covered courtyard where several younger children were building a snowman, their laughter muffled by the thick glass.
"They look so happy," Julian whispered, not turning away from the window. "They don't know what's out there."
"They don't need to," Noah said, setting the tray down on the bedside table. "That is the entire point of this place. We carry the burden so they don't have to."
Julian finally turned to look at Noah. His eyes were wide with a crushing, agonizing guilt.
"I saw the television in the nurse's station," Julian said, his voice trembling. "I saw what Apex is doing to you. They are going to destroy your foundation, Mr. Whitmore. They are going to ruin everything you built, just to get to me. You should have let me freeze."
"Don't ever say that," Noah commanded softly, sitting on the edge of the chair. "A building can be rebuilt. A reputation can be repaired. A life cannot be replaced. You are exactly where you are supposed to be, Julian. We are not afraid of Elias Thorne."
"You should be," Julian breathed, pulling his knees to his chest. "He is a monster. He doesn't just hurt people; he breaks their minds. He locks us in those pristine white rooms and makes us code until our fingers bleed, and if we stop, he turns the lights off."
"I know," Noah said gently. "And we are going to stop him. But I need your help, Julian. I need to know exactly how to prove what he is doing."
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Julian stared at Noah for a long, heavy moment, a fierce internal battle raging behind his eyes. Slowly, he reached up and touched the back of his own neck, right below his hairline.
"They think I just ran," Julian whispered. "They don't know I stole something."
