Chapter 279

To Finn Wallace and the others, Lucy White was nothing short of a godsend.

Who would have thought she'd be this capable, effortlessly carrying them to victory?

Honestly, their former teammate who had quit couldn't hold a candle to her.

Not that they looked down on their ex-teammate—it was just that stumbling upon Lucy felt like striking gold.

Now, they had to keep her happy. If she decided to bail, they'd be left with no one to turn to.

[LOL, the desperation from these three is practically oozing through the screen.]

[They're terrified of pissing off Lucy.]

[How dare they lay a hand on her? These guys have some nerve.]

[Gotta admit, I love Lucy's smug attitude.]

[Too easy would be boring. Only Lucy can humblebrag like this.]

Xavier Boone wholeheartedly agreed with Lucy's assessment.

"True. If it's too simple, it works against us. A challenge makes it exciting."

If he were still leading a team of three on his own, he'd have given up at this difficulty level.

But with Lucy—whose intellect outclassed everyone else—they actually stood a chance.

Finn rolled his eyes and slung an arm around Xavier's shoulders. "Damn, Boone. You're getting bold."

Asher York teased, "That's what happens when you roll with Lucy. You start talking big."

Lucy sighed. "Alright, enough."

Ignoring their banter, Xavier turned to her. "What's next?"

Though he was the captain, he'd grown accustomed to deferring to her judgment.

Lucy pondered for a moment. "We already have a crucial lead right in front of us."

"What lead?" the three asked in unison.

"Dr. Roland's lab."

"The fact that the final clue is here is a major hint in itself."

"Don't forget—this is a top-tier biomedical research facility, staffed by the brightest minds in the field."

She paused. "Lieutenant Leo kept emphasizing that Dr. Roland's team was the most likely to crack the zombie virus."

"Flip that around—they're also the most likely to have created it."

"It's just a theory, but I think we should explore this angle."

Her words were like a lightbulb moment for the group.

Of course—those who could cure the virus could just as easily have engineered it.

And the fact that the production crew planted the clue here? That was practically a neon sign.

Lucy was always the sharpest.

Xavier had sensed something off but couldn't pinpoint it until now.

"Lucy's logic is solid. Unless the crew is deliberately misleading us, the virus probably originated here."

Finn and the others nodded. "Let's dig for more clues."

They split up, ostensibly helping Lieutenant Leo search for survivors while secretly gathering intel.

Lucy and Xavier stayed behind, quickly scanning the bookshelves before inspecting the lab equipment and materials.

Lucy made sure to thoroughly examine the private room where Dr. Roland had been found.

Before long, Lieutenant Leo returned.

He was noticeably more respectful toward Lucy now. "Lucy, we're heading back. You done here?"

Earlier, she'd claimed exhaustion and asked to rest in the lab.

Lucy slid the notebook she'd been reading back onto the desk. "Yeah, let's go."

As they left, Leo locked the lab doors per his superiors' orders.

With Lucy around, getting back in wouldn't be an issue.

Still, the lab housed critical research that needed safeguarding.

Before departing, Colonel Parker had privately instructed Leo to keep a close eye on Lucy's team, ensuring they didn't access sensitive equipment.

They were still unknowns—caution was necessary.

Lucy and Xavier had deliberately avoided guarded archives and untouched devices during their search, a discretion that eased Leo's concerns.

As long as they weren't after classified intel, it was fine.

On the return trip, Leo rewarded Lucy's team with seats in the armored SUV.

Xavier seized the opportunity. "Is Dr. Roland okay now?"

Leo sighed in relief. "His fever broke. Thank God we got there in time."

Since it wasn't classified, he answered honestly.

Xavier nodded. "Losing him would've been a huge blow to humanity."

"How many casualties in the lab?"

Leo grimaced. "About a third. Only a few turned initially, but many more got infected from bites."

Xavier probed further. "Anyone leave the lab before the outbreak?"

Unaware of the fishing expedition, Leo replied, "A few were on leave. They're fine."

"Lucky them," Xavier remarked, mentally filing the intel.

He swiftly changed the subject before Leo could grow suspicious.