"Will you come with me?" Hu Lei faced her father with a pleading desperation in her eyes.

She had been forming a plan for escape for a while now. But she did not have the heart to leave her father behind. Even though she had told him that she would break ties, she could not just eliminate him from her life and heart. He was her father. He had done something despicable, but she knew she would forgive him. She would always forgive him.

Hu Ming did not respond. He had been postponing his decision since she had first approached him.

"I know that it is a huge risk, but we cannot stay here forever. You can continue your research elsewhere. You do not owe anything to these people." She hardened her voice.

"Ah-Lei, your plan is not bad, but it is not fool proof. There is a high risk that you will be discovered early on even if I help you get the weapons you need. If you fail, you could be left stranded in an ice desert and die." He paused. "Please be patient for a little longer. I am close to a real breakthrough. Once I am done, we can go home."

Hu Lei felt angry at the words, especially when she saw the excitement in his eyes. It was obvious that he did not have any intention of leaving this place anytime soon. He was like a drug addict. He was always craving and when he was high, he would not care about anything except his research.

"Where is home? What do you imagine life will be if by any chance we leave this place?" She confronted him with disappointed eyes.

"It can be like before, Ah-Lei. I will not be involved in this type of research again. We can go around the world doing good deeds. You can be involved in charity work again, and I will open clinics and treat those without access to medical care. We can change the world. I just need you to give me time." Hu Ming seemed sincere.

Unfortunately, Hu Lei was not unfamiliar with this scene. It had been the same in Russia. When Vladimir had demanded her 'help' in cleaning up his illegal operations, her father had been like this. He had sworn that once he finished his research, they would not be involved in dangerous things again. At that time, she had believed him. Nothing had changed. But she was not a child anymore.

"You know that is not true. The least you could do is be honest with me and yourself." She responded wearily before standing and leaving the dining area.

Hu Ming looked at her disappointed and cold back and clutched his fists. This time he meant it. He was not a young man anymore. Though he could not give up the adventurous life working around the globe, he could at least become a true doctor once again.

The more he remained in this underground lab, the more he felt that he had lost his way. He felt guilty every time an experimental subject died. However, he knew that he could not give up halfway or else he would become crazy. He had to either succeed in the work or prove that the Cherub project was impossible. Before he could do fulfil this, he would not leave. The mental burden would be too much.

Some days later, Hu Ming was called into Helen Brown's office. He had never dealt with the woman since the first day he had arrived. However, he had always found her to be a good manager. She did not interfere with the work of scientists.

"Doctor Hu, how is your work proceeding?" She asked cordially.

"I think we are doing quite well." He replied plainly. There was no need to explain the details to someone who would not understand the intricacies.

Helen Brown shifted in her seat and leaned forward.

"Actually, the scientist in charge tells me that things are not going too smoothly. The experimental subjects are dying too quickly, limiting the amount of data you can collect." She inquired with a smile.

"That is correct. I'm looking into a way to break down the process to avoid drastic changes in the subjects' bodies. If we can prevent sudden changes, the mortality rate should decline." He responded.

"I understand that the probability of success would improve if the subjects were stronger." Helen Brown stated with a lifted eyebrow.

"It is a possibility."

"I have discussed the likelihood of getting stronger subjects from the HQ. However, they are not convinced that this could be the solution. If we could show results, they would be more open to providing more durable options."

Helen Brown was clear about the current source of experimental subjects. They were the abandoned of the society around the world, people who would not be missed. Though the company held incredible power around the globe, they were not immune to human rights violations problems. So, they only collected people from the streets.

When she had brought up the issue of stronger people, the solution had been obvious: prisoners. These individuals were not as expendable as the homeless. However, society was not sympathetic, so no one would look deeply into irregularities. If the subjects were taken from different countries of the world, it would hardly been noticeable.

However, since there was significant risk, the HQ was still reluctant.

"Your head scientist suggests that we should use our security personnel. As a smart man, I'm sure you know that this is not an option." She paused for a moment. "But I feel that your daughter could be helpful to our cause."

Helen spoke in her usual casual tone, as if she did not understand what she had suggested.

"I will not allow my daughter to be used like a lab rat." Hu Ming spoke out in anger. "If this is the deal, I will leave immediately."

"You are welcome to try. Remember where we are. We are all prisoners of nature in this place, even though the current weather is quite good. If you are able to bypass the guards, you will die without food or water." Helen responded coldly.

She allowed the words to sink in as she looked at Hu Ming.

"Look here, Doctor Hu. This process is critical to the success of the project, and it will happen with or without you. You can attempt to leave. We won't stop you. You can even hitch a ride with the upcoming supplies convoy.

However, Hu Lei must remain. The only reason I called you was because I believe that her chances of survival are higher if you are in charge of the experiment. Naturally, you will be under strict supervision, but you will have control over everything." Helen Brown explained with kindness in her eyes.

Hu Ming felt anger and helplessness as the facts sunk in. He had been careless, believing in the integrity of these people. Now, what would happen to his only child? He could not help thinking that he had led her to her death.