After leaving the Umbrella Mobile Reaction Force base, Eddie finally let out a breath.
The pressure those big shots gave off was insane.
What he needed to do now was be obedient on the surface, and look for chances to rake in benefits behind the scenes.
Once Wesker died, he’d expose all of Wesker’s dirty secrets and rake in benefits again—perfect plan!
Thinking about what happened yesterday, Eddie didn’t want to go back to the lab for the time being.
He didn’t know how to face Annette.
At least he should come up with a solution first—then go back.
He arrived at the place where he’d made the deal with Mayor Mike: inside an enormous warehouse sat a helicopter.
This was an important tool for escaping Raccoon City.
Eddie inspected it and found nothing wrong.
It could lift off even with a short hop, and actual flight was no problem.
Everything checked out—usable for escape.
Ring-ring-ring!
The phone rang.
Eddie picked it up, and Annette’s icy voice came through.
“Why aren’t you coming to the lab?
Afraid to face what you did?”
Eddie fell silent for a moment.
“Are you alright?
I’m mixing something—it should be useful for you.”
“I didn’t tell William.
Relax.” Annette’s voice stayed cold, but it carried a strange undertone.
“We’ll settle our score later.
Now get your ass back here—don’t make people suspicious.”
“…Fine.” Eddie paused.
“I’ll be back later.
I still have something to handle.” He went quiet, then decided to face the truth.
One hour later, Eddie returned to the lab.
The moment he walked in, he saw Annette sitting weakly in a chair.
Her ten-centimeter high heels still announced her dominance.
“What do you have to say?” Annette’s gaze was icy.
If circumstances allowed it, she would probably have put a bullet in this guy.
Eddie suddenly pulled out a bag.
Inside were fresh grilled wings, burgers, and freshly squeezed juice.
“I think this incident was also a good thing—it let me learn the danger early.
You’re my friend.
I don’t want anything to happen to you.
If you don’t mind, I can give you my research data.”
Annette snorted.
For once, she took out a woman’s cigarette and lit it.
She didn’t seem to know how to smoke—she coughed a few times.
“No need.
I don’t want your data.
Eddie shook his head.
“I know the T-serum can’t match the G-serum in potential.
But in terms of stability?
The G-serum couldn’t catch up to mine even if it was galloping after it.
You could be enhanced too.
Do you know who I met today?”
“Who you met has nothing to do with me.” Annette drew on the cigarette, trying to steady her inner turbulence.
“Who did you meet?”
Women really were all mouth and no heart—clearly she wanted to know, but she still acted like she didn’t care.
“I met Sergei,” Eddie said without hiding anything.
“He told me to investigate William.
I said I’ve been studying under you the whole time, and I’ve never met William.
Sergei’s strength is terrifying—he’s perfectly adapted to the T-serum.”
“Sergei?!” Annette’s eyes turned vicious.
“Are you trying to sell us out?”
“Of course not.” Eddie smiled, his expression sincere—bright, sunny, not like a bad person at all.
“If I sold you out, I wouldn’t be standing here.
I told you—we’re friends.
Good friends.
I won’t betray you.
What I’m thinking is: you might need some of my physique-enhancement serum.”
Annette nodded.
When the cigarette burned down to the last ash, she suddenly remembered something.
“Do you know Professor Muller?
A senior researcher at Umbrella’s Raccoon City ‘hive’ facility.”
Eddie shook his head.
“I’ve only been in Umbrella a short time.
I don’t know.
What does he have to do with us?”
“He’s an expert in the Tyrant bioweapon series,” Annette said solemnly.
“He’s extremely opposed to mass production and has unique design techniques.
He’s also the lead developer of the T-serum vaccine.
Your situation—if you get hit by the vaccine, you could collapse!”
“You mean… I should steal the vaccine?” Eddie frowned.
Annette nodded.
“Not steal—visit him.
He used to be at the Executive Training School, so you should have an easier time connecting.
But he has already left Umbrella, and his whereabouts are unknown.
What I’m saying is: you might want to obtain the vaccine data and crack it to reduce your weakness.
Otherwise, even if you look powerful, one shot could end you.”
Eddie fell into thought.
This really was a problem.
Among the Tyrant line, the most powerful was the one designed by that very Dr.
Muller—the Thanatos Tyrant.
It was the strongest kind, comparable to Nemesis.
And how did that Tyrant die in the end?
After being hit by a vaccine bullet, it exploded and dissolved on the spot.
Without the vaccine, it was nearly invincible—it would only keep evolving.
“You’re right.” Eddie nodded.
“If the company has vaccine data, I can get it and study it.
But I still need to thank you—your advice is valuable.” Eddie smiled with that sunny grin again.
Annette snorted.
“Even if the company has it, they won’t tell you.
It’s classified!
I’m only worried you’ll die and ruin my plans.
Don’t overthink it.” She turned on her heels and left—her steps a little unsteady!
Hah.
Women!
Always unwilling to admit the truth.
Fine—what was a little flattery anyway?
Eddie shook his head and left too, planning to ask Sergei for the T-serum vaccine data.
Then he hesitated—would that raise suspicion?
That night, in the apartment, Eddie studied the materials in his hand.
They were incomplete—nowhere near enough to make a vaccine—only a detailed description of the theory behind it.
Jill dried her hair with a towel.
“Dear, what are you thinking about?”
Eddie suddenly thought of something.
“Jill, you know Raccoon City well, right?
I want to find someone at the university—Umbrella’s former senior researcher, Dr.
Muller.
I know he’s hiding somewhere in the Raccoon City University district, but I don’t know the exact location.”
Jill looked puzzled.
“Is that hard to find?”
Eddie nodded.
“Yes.
For researchers who leave Umbrella, Umbrella either kills them or wipes their memory.
I’m looking for evidence of their crimes.
We can know these things, but absolutely don’t let a third person know.
Understand?”
Seeing the man’s serious expression, Jill nodded.
“I understand, dear.
Whatever you say goes.
Then those tourists who disappeared and died horribly in the Arklay Mountains—do you think it’s connected to Umbrella?”
“I can’t tell you yet.” Eddie shook his head.
“I’m not sure either.
For now, we’re best off acting like we know nothing.
Wife—do you trust me?” Eddie suddenly asked.
“Of course I trust you.” Jill smiled—when the goddess smiled, a hundred charms were born!
It’s not really mandatory—I’ll eventually upload all the chapters here—but it helps a lot in supporting me and allows me to dedicate more time to it.