Twelve years later.

“How is the research progressing?”

Ellin moved for the first time in hours. She turned her head away from the window, looking with peripheral vision at the man who silently entered the room.

“They are starting to bother me,” the woman returned to the window. “Too close. If this continues, action will have to be taken.”

Behind the glass, a crystal clear lake sparkled in the rays of the afternoon sun. In the distance, tall pine trees could be seen along the banks. Their main office and at the same time main residence was located in the very center of the lake. There was no wind today.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"Is is that bad?” Sheryl clarified, stopping nearby. He didn't look worried. He, like her, did not seem to care at all about the problems looming on the horizon.

“Not yet. Our mutual friend is now trying to take research in a different direction. If he fails, our first priority will be to help him solve the problem differently. For now, we will wait.”

“She can't help him?” the question is asked with the intonation of a person already suggesting a specific answer.

“No. She is busy searching for the Hidden Cities. There may not be a second chance anytime soon. My calculations only work for this time frame. It was quite difficult to get permission to use computing power for personal purposes,” Ellin paused. “How are things going with those documents?”

“You don't know?” For a second, surprise slips into the voice.

“We agreed,” she shrugs indifferently.” As long as my interference is not needed, I will not interfere.

“I’m working on it,” Sheryl nodded.” I already know who, where, and when."

“We always knew,” a light smile touches the woman’s lips.

“They didn't even connect him to the network.” Sheryl’s voice shows dissatisfaction.

“You too,” Ellin looks at him without blinking. Sheryl shrugs.

The interlocutors motionlessly look at the frozen water. The room is silent again.