In the beginning, Shanks agreed to help and even took practical actions. Therefore, the ind still


    needed Shanks'' assistance.


    "Ivana, tell me, why didn''t you report to my people when you came to X City for thisworking event?"


    Abel had no choice but to follow Shanks’ intention. He questioned Luca.


    Luca replied, "The people from the Ind of Despair are watching me. Isn''t it all the same whether I


    report to you or not?"


    Abel''s gaze deepened. He lifted his head and grasped Luca''s chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.


    "Is that your reason for not reporting? Have you forgotten whose side you''re on?" Abel sneered.


    "Do you think you''re still Luke’s woman after returning to his side? Once I tell him everything you''ve


    done, do you think he''ll still keep you by his side?"


    In Abel''s perception, Luke was different from other men.


    He valued emotions more than others.


    Even though others thought he had abandoned his mistreated wife for a younger, prettier woman, they


    did not know it had always been the same person.


    Although Luke did not know Ivana’s true identity was Bianca, the attraction of their souls made him


    choose her once again.


    Still, what did it matter?


    Their child was still on the Ind of Despair. Hence, there was no way Ivana would tell Luke her true


    identity.


    Therefore, Abel believed that if Luke knew what she had done, he would surely choose his own


    interests over his emotions.


    A man like Luke could not tolerate betrayal from others the most.


    Luca secretly let out a sneer. She might have been afraid or worried because of Abel''s threats back


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    then.


    However, it was different now.


    At least she knew that Luke and she were of one mind.


    However, superficially, Luca had not shown her cards.


    "I didn''t know you''d attend this industryworking event, and you didn''t ask me to report to you when I


    went out of town." Luca deliberately showed a hint of panic in her eyes when she spoke.


    It was for Abel to see. It was a w she deliberately revealed.


    Abel raised an eyebrow, feeling like she was making excuses. However, he had no evidence to prove


    it. Just as he was about to say something, Shanks interfered, "You indeed didn''t tell her."


    Abel gave him a sinister sideways nce, as though he was questioning whose side he was on.


    Shanks looked at Abel calmly and picked up his phone. He sent a few photos to Luca.


    Luca’s phone chimed, but she lowered her eyes without taking out her phone.


    Shanks continued, "Ivana, you''re here just in time. I came here to find some medicinal herbs. I received


    a message that the herb farmers here have the ones I want.


    "Can you help me to ask around? I''ve already sent you the names and photos of the herbs."


    When Luca heard what Shanks said, she finally nced at her phone. It was some names and photos


    of medicinal herbs. She furrowed her brows slightly, realizing that these herbs were not from the same


    batch Shanks had initially requested.


    She quickly recalled the medicinal properties of these herbs in her mind. The more she thought about


    it, the more puzzled she became.


    These medicinal herbs were basically toxic. Even if they were not poisonous, they could produce


    harmful toxins to the human body whenbined with certain other herbs.


    What was Shanks researching?


    Shanks could see that Luca was confused. He knew her well and replied, "Your task is simply to help


    me locate these herbs. They''re meant to save lives."


    "Understood." Luca nodded and put away her phone.


    Even though she did not know what Shanks needed the herbs for, if it was for saving lives, then that


    was what they were for.


    Medicinal herbs often had dual purposes. Toxic herbs could also be used for healing.


    Luca was just curious about what kind of people these herbs could save.


    After Luca agreed, Shanks turned to look at Abel and asked, "I''m done. Do you have anything else to


    say?"


    Abel replied enigmatically, "I haven''t disciplined her yet and you''re already giving orders, making it


    seem like you''re helping her out of trouble."


    In Shanks’ deep blue eyes, a hidden flicker of emotion shimmered unnoticed. "Priority is the task at


    hand."


    Those words silenced Abel. He took a deep breath, fixed his eagle-like gaze on Luca, and said, "Ivana,


    you''re from the Ind of Despair. You need to decide which side you''re on.


    "I hope you get it, or else don''t be surprised if I''m not so nice about it. Understood?"


    As Luca listened to his warning, her heart remained unsettled. Before she could respond, Abel


    impatiently delivered a punch to her abdomen.


    "Ugh..." Luca staggered two steps backward, instinctively clutching the area where she was hit.


    Abel knew human anatomy well. Even though he had struck her forcefully, he avoided hitting any vital


    organs.


    Even if she wanted to pretend to be dead, there was no way she could.


    "I''m asking you, did you hear me?!" questioned Abel. His temper red as he moved closer, ready to


    attack her.


    Every time he saw her, he was reminded of Kassy, who was terribly harmed by Luke. He had wanted to


    love her and cherish her, but Luke ruined her so thoroughly. She was barely recognizable...


    If he could, he would kill Luke right now.


    Shanks knew what Abel wanted to do. He stepped forward and grabbed his hand.


    "Let go!" Abel''s eyes were now filled with hatred.


    Shanks coldly reminded him, "Don''t let hatred cloud your judgment. I still need her help, and her


    assistance to me is also an assistance to you."


    As Luca listened to Shanks’ words, she straightened her body slightly. What did he mean by that?


    Was Shanks’ research aimed at helping Abel?


    Luca''s suspicion had its reasons. In reality, most of Shanks''s research was indeed to help Abel.


    For example, the pharmaceutical research was aimed at making money in the pharmaceutical industry


    to strengthen the Ind of Despair.


    Furthermore, the antidotes for those poisons were meant to help Abel control the people on the Ind


    of Despair. It ensured his peace of mind as he did not have to worry about rebellion.


    However, Shanks would always im that these were his own research projects and never mention


    Abel''s involvement.


    Now that Luca heard him saying that, she became even more curious about what research Shanks


    was conducting.


    Shanks'' words sessfully restrained Abel''s impulse. He calmly said, "There are many people on the


    Ind of Despair who can help you, not just her."


    Shanks chuckled as though he had just heard a joke. "Indeed, but your people are all brainless. I''ve


    had them searching for medicinal herbs multiple times now, but all they''ve brought back is garbage.


    "They keep getting deceived. Would you dare to use the herbs they found, given how foolish they are?"


    Abel remained silent.


    The people on the Ind of Despair were all elites, but they were not medical elites.


    It was not that they did not want to learn, but Shanks considered their learning speed inferior to Luca''s


    and deemed it a waste of time to teach them.


    If he felt theycked talent after one or two sses, he would dismiss them to focus on other training.


    He refused to impart further medical knowledge to them.


    Abel had no choice. While those people excelled in tasks like fighting, they simply were not cut out for


    learningplicated medical knowledge.