Rachel asked, "Is it possible for Stephie to change back? She''s quite scary in her current state."


    Steven replied, "She''s fine, no matter what."


    She expressed her concern. "But don''t you think she''s a bit intimidating? She''s too calm. I still prefer the old Stephie.''


    He reassured her, saying, "She''s fine."


    She remarked, "But she seems so aloof."


    He retorted, "No, she''s good enough. The important thing is she''s still alive. She has emotions, and at least she understands the value of friendship."


    His voice was husky and full of emotion as if my understanding of friendship was worthy of his deep feelings.


    I gradually opened my eyes and realized that I had dozed off while leaning against the wall. Rachel continued to pray and talk to Steven, using it as a way to shift her focus.


    "Is it true that she''s unable to change back? How frightening it''ll be the day she fully recovers her memory." Rachel''s voice quivered with a hint of apprehension.


    She was scared, afraid that I would reject everyone.


    "You once mentioned that Stephanie used to be emotionally detached. What would happen if she were to return to her previous state? She would surely reject us once more...


    "She really doesn''t seem to understand what love is." Rachel feared that I would no longer seek friendship nor harbor any affection for Steven.


    Steven lowered his gaze, feeling a tinge of disappointment. Yet, he mustered the courage to say, "I just want her to live."


    Not just live but live well.


    "80% of your brain is dedicated to IQ, and the remaining 20% is all about Stephie... You''re a hopeless romantic," Rachelined helplessly.


    He vehemently rejected Rachel''s statement. "No... it can be all Stephie."


    Rachel was rendered speechless by his public disy of affection. She threw out the pebbles with a look of disdain and fixed her gaze on the closed wall before her. "Why haven''t theye out yet? Isn''t Eason a genius?"


    "Someone''s holding them back," Steven said with certainty.


    The murderer had to be among their group. There was someone who was determined to prevent them from escaping, pulling them back at every opportunity. Hence, even if there were two geniuses among them, they might not make it out quickly and safely.


    "Have you figured out who it is?" I asked Steven.


    Steven turned around. His eyes instantly brightened, and he rushed over to hug me.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    For the first time, I actually didn''t mind his affectionate gestures and let him embrace me.


    "I''m not sure yet," he muttered.


    "They''re here." I could hear movementing from that room.


    Rachel stood up in surprise and mmed her hand against the wall, desperately trying to get the attention of those inside.


    "Don''t waste your effort. There''s ayer of sound instion inside," I advised Rachel to stop.


    It was miraculous that we even heard a faint sound. Now, they had no choice but to rely on themselves.


    With a click, the door opened.


    Nevertheless, not everyone made it out. Eason, Quinn, the injured Howard, and seven or eight others were the only ones who emerged.


    "Where''s Joel?" I asked warily.


    "Where''s Zion?" Rachel also inquired with teary eyes.


    Eason''s forehead creased in concern. "Carol called out Simmy''s name and bolted in another direction. The stone door shifted, and we were abruptly separated." Joel pursued Carol. Zion was worried that something would happen to them, so he followed them.


    I remained silent and surveyed the injured individuals. It appeared that a few of them were dead, and these were all who remained.


    Howard red at Steven warily and used him loudly, "He''s a lunatic, a murderer! He''s the one behind all of this, tormenting us and instilling fear in us!"


    While the others were still in shock,


    they stumbled upon Steven. Gripping their weapons tightly, they


    cast wary nces at him, their resolve to take action growing


    stronger.


    Eason shouted irritably, "Calm down, everyone if he were the


    mastermind, you would''ve died a long time ago. He was the one who helped us kill those creatures inside so that you coulde out alive."


    However, Howardpletely ignored the remark. "He''s the one! He''s ying tricks! It must be him!"


    Steven looked at Howard with a chilling re, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.


    I stood up and tightly grasped the dagger in my hand. Steven subconsciously reached out to hold me back.


    I frowned. "He''s noisy. Kill him."


    Howard nced at me and started


    to incite everyone, saying, "I knew this lunatic was concerned about her, so he assaulted us on the 17th floor. don''t believe that this lunatic would still prevent us from leaving if we captured her."