Derek raised his gaze to meet hers, his expression calm but resolute, "I'm sorry, Cecilia, but I'm afraid that's not possible."
Cecilia's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat, "W-What?" she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.
Cecilia was visibly taken aback, her face a mask of disbelief, "You're not serious, are you? Or are you being forced into this somehow?" she asked, her voice wavering.
Derek closed his eyes momentarily, a sign of the inner turmoil he was suppressing. When he opened them again, his gaze was steely and resolute, "No. Everything is being carried out under my orders."
Cecilia's eyes widened in shock, "Derek?"
"...but for the greater good," Derek completed with a determined and unwavering gaze.
The weight of his words sank into Cecilia's chest, causing her to shake her head in disbelief, "No... You can't. Please tell me you're not actually experimenting on people—people who trust us to protect them."
