Chapter 225: Thank You for Your Father

Inside the headquarters building's elevator.

Zigler silently stared at the display screen whose numbers kept changing.

The two suited agents riding the elevator with her kept their eyes fixed on the elevator doors the whole time, remaining silent.

Although it was her first time at headquarters, Zigler felt no hesitation at this moment.

Because prior to this, Umbrella had invited her to take part in several biological experiments, but she kept refusing to become a full researcher.

When the elevator halted and brought her to the top floor, she watched the doors slowly open and, seeing outside the elevator several Dark Angels on guard in the lobby, her surprise instantly replaced the composure she had just displayed.

Robot?

The Dark Angels' first impression on her was that they were robots.

Stunned, she stepped out of the elevator to observe and found that the Dark Angels' heights differed enough to be discernible to the naked eye.

This indicated that the Dark Angels were not robots at all, but "people" clad in fully enveloping powered armor.

One Dark Angel approaching her and unfolding its powered‑armor helmet further confirmed the conclusion that the Dark Angels were "people", yet her level of astonishment did not diminish in the slightest.

As an expert in biology and medicine, Zigler understood what these Dark Angels represented, and she quickly assimilated and accepted the fact.

After all, this was Umbrella's headquarters, and no matter what reality‑defying things she saw, Zigler would not find them overly strange.

She and the two agents arrived at the center of the lobby.

The Dark Angel that had unfolded its helmet also stepped before them and said in a deep voice, "Please follow me, Dr. Kaichi."

"Alright."

Next, the two agents halted in the central lobby, while Zigler continued forward with the Dark Angel, reaching the doorway of the top‑floor office.

Enter.

The first thing that caught her eye was a row of floor‑to‑ceiling windows opposite the door, offering an excellent view that overlooked the entire city.

Next, standing in the center of the office, were the two artificial intelligences whose pupils emitted a faint glow, and…

Leon, standing four meters three centimeters tall.

…

Fortunately, Zigler's mental resilience was strong; her expression remained normal, showing no sign of a lapse.

Finally, she focused her attention on Sui Bian, seated in the office chair with a faint smile on his face.

Having left the elevator and walked to the center of this office.

Zigler understood that the "young" man sitting not far in front of her was the true controller of Umbrella, and the board members publicly displayed were merely an illusion presented to the public.

"Hello."

At this moment, Sui Bian introduced himself: "My surname is Sui; it's an honor to meet you, Dr. Kaichi."

"The honor is mine, Mr. Sui," Zigler replied politely, then voiced her doubt: "May I ask what purpose Mr. Sui summoned me here…?"

Upon hearing the question, Sui Bian did not answer immediately; instead, he lightly waved his left hand, projecting a holographic screen on the desk, glanced at its contents, and asked Zigler in return:

"'Nanobiotechnology and the Future of Humanity'—to write such a perfect graduation thesis shows you are more suited to research, yet you refused to become the company's researcher and chose to stay in Los Angeles as a doctor.

I assume you did so for your mother; I'm not wrong, am I, Dr. Kaichi?"

"Yes." Zigler admitted openly.

There was no need to hide this, because she understood that, given Sui Bian's position, he had long known their family's plight and history, even knowing her own family better than she did.

"Mr. Sui, I am very grateful for Umbrella's help to our family, but becoming a researcher means being away from home often, whereas I wish to stay by my mother's side, so I hope you can understand."

"Of course I understand, but the reason I called you here today is because of your father, Lieutenant Kaichi."

"My father?" Zigler was startled, her expression a bit dazed.

Among her various guesses, she had not considered a father whose memory was already hazy, even his voice forgotten.

"Dr. Kaichi," Sui Bian, sensing the emotional shift, continued to ask Zigler:

"I don't know how you view the Sheheba incident that occurred twelve years ago in Syria."

"Sheheba…" Zigler, still not recovered, blurted out, "A… utterly horrific massacre."

The Sheheba Massacre.

Zigler's impression of the event was deep, because in 2000, twelve years ago, she learned from her mother that her father had died of illness in prison.

In fact, since her family no longer lacked money and enjoyed Umbrella Hospital's various benefits, Zigler guessed that the "father's illness death" was a kind lie from her mother.

The truth was never spoken by her mother, but Zigler knew that her father had made some sort of deal with the government and Umbrella, which is why she thanked Umbrella to Sui Bian.

Because of that, the news coverage of the "Sheheba Massacre" left a strong impression on her, and even now she can find related information online.

The anti‑government forces that occupied Sheheba, motivated by religious belief, carried out indiscriminate slaughter and burned the bodies of men, women, and children living there.

Although the government troops, together with the US Military stationed in Syria, succeeded in retaking Sheheba from the rebels, they could not save tens of thousands of lives.

As Zigler gradually regained her composure, she increasingly felt that the Sheheba incident was not that simple and was definitely linked to her father; otherwise Sui Bian would not have suddenly asked for her opinion.

Before she could voice her doubt, Sui Bian once again lightly waved his left hand, generating several holographic screens before her.

And said, "This is the real situation back then; take a look."

Hearing this, Zigler began to examine the text, images, and video files on the screens.

After several minutes of reading the files, Zigler learned that demons and anomalous phenomena existed in the world, and she could no longer keep a composed face.

Nevertheless, she still did not utter an overly errant exclamation, and she finally figured out what kind of deal her father had made.

Thinking that her father had willingly sacrificed himself for them, Zigler's heart ached unbearably, and she forced herself not to break down into a wailing sob.

"Your father is not dead; he is still alive."

【7】?

?

Sui Bian's reminder made Zigler notice that a new file was playing on the screen.

As she continued to review, her expression became increasingly vivid.

Learning that her father not only was alive but was currently slaying demons in hell, Zigler felt her emotions like a roller coaster, leaping from the darkest abyss straight into a bright sky.

Compose your emotions.

"Thank you for letting me know the truth, Mr. Sui." Zigler, whose eyes were still slightly red, sincerely said to Sui Bian.

"This is what I should do, no need to thank me; on the contrary, I should say thank you."

Sui Bian stood up, left his seat, walked around the desk, slowly walked to not far in front of Zigler, with a solemn expression said: "Thank you for your father's sacrifice and dedication."

(End of chapter)