Chapter 1491


    Maja hadn''t touched the watery oatmeal served to her.


    The maid rolled her eyes and whisked the bowl away without a word.


    "Just stay put in bed, honey. Nobody''s here to wait on you hand and foot."


    The door clicked shut, and it was only then that Maja cautiously slid out from under the covers.


    Thankfully, her body felt unmedicated and strong.


    Peering through the window, she realized she was trapped in avish estate, with faux hills and


    babbling brooks decorating the grounds.


    She tried to open the window, but it was sealed shut.


    Next, she came to the door and tried pushing against it. It wouldn''t budge, as it was locked from the


    outside.


    Was she being held captive?


    At least the room was spacious,plete with an en suite bathroom.


    She returned to the bed. Uncertain of her current predicament, she was left with no choice but to wait.


    Meanwhile, in the grand parlor of the Bradshaw estate, a steaming cup of coffee sat before Patric.


    The Bradshaw patriarch, Timothy, now in his forties, had taken the reins of the family after the previous


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    head passed away years ago.


    Recognizing the Patric''s poise, Timothy watched him with a light chuckle. "So, Mr. Patric, you''re


    interested in further business with us?" he inquired with a smirk.


    Setting down his cup, Patric spoke in a nonchnt tone.


    "What kind of business would the Bradshaws be unaware of? Aren''t you folks the best at peddling


    ''bipedal beasts''?"


    "Bipedal beasts" was a crass term for humans.


    On Forbidden Ind, everyone knew what the elite families were up to – a grim yet enduring trade.


    And it was a monopoly held tightly by these families, who sold ordinary folks like chattel.


    Here, women''s status was pitifully low, as their value was nearly reduced to childbearing alone.


    For every additional child birthed, a handsome reward was offered. As a result, there was rarely any


    one-child family on the ind.


    Every school on the ind existed solely to cultivate the children''s innate talents, and those who


    showed particr promise would be earmarked for greater things.


    The rules weren''t as exaggerated as Quentin had described to Maja, but they were close enough.


    Only the select few heads of the Inner Ind ns were privy to these rules, and even their own kin


    remained in the dark.


    The n members had somehow felt their unassable status, and therefore inted their arrogance


    when dealing with others.


    Timothy narrowed his eyes to appraise Patric. Just days ago, an Eric had appeared and was seized by


    the powerful families, but ended up escaping their grasp.


    With Eric having fled, now here came a Patric, who looked eerily simr with Eric. Were they brothers,


    or something else?


    But Eric was a brute with a straightforward code, certainly not one to dabble in the trade of humans.


    This man before Timothy was nothing like Eric. They couldn''t be brothers.


    Timothy remained silent, his gaze fixed on his teacup.


    After a while, he asked, "How many ''bipedal beasts'' does Mr. Patric require?"


    "Mr. Bradshaw, I want twenty of the finest quality you have."


    "No problem. But when will we receive the promised medication from you?"


    "One month''s time."


    "Very well, in that month, the Bradshaws will ensure Mr. Patric is well amodated."


    Patric rose and left the parlor.


    The butler fell silent, standing respectfully.


    This Elder would im people every three months, and none who left ever returned.


    Besides the Elder, there was BLACK, the exclusive dealer of medications. BLACK was known to the


    Elder but rarely seen with him.


    The families all bought their drugs from BLACK, but the supplies were limited.


    Now, with a new yer offering medication, the Bradshaws had to take their chances. Content belongs


    to Dr?мanоvels


    After all, Patric had promised to sell exclusively to the Bradshaws, if his drugs met their standards,


    which could mean a monopoly for them.


    With his lips curled in intrigue, Timothy wondered what Patric would ultimately bring to the table.


    He instructed the butler, "Whatever he asks for, amodate him."


    "Yes, sir."


    Patric did have a request – he needed ab. It seemed he intended to conduct his own research.


    Within half a day, a pristineb was set up next to Maja''s room.


    And to keep an eye on her, Patric had a small observation hole drilled into the adjoining wall.