Her increasingly agitated messages suggested she was still free from Anthony's grasp.

As Octavian checked the time, it was almost noon.

He hesitated briefly, then began a silent countdown, "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..."

Right as noon arrived, Joelle sent another message. This time her tone was calmer, pleading for help.

"Mr. Octavian, forgive my earlier words. I need your help. This room isn't safe anymore. Please, move me somewhere safer!"

Joelle's professionalism seemed to shine through her fear. While the Wilson family seemingly failed to locate her by noon, she realized their Limits.

Octavian muttered to himself, "Maybe I should save Joelle. She's too valuable to replace."

Quickly, he made his decision based on what benefitted him most.

If Octavian ignored Joelle, the Wilson family would surely capture her. He couldn't risk that, especially since he had already lost Lilliana. Keeping Joelle close seemed like the better option.

He quickly texted her, "Head to another room. The address is..."

Joelle's reply came swiftly, "Are you there? I'd really like to meet you"

"Just get there, Joelle. We need to shake off the Highwyn folks,"

Octavian typed back, then set aside his white phone.

According to the unspoken rules of Joelle's job, Joelle shouldn't contact anyone until she made it to the next destination.

"Wilson family? Anthony? Interesting..." Octavian chuckled with contempt. He felt he had overestimated Anthony from Highwyn, who he suspected might be part of the “Heaven” faction.

Octavian pulled out his black phone and dialed a number.

The name “Kent Barnes" popped up.

“Hello? Octavian? Is that you?"

“Hey, Mr. Barnes. It's me. I have pondered your previous request to get rid of Anthony, the Wilson family's former head. It's not a big deal. The Wilson family are nothing compared to the ‘Empire.'"

"Is that a yes?" Mr. Barnes sounded delighted. Putting this shady operation in the hands of foreign forces could make him stay away from being suspected.

Octavian grinned.

“Yep, it's a yes, Mr. Barnes. But I'm not after cash this time. The Pill Alchemist Association and Association of Healthcare Professionals possess internal databases. I want access to those databases."

Mr. Barnes was stunned, clearly struggling with the situation.

"Octavian, the Association of Healthcare Professionals' database is full of medical secrets. Some are top-secret, and I can't afford to let them leak, especially not to other countries," Mr. Barnes politely declined.