My Dad Is An SSS Lycan!

Chapter 8

Marven calmly opened the envelope and drew out the documents. He didn’t read them immediately, just glanced at the title, scanned the seal, then stopped at the line clearly identifying the specimen: Lyra Ashbourne – Unverified Source Hybrid Genome Sample.

He looked up: “Even if this is real, it’s only a preliminary report. No definitive ban. No police. No court. No ruling.”

Lucas replied: “This report enacts a suspension of all research activity on specimens flagged as ‘genetic origin anomaly’. Any transfer, recall, or clinical processing would be in violation of Regulation 17.4.”

Reginald waved a hand: “Enough. I don’t have time for legal lectures from someone who didn’t even bring a lawyer.”

Diana narrowed her eyes: “Can you give us your direct superior’s name? Office address? CEO signature? If not, then… we’re done here.”

Lucas provided an additional certified copy, complete with seal, file number, and verification code.

But no one reached for it.

“You know what makes me suspicious?” Diana tapped her nails on the stainless-steel tabletop: “It’s how perfectly timed you are.”

She turned to Zeyan, eyes sharp as needles: “And what’s even more suspicious is how he hasn’t reacted at all to a ‘stranger’ showing up on his behalf.”

Reginald picked up: “Maybe because that’s not a stranger.”

“Maybe this is Act Two of the pathetic little play he scripted from the start.” Diana said, arms crossed: “Create a sense of desperation, then let the hero enter. But unfortunately for you, we don’t believe in heroes. We believe in wire transfers, tangible assets, and embossed seals.”

Marven held the document in hand. He said nothing. But his eyes said, I’m not convinced yet.

Lucas’s voice remained even as stone: “I’m not here to be anyone’s hero. I’m performing a task allocated to me through the internal assignment system this morning. If you need verification, you’re welcome to contact the Coordination Bureau directly.”

Diana laughed aloud: “Oh, the Coordination Bureau! The agency that never answers calls and never replies to emails.”

Reginald squinted: “I’ve dealt with three cases of fake audits just this year. Paperwork like this can be printed at any corner office.”

Elena turned to Zeyan again. She was beginning to realize that whatever was happening… it didn’t follow any rules she knew.

Lucas still hadn’t glanced at him.

Diana stepped closer to Lucas, lowering her voice: “Let me tell you what happens if you don’t walk out of here right now. One, we report you for unlawful entry. Two, we press charges for interfering in an international transaction. Three, your financial records will be pulled for scrutiny. And I’m guessing… you’ve got nothing to shield yourself if we dig?”

Lucas didn’t blink: “You’re free to do all of that. But if you continue this transaction, and if the specimen does indeed have non-compliant genetic structure, then the legal consequences will be irreversible.”

“Oh.” Diana mock-shivered: “how terrifying. Legal consequences. Shame I don’t have the time to play legal games with you.”

Reginald slammed his palm on the table: “Sign it, Marven. Don’t let some lone employee ruin everything. He’s late. He’s unverified. We’ve already finalized the terms.”

Marven didn’t move.

Diana curled her lip: “If you’re hesitating, I’ll start thinking you believe their little story.”

Lucas said calmly: “This has nothing to do with ‘them’. I don’t know any of you. I’m just doing my job.”

And at that moment, for the first time, Marven’s gaze slid briefly toward Zeyan. Just for a moment, but enough to make both Diana and Reginald turn their heads to follow it.

Zeyan remained motionless.

Lucas didn’t look at him.

Diana spoke softly, every word sharp: “So if we cancel this entire transaction… because of some random official who fell out of the sky… are we not the ones who’ll look like fools?”

Diana glanced at her father, as if awaiting a laugh to follow, but Reginald merely folded his arms and smirked. He didn’t need to say a word, the contempt in his eyes was loud enough: We have nothing to fear.

She turned back, tapping her fingernail lightly against the table: “I’ll admit, it’s quite the performance. Playing the inspector. Presenting the documents at just the right moment. Quoting obscure regulations no one remembers. If I were judging a B-rate reality show, I might even give points for dramatic timing.”

Lucas said nothing.

“But unfortunately.” Diana continued, her voice still breezy: “this is a negotiation of blood, money, and power. Not a stage. And here, only one party holds the contract.”

Marven placed his hand on the document and folded it shut, as if it were no more than a discarded flyer: “I don’t care about red seals or regional codes. I care about the ownership agreement signed between myself and the Ashbourne family. No one can nullify that unless they come bearing a seizure warrant stamped by three governing agencies, and I don’t see any of those here.”

Lucas slid over another document, a verification form from the internal regulatory system, complete with cross-regional routing codes. He laid it beside the envelope, never touching anyone, never emphasizing a word.

Marven didn’t glance at it: “I don’t verify files with my eyes.”

Reginald gave a dry laugh: “He still doesn’t get it. That Rogue thought dragging a stranger into this room would flip the entire game.”

Diana flicked a loose strand of hair from her forehead and smiled: “Still, I have to admit, it’s been entertaining. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a tragically committed performance.”

Elena gripped the hem of her medical blouse. She didn’t fully grasp the legal back-and-forth unraveling before her, but she understood one thing with aching clarity: none of them saw Lyra’s life as the center of anything. Every word exchanged was merely a tug-of-war over who had the right to possess her body the longest.

Zeyan still hadn’t moved.

Marven had picked up the pen again.

He looked at Diana, giving a small signal.

She understood instantly and stepped toward the table. The transfer papers had already been turned open, their glossy surface catching the ceiling lights like a clean, sterile blade. On the final page, the words were clear:

“Authorization for Transfer of Specimen No. 17 – Value: 300 million USD.

Auxiliary Individual: Elena Ashbourne – included, non-appraised.”

Lyra’s price remained untouched.

Elena, came free.

Diana took the pen in hand. She even turned to give Lucas and Zeyan a scornful smirk.

“Next time, choose a more recognizable actor. If I don’t know where you came from, the least you could’ve done was find someone who believes you.”