The Heiress Spoiled by Four Brothers and One Devilish CEO-Chapter 216 Once I Fall, It’s for Life

James Evans’s heart was pounding the second he heard the lab data had been stolen. He never thought they’d catch on this quickly.

Crouching in front of the safe, he punched in the code with trembling hands. With a beep, the door clicked open, and he yanked out a fat stack of files.

He let out a long breath — thank God, it was all still here. He had to move it now.

Just as he started to rise, something cold and hard touched the back of his head.

He froze. The file shook in his hand.

Then, the study door creaked open.

“Babe? What’s going on?”

His wife stepped in, only to have a black pistol pointed right at her temple.

“Still wanna talk brave?” the gunman said flatly.

She quickly shook her head, face draining of color. “No! No, please—we can talk, just don’t shoot.”

James raised both hands, voice shaking. “You want the files, right? Take them. Take everything. Just don’t kill us, please!”

The weapon disappeared, and someone snatched the files from his grasp.

Eyes shut tight, James pleaded, “I don’t know who you are. I didn’t see anything. Just leave us alone, okay?”

A low chuckle echoed around the room. A man sat lazily on the couch, legs crossed like he owned the place.

“If I walk out that door,” the man said calmly, “you and your wife are dead meat.”

James’s eyes flew open. Sitting there, cool and collected, was Tristan Reid.

“Y-You’re... Mr. Reid?!”

Tristan tapped his gloved fingers on the sofa’s armrest, the sound thick and dull.

“You’ve both been infected,” he said casually. “Something called the devourer toxin. If it activates, those little parasites’ll eat your heart alive. Painful stuff. You’ll bleed out from every hole in your face.”

James’s wife turned pale, staring wide-eyed at him. “You monster. What the hell did you drag me into?!”

James collapsed onto the floor like all the strength had drained out of him.

“Mr. Reid, please—you gotta help us. I can’t sleep, can’t eat, this thing inside me feels like a bomb ready to go off.”

Tristan glanced at James’s round gut and snorted. “Can’t eat? Doesn’t look like it.”

James scrambled forward on his knees. “If you help us get this toxin out, I’ll tell you everything. No lies.”

Tristan’s fingers halted mid-tap. “You think you’re in any position to make deals with me?”

James clenched both fists. “I’ve been involved from the beginning. I’m a direct witness.”

“You think sending your kids overseas keeps them safe?” Tristan’s tone sharpened. “They’ve got the toxin too. Didn’t see that coming, did you?”

James’s eyes went wide. “That... can’t be.”

Tristan uncrossed his legs and leaned in. “You honestly believed their promises? The second you lose value, you’d be the first to go. And your wife and kids? Just more pawns on the board.”

He didn’t stop. “That Minister you work with? He’s knee-deep in things that breach national and global safety. And you’re right behind him. If he wins, you vanish. If he falls, you’re the first scapegoat.”

He paused, voice steady. “But if you flip—if you testify against him—you might just earn yourself a second chance. I can’t promise your survival, but I’ll do everything I can to keep your family safe.”

James went quiet. He stared at the floor for what felt like forever. Then slowly looked up.

“I’ll talk. I’ll tell you everything.”

**

Cameron Brooks got the stolen data to the hospital right away, delivering it straight into Brandon Lewis’s hands.

Brandon immediately pulled his medical team together to dig into the virus components, looking for a treatment plan. At the same time, they began early-stage vaccine work—just in case.Since Emily was still in the hospital, Brandon brought the data to her room, planning to go through it while she was asleep.

Just as he opened the door, Emily was getting out of bed to head to the bathroom.

"Why are you out of bed on your own? Where’s the nurse?" he asked, stepping in.

"She went to get some hot water," Emily answered with a slight grin. "Why are you here? Weren’t you busy?"

Brandon walked over and helped her toward the bathroom. "Missed you. Thought I’d come check on you."

Emily’s cheeks turned pink as she smiled, a little shy.

"I can manage on my own, really."

"Alright, I’ll wait outside."

After using the bathroom, Emily caught her own reflection in the mirror and smiled without realizing it.

Ever since they became a couple, Brandon had stayed by her side.

It all still felt like a dream—one she never wanted to wake up from.

"Emily, are you done?" came his voice.

"Yeah," she said, opening the door to find him still there, waiting patiently. "Sorry to keep you."

"No big deal. I just worry about you. Besides, I’d wait for you forever if I had to."

Her eyes welled up a little. "You’re such a softie. Moved so easily?"

He ruffled her hair gently, then helped her back to the bed and tucked her in.

She turned to look at him. "What’s that?"

The nurse returned just then.

Brandon smiled and said, "I’ll stay tonight. You can get some rest."

The nurse nodded with a smile. "Dr. Lewis, you’re really sweet. Dr. Gates is lucky. I’ll leave you two alone then. I’ll be back early tomorrow."

Once the nurse was gone, Brandon handed Emily the data file. "This has all the info on the zombie experiments. They’ve been working on it for three years. There are still a bunch of issues with the test subjects. If we’d found out later, they might’ve pulled it off."

Emily looked over the pages. "Hmm? Comparing these two sets, the group missing the protease data seems stronger. So, if we add more protease, we might be able to weaken the subjects?"

Brandon’s eyes lit up as he grabbed the sheet. She had nailed it.

He put the papers down, cupped her face in both hands, and gave her a firm kiss. "Emily, you’re seriously brilliant."

Her face turned even redder. "Hey! That was out of the blue—you startled me!"

Brandon pulled her into his arms. "When you get better, let’s get married. A kiss is just the beginning—better get used to it."

Just the thought of kissing him more made Emily flustered. "Back then, you were never into girls. We all thought you might swing the other way."

Brandon lifted her chin. "Do you still think that?"

Emily looked up at him, blinking. "Brandon, are you with me just out of gratitude? If you ever meet someone who truly moves your heart, I’ll let go."

He chuckled. "Fair enough. The day I do, I’ll walk away."

Her nose tingled, and her voice caught. "Alright."

Brandon stared at her lowered lashes, gently tracing her lips with his thumb. "Thing is, once I fall, it’s for life. So, you’re stuck with me."

Emily looked into his dark eyes and saw her own teary, fragile reflection. She murmured, "So that’s how you see me, huh?"

He wrapped her tightly in his arms. "Not just see you that way—feel it in here too."