Chapter 118: Annette's Call (Patreon)

In that instant, Ivan would go from being a hero who defied tyranny and dared to expose the darkness, to a butcher everyone despised — the man blamed for personally causing the Raccoon City crisis.

Even though plenty of clear-headed people knew the truth was nothing like that.

But that wouldn't stand up against Umbrella's large-scale propaganda campaign and its relentless smear tactics.

If this went on long enough, even if the problem were eventually solved, he would still have lost everything, cleanly and completely.

Ivan, of course, wasn't foolish enough to do something like that.

"Don't worry. I won't give them that opportunity."

Seeing Ivan agree, Billy nodded.

He put a hand on Ivan's shoulder and spoke solemnly.

"Brother, whatever decision you make—"

"—I'll back you unconditionally."

"Just don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Thinking of his own past, Billy went on.

"If something can't be done, stepping back isn't always a bad choice."

Hearing this, Ivan's expression turned equally serious.

"With you saying that, I feel better."

Understanding that Ivan had gotten his meaning, Billy said nothing more. He went back to his desk,

leaving Ivan a space to think things through alone.

Ivan sat back in his office chair and pulled open the drawer.

He took out the badge that belonged uniquely to S.T.A.R.S.

He knew the weight of his responsibility.

S.T.A.R.S. had placed all its trust in him.

He carried too much on his shoulders...

And this operation, one misstep, could turn an otherwise favorable situation into a total loss.

So he had to be careful — more careful than ever.

Billy's words had given Ivan a new angle to consider.

He wondered if he'd grown too fixated on completely eliminating the time bomb Umbrella had planted in Raccoon City.

To the point where he was pushing forward with an operation whose risks so clearly outweighed its rewards.

Ivan decided the question deserved real thought.

He put the badge back in the drawer. Just then, the phone on his desk suddenly rang, shrill and insistent.

It drew every eye in the office.

Rebecca and Jill were distracted, their minds on what they planned to do that evening, so neither had caught the conversation between Ivan and Billy.

Daisy had vaguely overheard some of it, but she knew her own standing was too slight to be of much help to Ivan in a matter like this.

All she could do was bring him tea when he needed it, and take a few documents off his desk to lighten his approval load.

Makima had heard every word of the exchange between Billy and Ivan, without missing a single one.

She had no interest in this kind of thing herself, but if Ivan wanted to act on it, then she supposed she could find some interest in it too.

Lisa felt the same way Billy did — no matter what happened, she would stand by Ivan's side, unwavering.

Ivan picked up the receiver. A woman's voice came through from the other end.

"Hello, Mayor Ivan. I'm Annette Birkin. I imagine you've heard my name before."

Annette? William's wife? Sherry Birkin's mother?!

Ivan was caught rather off guard. What could Annette possibly want, contacting him at a time like this?

"Hello, Ms. Annette."

"Of course, your name rings loud in my ears too. The wife of William, director of the mother nest research institute, correct?"

"To be honest, I never expected to receive a call from you."

The voice on the line confirmed Ivan's words.

"You're exactly right. And I understand how you must feel — like two perfectly parallel lines that, at some moment, improbably intersect. Wouldn't you say?"

Ivan set his hand on the desk and replied, his tone even.

"Yes, that's a fine summary. But I don't imagine that's why you called me today."

On the other end of the line, Annette looked at the petri dish in front of her, the receiver tucked against her ear, and continued.

"Right. Actually, I was hoping you might look after my daughter for me."

"And as for your plans regarding the mother nest — could you hold off on that, for now?"

"We'd offer compensation to your satisfaction, Mayor Ivan."

Ivan refused her proposal without a moment's hesitation, the answer coming naturally.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Annette, but I can't agree to what you're asking."

"The mother nest has to be eliminated."

"It already threatens the lives and property of every citizen in Raccoon City."

Annette said nothing more. She hung up the phone directly.

Her probe had failed, and it had clearly drawn Ivan's displeasure...

There was no point continuing the conversation any further.

Agree to Annette's terms over the phone? Had he lost his mind?

Ivan would never do anything so stupid.

And as for Annette trying to play him for a fool — that, he was certainly going to refuse.

The rest of the day passed as normal.

At 5:20 PM on August 28th, only four people remained in the office: Rebecca, Makima, Ivan, and Lisa.

Just as Ivan was getting ready to head home, and Rebecca was about to put her plans into motion,

the phone on Ivan's desk rang again.

The office fell silent in an instant.

Ivan picked up. Brian's familiar voice came through.

Ivan answered him from time to time.

"Yes, Chief, understood."

"She's already here? All right, I'll head over now."

He hung up, gathered his things, and walked out of the office.

Seeing this, Rebecca came up in front of him.

"Ivan, is something urgent going on?"

Ivan gently ran a hand over Rebecca's head.

"Yeah. The Chief says Annette's arrived. I need to go meet with her."

"See what this woman's really up to."

"Sorry, our dinner might have to wait a bit."

Rebecca gave her head a considerate little shake.

"It's fine. Business first — go take care of it. We'll still have time when you get back."

Ivan smiled and gave Rebecca's small hand a gentle squeeze.

"All right. Wait for me."

Feeling the warmth of his palm, Rebecca leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Ivan's cheek.

"Mm. Good luck. I'll be waiting."

Watching the mark Rebecca left on the side of Ivan's face, Lisa pressed her lips together — how nice it would be, if that mark had been hers instead.

The moment the thought crossed her mind, a few Nemesis tendrils poked out through her skin.

But the instant Lisa's will shifted, they vanished again just as fast.

Makima stood with her arms crossed, watching the whole scene unfold with some interest.

So being kissed made Ivan happy?

No — his emotional response depended on who was doing it.

Still... she couldn't help wondering what would happen if she did something like that herself.

Remembering how Ivan had behaved in her arms the night before, Makima thought it would probably be quite entertaining.

"Makima, come with me."

Ivan wasn't entirely at ease leaving her behind in the office with Rebecca and the others.

After all, she was the Control Devil.

Called on so suddenly, Makima took small, quick steps over to his side.

After exchanging a few words with Rebecca and Lisa, the two of them left the office, one after the other.

Rebecca understood perfectly well why Ivan was acting this way.