Seeing Leon, Claire, and Alyssa gathered around Friday, attempting to communicate with this non-human entity, Lear nodded slightly before following Ada to a secluded corner of the Main Hall.
Ada led Lear to the corner of the Main Hall and spoke bluntly.
"Officer Lear, you've suspected for a long time that I'm a mercenary, haven't you?"
Lear remained silent. It was more than a suspicion, really—he already knew Ada was a mercenary, and he knew she was working with Wesker. What he couldn't understand was why she had suddenly decided to tell him the truth.
Seeing Lear show no reaction, Ada maintained her calm expression and continued:
"I want to obtain samples of the G-Virus, and if possible, the T-Virus as well. According to my information, your friend happens to have samples of the T-Virus, right, Officer Lear?" With that, Ada smiled at Lear.
Her tone was gentle and mild, yet the content of her words sent a chill through Lear's heart. Dr. Bard indeed carried a medical cooler containing six doses of the T-Virus and antidote.
The problem was, their decision to rescue Dr. Bard had been made impulsively. Those aware of the plan were only Mikhail, Jill, Sherry, Brad, and Carlos's squad.
Lear trusted Jill and Sherry completely; Brad couldn't contact the outside world. Could it be that Mikhail or Carlos's team had been infiltrated by Wesker's spies?
Ada seemed to have read Lear's suspicions. Her smile unchanged, she continued smilingly.
"Alright then, Officer Lear, I will first show you my sincerity." She took out a satellite phone and handed it to Lear.
Lear examined the phone and found it almost indistinguishable from Nicholai's.
Without waiting for Lear to ask, Ada proactively explained: "I can tell you clearly—there are no spies among you."
Then, glancing subtly at Lear's expression, she added: "As for why I know about this matter, you can only blame your own carelessness. Using anyone's phone so freely? Nicholai's satellite phone had logs. You called out from it, and specifically from the hospital. And Nicholai and I share the same employer."
After hearing Ada's explanation, Lear's tense heart eased slightly. He lifted his gaze and quietly looked at Ada, asking solemnly: "So, Miss Ada, what exactly do you want to say?"
"I want to make a deal with you," Ada said calmly. "Nicholai's account is missing two million dollars. I suspect he intended to use that money to buy his own life, unfortunately he failed to achieve it. Officer Lear, are you short on money? I can offer a higher price—money, or assistance from the person behind me on certain matters. All for just one virus sample."
"Hah, Miss Ada, money and power are good things, but not the best things. You've seen how dangerous the T-Virus is. Do you think I would sell it to you?" Although Lear laughed, there was no trace of a smile on his face.
Seeing Lear's firm refusal, Ada didn't get angry. Instead, she shook her head with a smile. "Officer Lear, you're not like that foolish young man, a pure idealist. You also clearly understand that whether you sell the T-Virus to me or not, this thing will not disappear from the world."
As she spoke, Ada walked past Lear and approached the Honor Wall in the Main Hall. Her gaze fell on the photos of honored officers hanging on the wall.
"I can guess that you want that money, not for yourself. Think carefully: since the T-Virus will ultimately flow into the outside world anyway, why not secure some benefit for yourself? Even if you refuse, someone else will do it. You don't need to carry guilt over this."
Lear watched Ada's back, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed—a laugh full of mockery. "Ha ha ha, Miss Ada, you say that without me, others would still spread the T-Virus. But have you considered: if I don't do it, there will be one less avenue for T-Virus dissemination."
Here, Lear stopped laughing and looked coldly at Ada. "You tell me I shouldn't feel guilty. But look at Raccoon City now, look at those walking dead on the streets. They were all living people, with their own lives! If I hand the T-Virus to you, whenever another similar disaster occurs in this world hereafter, I will inevitably wonder if it was caused by my own hand. I would never live peacefully."
After saying this, Lear stopped looking at Ada, turned, and walked toward Leon and the others, leaving Ada with a resolute back.
Watching Lear's receding figure, Ada's expression was complex, yet she seemed to relax a little. Then she took out her phone and dialed a number.
"He refused."
A low, middle-aged male voice came from the other end: "Is that so? It doesn't matter. The existing samples are already sufficient."
"Simmons, I don't understand. Why do you still want to buy the T-Virus from him? Do you lack that thing?"
"You don't need to understand. I pay your fee; you do your job well."
Then the call was hung up. Ada looked at the phone, a faint, barely perceptible mockery flashing in her eyes.
Then she looked at the other people in the hall, her expression darkening slightly, murmuring softly, "I hope you can maintain your original intention, unlike me..."
After whispering, Ada quickly restrained all emotions, her face returning to its usual calmness. She strode back to the center of the hall.
Lear glanced at Ada approaching but didn't say much. He also didn't harbor any prejudice against her due to the earlier conversation.
At this moment, Ada was merely a spy and mercenary serving her employer, acting only based on interest and mission. True change for her would only come during the events of Resident Evil 4, after she and Leon experienced life and death, confided in each other. By then, Ada would truly stand on the side of justice.
As for now, she was merely a mercenary who retained a sliver of a bottom line. However, regarding Ada's claim that there was no mole around him, Lear couldn't fully believe it. He could only keep this matter hidden in his heart, planning to investigate slowly later.
"Senior, what were you talking about earlier? I saw you suddenly laughing."
Seeing Lear and Ada return to the group, Leon asked full of doubt, his eyes carrying some curiosity.
Lear smiled faintly, covering it calmly: "Nothing much. Just discussing the follow-up action plan with Miss Ada. Have you finished talking with Friday here?"
Ada had already guessed Lear wouldn't expose their earlier transaction dialogue. In her view, Lear was never that pedantic and stubborn moralist. But hearing him help her smooth things over firsthand, she unconsciously felt relieved in her heart, following Lear's words, echoing softly a few times.
Leon still had doubts, but seeing both unwilling to elaborate, he didn't press further.
At this moment Claire walked over, excitedly saying to Lear: "Officer Lear, Friday is really amazing! It feels just like a human to me!"
Right after she spoke, Friday hopped over to the group. The harmless enthusiasm and friendliness from Lear's companions had dispelled this B.O.W.'s vigilance—it originally believed everyone besides Lear was a bad person. Now, it radiated obvious happiness all around.
(Translated by yourtl.app)