chapter1184

Cameron and Kylie just stared, completely floored.

"Wait... is this really from your grandfather?" Kylie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lydia nodded. Yeah. It's his barcode. That's his serial number." She leaned in, inspecting it a little closer. "Looks like he's the eleventh clone."

Kylie's knees went weak. She collapsed onto the edge of the bed, eyes wide with panic as she looked at Lydia. "Lydia, what is happening? If that's true, then..... where's your real grandpa?"

Cameron was just as shaken. "Yeah, Lydia, where did he go?"

Lydia held up her hands, trying to calm them down. She gave them the short

version, explaining everything she knew about the clones.

Kylie and Cameron could hardly wrap their heads around it.

"Who would dare to pull something like this? Replacing people in our country, right

under everyone's noses..... It's insane. Kylie's voice trembled.

The thought alone was terrifying. If this ever came out, none of them couldn't imagine the fallout.

Blake watched them, seeing how shocked and lost they looked. "Lydia didn't tell you sooner because she didn't want you stressing out. You're with him every day. She was worried he might pick up on something if you started acting weird."

Cameron nodded, still tense but determined. "It's hard to take in, but now that we know, there's no way we'll let him see anything's off."

Kylie agreed, her voice steady. "This is huge. We can't let him find out. We can't risk tipping anyone off."

Still, the idea of spending every day with someone who wasn't really who they thought..... Kylie felt like she needed to catch her breath. She had no idea how she'd get through breakfast with "Grandpa" tomorrow.

Lydia nodded. "I'll head back to school. If he mentions his neck hurting tomorrow, just ask if he slept funny. Don't let him get suspicious."

Clones were always on high alert.

Everyone agreed quietly.

...

The next morning, Lydia arrived at the lab to find Kevin already waiting for her.

"So, how's it going? Any leads these last couple of days?" he asked, concern in his eyes.

Lydia nodded. I think there are probably between eleven and fifteen clones in the country right now."

She was sure about Mr.

Norwood-he'd been replaced, and his code was eleven. That made him the eleventh clone. But there was no way to know if others had been Swapped out at the same time in other places or families.

Even just fifteen was a lot to take in.

Kevin's face twisted with anger. "It's disgusting. They can't beat us fair and square, so they pull these dirty tricks instead."

Lydia shrugged. "Power plays or secret schemes, it's always the winner who gets to write the story."

Kevin looked at her, a little in awe. "You know, we are lucky to have you." He got quiet for a second, then added, "With all this going on, maybe you shouldn't go to the International, Medical Competition in two weeks.

Sure, the competition was important, but the clone situation was urgent. This was bigger than any event-it was about the whole country's future.

But Lydia just shook her head. "It won't be a problem. The competition only takes

two days, and I'll go a day early to prep. Three days total. I'll manage."

Kevin sighed, not entirely convinced. "Alright, but I'm worried about your health. You're pushing yourself so hard."

"I'm taking my meds. I'm fine, really."

Kevin could only wonder why he couldn't find more students like Lydia. She was one

of a kind not just in their country, but probably in the world.

...

Saturday night arrived.

Brody Shaw was turning eighty.

Brody had spent his whole life working for the country. He'd always been frugal, never one for big celebrations. His birthdays used to be nothing more than a quiet meal with family. But this year was different. Eighty years old was a big milestone. He wanted to keep things simple, but his kids wouldn't have it. They insisted on throwing a big party. In the end, he just let them

have their way.