Damian stared at Kendrick's phone for several seconds after reading the headline.
The words seemed to burn into his mind.
"Rare genetic classification."
His stomach twisted.
A cold heaviness settled low in his chest.
"That's not a rumor someone would invent randomly," he said quietly.
Kendrick slipped the phone back into his pocket.
"No."
The certainty in his voice made the situation feel even worse.
Damian looked up sharply.
"Then where did it come from?"
Kendrick didn't answer immediately.
Because the answer was obvious.
Victor Hale.
Victor never released information without a purpose.
Every rumor he spread was calculated.
Every whisper designed to trigger fear.
To make people panic.
To make them reveal things they were trying to hide.
And judging by Damian's expression, it was working.
Damian ran a hand through his hair.
His fingers trembled slightly.
"This is exactly what I was afraid of."
Kendrick watched him carefully.
"Explain."
Damian hesitated.
