Chapter 15 — Napping Without a Blindfold, I Discovered My Company Was Stealing Memories

A crisp sound rang out. The tablet fell to the floor. Then slide straight towards the data column where we're hiding. It stopped right next to my feet. The whole room immediately fell into dead silence. Dr. Vuong. And the young assistant. At the same time, look straight towards where we are hiding. The assistant's face immediately turned pale. There wasn't a drop of blood left. As for Dr. Vuong's eyes... Cold as two surgical blades. Through the air. Exactly fell on us.
Tren mat ong ta khong he co ve kinh ngac. Not angry at all. Just a cold, appraising look. Giong nhu mot nha nghien cuu vua phat hien so lieu thi nghiem xuat hien sai lech.
"Come out here."
His voice was very calm. Giong nhu dang moi hai vi khach den muon. Ly Van and I looked at each other. In the eyes of the opponent. I just see despair. We have been discovered. Continuing to hide is no longer meaningful. Hai nguoi cham rai buoc ra sau cot du lieu. Right now. Toi lai khong con cam thay so hai nua.
There's just a giant sense of absurdity. Like two lambs lost in the slaughterhouse. Standing in front of the butcher holding a knife.
"Employee number 27."
"Truong Thanh."
Dr. Vuong looked at me. Correctly called out my name. Then his eyes turned to Ly Van.
"Employee number 12."
"Both of them are extremely outstanding examples of our contributions."
He gently pushed his golden glasses. He even smiled like a scholar.
"The emotional intensity in your memories is very high."
"The details are complete."
"It's the model we love the most."
Listen to those words. I just feel nauseous. Like a person praising two well-bred animals.
"How did you guys get in here?"
he asked. The tone carried a bit of genuine curiosity.
"Luu Phuong always does security work very well."
Ly Van and I did not answer. Just stare at him. As if wanting to use his eyes to burn through that mask of dignity.
"Ah... I see."
Dr. Vuong found the answer himself.
"You guys copied her access card."
"Very smart."
"Really very smart."
He nodded. As if praising his student.
"Having that kind of curiosity and ability to take action."
"No wonder the quality of your memories is so high."
"Thinking activity is stronger."
"The more vivid the memory data created."
The young assistant had completely regained his composure. He quietly pressed a small button on his wrist. That's the signal to call security. We don't have any more time. Ly Van rushed up. Like a cornered cheetah. She rushed towards the giant touch screen. The goal is very clear. Destroy the database that stores all of our lives. But she only ran two steps. Dr. Vuong is even faster. So fast that I couldn't believe it. I don't even
see clearly how he moved. Only saw a white shadow passing before my eyes. The very next second. Ly Van's arms were twisted behind his back. The whole person was pressed tightly to the ground. Dr. Vuong's power is so great that it is scary. Completely unlike a scholar over fifty years old with elegant appearance. Ly Van's face was pressed against the cold floor. Not even a scream could come out. Dr. Vuong grabbed her by the neck. Lift it up like a baby chicken.
"Don't do anything stupid."
He looked at Ly Van who was being controlled. Then looked at me again.
"What you see…"
"One of mankind's greatest masterpieces."
"We are creating the purest emotional experience this world has to offer."
"And you girls…"
"Fortunate to become the foundation of that great career."
In his eyes flashed a light of fanaticism and pathological stubbornness.
"You should not protest."
"You should feel honored."
Right at that moment. Two security guards wearing black uniforms rushed in from outside the door. In his hand he held an electric baton. Not a single superfluous word. Neat and decisive movements. Ly Van and I were immediately controlled. I don't protest. Because I know. Before absolute power. Any resistance is meaningless. Dr. Vuong let go of Ly Van. Then, he adjusted his white blouse, which had no wrinkles at all.
"Take them to the purification room."
He nonchalantly ordered. It's like handing over two packages.
"Their minds now contain too many things that should not exist."
"It's time for a thorough cleanup."