Ruby sighed. "Perhaps… And if Mr. Wade intends to stay indefinitely, he would be worried that we might die or return to the Qing Eliminating Society."

"I would rather die than go back." Penny said staunchly, but soon groaned, "But I guess Mr. Wade isn't buying that."

Ruby smiled faintly. "I'm not going back either, but Mr. Wade's concerns are valid. The closer a person is to death, the stronger the instinct to survive, and it will trump even common sense."

Penny shook her head. "That still de