Ch. 71..80
Chapter 71
Nathan responded calmly, “I’ll have to trouble you to take her home. She caused a huge scene at the military base last time, and now the researchers in the research department hold deep grudges against
her. I can’t handle it.”
Upon hearing this, Sally rushed over to him and huffed, “Nate, I don’t want to go home. I also want to watch the drills.”
Nathan’s attitude was firm as he commanded, “Go home with your uncle. Don’t let your grandparents worry.”
Having said that, he led Suzanne toward the heavily armed military
convoy.
Sally watched Suzanne and Nathan leave with the convoy in a grand procession, a look of discontent on her face.
She bit her lip and clenched her fists. Unknowingly, a fierce glint crossed her eyes.
Wendy awkwardly smiled. “Well, um… Sally, let’s take your uncle’s car
back.”
Ignoring Wendy, Sally forced out through gritted teeth, “Oliver, drive me to the military headquarters.”
However, Oliver’s attitude was extremely indifferent. “I have to work tomorrow; several surgeries were lined up for me. I’m busy so take a cab back.”
After that, he left with a gloomy face.
Wendy stood there, bewildered. Weren’t Sally and Oliver very close? Why did they suddenly become so cold toward each other, and why did Sally call her uncle by his name?
T
Oliver drove away by himself, while Sally took a cab to follow
Nathan’s convoy.
Left behind, Wendy stood there in a daze, unable to comprehend the
situation.
On the way to the frontiers, Suzanne sat in discomfort. Her eyes were fixed on the scenery outside the car window as she wondered where Nathan would drop her off.
Anywhere near a subway or bus station would be best, so that she could easily return to Morrison Residence.
However, when they traveled out of Phoenicia, Nathan still didn’t call for the car to stop.
Suzanne mustered the courage and turned to him. Nathan’s side
profile was sharp and his facial features were admittedly charming.
As he sat in an upright posture, his tall figure exuded a dignified air that caused him to appear formidable and unapproachable.
After gathering her courage, Suzanne cautiously asked, “Are you really taking me to the frontiers?”
Natha snapped out of his thoughts and turned to look at her. His tone was gentle when asking, “Do you want to go?”
Suzanne was rendered speechless by his silly question. They had already left Phoenicia, so how could she refuse now?
Although she didn’t like the frontiers, she wanted to be with Nathan. If The genuinely wanted her to go with him, then she was willing.
But the situation wasn’t what she had in mind. She only saw a competition of pride between Nathan and Oliver. Nathan hadn’t brought her along out of sincerity.
For a while, Suzanne remained silent before she said, “Nathan, I
23
suffer from amnesia. To me, Oliver is a stranger and there’s nothing between us. You don’t have to worry about being cheated on.””
Cheated on?
Nathan’s eyes darkened, and he fell silent.
“You and Oliver are not on good terms, right?” Suzanne speculated, feeling somewhat upset.
She looked away to avoid meeting Nathan’s eyes. “Is it necessary to disgust yourself by calling me
‘Suzy’ and making up lies to take me away, all just to spite him?”
Nathan smiled bitterly. He leaned back against the seat and asked in a clipped tone, “Why, are you worried about him?”
“I…” Suzanne was suddenly at a loss for words.
Nathan was the one she worried about. She didn’t want him to torment himself, saying things that he didn’t mean or doing things that went against his heart.
However, Suzanne’s words got stuck in her throat. She remained quiet for a long time.
Nathan turned his head and glanced at the rearview mirror, dra You don’t want to go, but someone is relentlessly chasing behi
Chapter 72
Chapter 72
Suzanne knew he was pointing out that Sally was chasing after them.
Thinking of the affectionate moments between Nathan and Sally at the military base, along with Nathan’s care and concern for Sally, extreme discomfort pierced her heart.
Suzanne lowered her head and chose not to say another word.
Nathan gazed at her melancholic profile, and his deep eyes became somber while his eyebrows slightly furrowed.
A sense of uneasiness lingered within him as he wondered if she was that unwilling to be with him, and whether she was thinking about
Oliver.
After a brief internal struggle, Nathan couldn’t bear seeing her distressed any longer. He asked at last, “Where would you like to get
off?”
Suzanne bit her lip and a wave of sadness surged in her as she realized that in the end, he was letting her get out of the car.
“Anywhere is fine,” she muttered.
In the front passenger seat, Cole hurriedly chimed in, “Madam, v on the highway; we can’t stop the car.”
Lucas, who was driving attentively, also couldn’t resist interjectin Madam, come with us to the military base for a few days. Many people there are fond of you, especially the researchers from the research department. They often ask about your next visit.”
Since her amnesia, Suzanne had only heard her grandmother expres fondness for her. Thus, when Lucas mentioned that many people a the base liked her, instantly brightened.
he
She leaned toward the driver’s seat with a smile, asking, “Really?”
Lucas replied affirmatively, “It’s true. Dr. Lawrence often mentions. you.”
Taking the chance to find her way out of this uncomfortable situation, Suzanne declared, “Then I’ll go see them!”
Lucas grinned at this. “Madam, this time, I’ll teach you self-defense seriously. I won’t play tricks on you like last time.”
Suzanne snorted. Now that she was in a good mood, a sweet smile appeared on her face as she teased, “So, you’re admitting that you intentionally messed with me last time?”
After interacting with Suzanne several times, Lucas found her to be gentle, generous, and tolerant. Hence, he laughed and said, “I apologize; it was my mistake. But I won’t do it again. Whatever you want to learn, I’ll do my best to teach you, madam.”
Suzanne sighed softly. “But I don’t have the strength.”
Lucas responded warmly, “Strength can be trained. First, eat more protein-”
Before Lucas could finish his words, a stern voice came fro
“Focus on driving.”
1.
Nathan’s tone carried a hint of anger. Lucas was startled and immediately straightened up, saying, “Yes, General Morrison.”
He sensed jealousy from Nathan and didn’t dare to continue c casually with Suzanne.
Meanwhile, Suzanne felt the relaxed atmosphere abruptly bec serious and oppressive.
Leaning back in the seat, she took out her phone and silently brow the Internet, sulking..
Suddenly, a gentle whisper sounded in her ear. “If you want to learn self-defense, I’ll teach you.”
Suzanne was taken aback. She looked toward the man beside her. Nathan’s side profile appeared serious as he sat upright, staring ahead without shifting his gaze.
But she hadn’t misheard; Nathan had indeed said those words to her.
Learning self-defense from Lucas was acceptable as she could focus on the training. Conversely, any physical contact with Nathan made her blush and her heart race.
There was no way for her to control her actions and awareness, and she didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of Nathan.
After a moment of contemplation, she tactfully declined his offer. “No need, I don’t want to learn.”
Nathan responded impassively, “Okay.”
He didn’t speak any further, closing his eyes to rest.
Subconsciously, his hand formed a fist, and his chest felt constricted -making it difficult to breathe.
The strange discomfort made his mood extremely unpleasant.
Chapter 73
Chapter 73
At the frontiers was the Norvanian military headquarters.
The convoy gradually entered the heavily fortified weapons production base, stopping in front of a luxurious skyscraper.
Suzanne had not been here before. After getting out of the vehicle, she followed Nathan into the building, taking the elevator directly to the top floor.
In the spacious conference room, dozens of individuals in various uniforms stood in a line and bowed as they greeted Nathan, “General
Morrison.”
Suzanne was surprised to see that among these men and women, some were in white lab coats, some in military combat uniforms, and others in technical research attire. Additionally, many of the rest wore
uniforms she couldn’t recognize.
Presumably, leaders from all the military departments were present.
Nathan, with his usual stern and cold demeanor, took his seat at t
head of the table.
Lucas ushered Suzanne to the lounge next to the conference roo and served her coffee. “Madam, General Morrison has an urgent meeting. Please rest here for a while.”
Suzanne nodded. “Alright.”
After Lucas left, Suzanne idly looked at her phone for some time.
But on second thought, she wondered why she was waiting here for Nathan. There was no point in doing so.
Therefore, while feeling hungry, Suzanne left the building. The
lingering sunset cast a somber hue over the surroundings.
As Suzanne felt somewhat weary and increasingly hungry, she began to wander around.
However, despite having been here once before, she got lost in the camp which was as large as a small town.
Unknowingly, Suzanne arrived at a small park with a basketball court. As she walked further, an uneasy feeling crept over her. The spring breeze carried a chilly sensation.
Suzanne took out her phone and searched for Nathan’s contact. However, considering that he was attending an important meeting, she dismissed the idea of giving him a call.
Just then, a strange rustling sound startled her. Suzanne turned around nervously. The sky had darkened by now, and she couldn’t make out anything in the dim surroundings except for the dense trees.
Sensing something amiss, she stopped moving forward and started to retrace her steps instead.
Suddenly, a shadow emerged from behind a large tree and lunged at
her.
Suzanne screamed in terror. She could barely see the assailant before she was forcefully pushed to the ground.
The assailant held her down and aimed a sharp dagger at her ches
“Help me!” Suzanne screamed for help, desperately struggling out of the assailant’s hold. When the dagger was about to stab her, she instinctively used her hands to stop it.
As she gripped the blade, it dug into her palms painfully.
However, the assailant was stronger, forcefully pressing down. Suzanne’s body shifted, and the dagger pierced into her chest.
Just as the assailant raised the dagger for another strike, a yell erupted, “Stop!”
Lucas sprinted over from a hundred yards away. The assailant looked up at the newcomer and swiftly retreated into the dense bushes.
Lying on the ground, Suzanne breathed heavily while tears blurred her vision. She stared up into the night sky, trembling with fear.
The throbbing pain in her palms and chest reminded her that she was still alive. Yet, having survived the attack, it felt as though her soul had left her body. The familiar fear of dying haunted her.
Lucas rushed over, lifting Suzanne and hurrying to the medical room. Anxious, his voice trembled as he blurted, “Madam, everything will be fine. Hold on, you must hold on.”
Suzanne slowly closed her eyes, feeling deeply moved. She silently thanked Lucas for saving her life.
In the field hospital, Suzanne received medical attention to stop the bleeding. After calming down from the incident, she lay on the bed, recalling the moments of the assailant’s attack.
At this moment, hurried and heavy footsteps echoed from the corridor. Following that, the door was slammed open.
Startled, Suzanne looked up to see Nathan rushing to her bedside. breathlessly.
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Chapter 74
Nathan’s face was exceptionally gloomy and his eyes were filled with distress. As he tried to catch his breath, his chest heaved unevenly.
Suzanne had never witnessed Nathan in such a panicked state and was momentarily stunned.
From the time Nathan entered the ward, he didn’t utter a word. –
Suzanne cleared her throat and spoke softly, “I have to thank Mr. Vega for his timely rescue, I’m fine now.”
Nathan remained silent, his rapid breathing showing no signs of calming down.
Suzanne felt extremely intimidated by his behavior. The gradually enveloping hostility that radiated from him sent shivers down her spine.
She proceeded to raise her injured hands and explained patiently, The assailant tried to stab my chest with a dagger. I had no choice but to use my hands to stop it, and the dagger veered off. The doctor said it’s just a flesh wound; it will heal soon.”
Looking at Suzanne’s hands that were wrapped in bandages, Natha slowly clenched his fists. The chilling sound of his knuckles crackin made one feel like he was on the verge of an outburst of rage.
Suzanne feared this side of Nathan.
Ironically, instead of being comforted when she needed him the most, she found her injured self consoling a furious Nathan.
Despite her efforts to coax him, he remained silent and continued to display terrifying anger. It was genuinely starting to frighten her.
Unable to hold back her tears any longer, Suzanne’s voice weakened as she murmured, “I didn’t mean to cause you trouble… I didn’t ask for this…”
Nathan couldn’t suppress the anger and fear within him. He sat at the edge of the bed, pulling Suzanne’s upper body into his arms, and held her tightly.
It was only when he felt Suzanne’s body warmth that his raging emotions eventually calmed down.
His sudden move took Suzanne by surprise, and her hands froze mid- air.
It was the first time Nathan held her so closely-as though he was trying to merge her body into his by sheer force.
Through the thin fabric of their clothes, Suzanne felt the softness of her chest pressed against his firm and solid chest.
Her wound throbbed with pain, but she endured it in silence while lost in confusion, unable to understand why he would act this way.
She wasn’t used to being so intimate with him.
After a while, Nathan’s low and remorseful voice sounded lightly her ear. “I’m sorry.”
Suzanne’s heart skipped a beat. The pain in her chest intensified. Sh whispered as she could no longer endure it, “Nathan, my wound hurts Can you let go of me?”
Nathan quickly released her, urgently scrutinizing her up and down His tone was anxious when he asked, “Where else are you hurt?”
Suzanne pointed to the side of her heart, and then Nathan reached to lift her shirt.
Alarmed, Suzanne raised her arm to block his touch. She instantly
shrank back, staring at him in shock “What are you doing?”
“Let me see your wound,” he said with a face full of concern.
Suzanne blushed at once, feeling nervous and embarrassed. “No. need to look. The doctor has already bandaged it. It’s just a flesh. wound, and it will heal quickly.”
Nathan pressed on. “Did it hurt your+”
Blushing furiously due to shyness and awkwardness, Suzanne hastily cut him off.
“No. The doctor said it won’t affect how my chest looks. With proper care, there won’t be any scarring.”
The injured area was too close to her breasts, which made her feel uncomfortable. Realizing this, Nathan didn’t insist on seeing her wound again.
He grumbled in a stern voice, “It’s not unusual to have spies in a camp with tens of thousands of soldiers. But whoever dares to
attempt the murder of my wife on my turf-I will hunt him down no matter what it takes.”
The way he said “my wife” stirred Suzanne’s already turbulent hea causing it to flutter.
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Chapter 75
After regaining his composure, Nathan realized that he had overreacted and responded excessively.
He stood up and cleared his throat. Then, Nathan asked solemnly,” Tell me, what do you remember about the person who did this? Was it a man or a woman?”
Suzanne thought seriously for a moment before shaking her head. He was dressed in all black, wearing a black hat and a black mask. I couldn’t see his face.”
Nathan continued, “What about his height and build?”
“He-”
Just then, an urgent voice interrupted Suzanne.
“Nate! Nate!”
Sally rushed into the ward, looking bewildered. “Nate, there you are! just arrived and the place is heavily guarded. Everyone’s busy investigating something. What’s going on?”
Suzanne lowered her head in annoyance, suddenly feeling at a
for words.
Then, Sally turned to Suzanne on the bed, widening her eyes with exaggerated expression of shock.
She asked sarcastically, “Oh my God, Suzanne! You’re injured? Wh happened? Why are you injured? Who did this to you? Does it hurt
While she was asking a series of concerned questions, there was hint of gloating in her tone.
Suzanne answered flatly, “I’m fine.”
Sally looked at Nathan, anxiously asking, “Nate, what’s going on?”
Indifferently, Nathan replied, “It’s still under investigation.”
Sally blinked, a puzzled look on her face. “Suzanne, did you offend
someone?”
At this point, Suzanne was utterly speechless. “Who could I have possibly offended?”
“Who knows? I heard from my uncle that before you started dating him, you had relationships with all sorts of men. You were bold and
arrogant back then and offended quite a few people.”
Sally’s words exasperated Suzanne, but she felt powerless and didn’t know how to retort-especially in front of Nathan. She was
overwhelmed with a sense of mortification and humiliation.
Sally added with increasing enthusiasm, “Maybe there’s an old flame of yours in the camp-someone you hurt before. They might be seeking revenge because they can’t stand seeing you happily married.”
Infuriated, Suzanne asked, “What makes you think so?”
Sally chuckled in return. “Why else would someone try to hurt you? definitely not an enemy of Nate’s because everyone knows he doe like you. His enemies wouldn’t target you.”
Suppressing her anger, Suzanne uttered slowly, “Ms. Hoffis, you’re good at making things up. You should write a book.”
“I” Sally wanted to say more, but Nathan’s face had grown sulle
He grabbed Sally’s wrist with force. His voice was low and hostile a he demanded, “Come with me.”
The strength in Nathan’s grip was intense, almost as if he wanted t crush her bones. The surge of anger in him was palpable.
Nevertheless, Sally feigned composure and smiled at Suzanne. “Rest well. Nate and I will-”
“L-Leave…” Before she could finish her sentence, she was rudely dragged out of the ward.
Suzanne slowly closed her eyes, burying her head under the blanket.
In the end, she couldn’t help but sob, her body trembling from the overwhelming emotions.
She could never escape her past, which was like a pillar of shame nailed into her life. It made her feel inferior-ashamed, filthy, and unworthy of Nathan.
An outstanding man like Nathan would never like her, so what was she expecting? What was she persisting for?
At the end of the corridor outside the ward, Nathan violently threw Sally against the wall.
Sally’s shoulder hurt from the impact, and she winced in pain.
Rubbing her sore wrist, she whined, “Nate, what’s wrong with you?
You hurt me.”
Nathan stood with his hands on his hips and took a deep breath was so frustrated that he needed a moment to collect his thoug
“Where did your manners go?”
Sally pretended to be confused. “What… What do you mean?”
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Chapter 76
Nathan’s face darkened as he seethed with anger.
“Revealing other people’s past scandals, digging into their
weaknesses, and mocking them to their face-Is that how you should
behave?”
“But I was just speculating that her attempted murder might be connected to her past relationships.”
Furious, Nathan berated her in an icy tone. “You could’ve just said so instead of giving a lengthy dissertation no one asked for.”
Sally pouted. “Nate, I know I was wrong. I didn’t mean it. I spoke. without thinking. Please don’t be angry.
Bullshit. It was clear she intentionally said all that to personally
attack Suzanne.
Nathan grabbed her arm, continuing to walk out of the field hospital while instructing, “I’ll have someone escort you home. Don’t com back again.”
Sally struggled to pull her hand away, saying, “Nate, I’m not leavi just got here, and I want to stay with you.”
“I don’t need your company.”
“Nate, let go of me. I’m not leaving!” Sally was rudely dragged aw her struggle was futile.
The next moment, Sally burst into tears, shocking the patrolling soldiers outside. Unable to break free, she angrily asked, “Nate, d you like Suzanne?”
Nathan paused in his tracks, his whole body freezing as if he had
been struck by lightning. His heart stilled with slight panic and
confusion.
Amid his absent-mindedness, Sally broke free from his grip. She took
a few steps back, wiped away her tears, and accused, “Nate, how could you do this to me?”
Nathan glared at Sally, impatiently asking, “What are you talking about?”
With teary eyes, Sally choked out her words, “Since childhood, we both had feelings for each other. We didn’t have to say anything, it was all tacit understanding. Although you never confessed your love to me, I’ve kept myself pure for you for 25 years-rejecting hundreds of good men.
“And you? Just because of Grandma, you forced yourself to marry al notorious woman. Now you’re telling me that you’ve fallen for her? She may appear innocent and lovely, gentle and intelligent, but it’s all part of her scheme!
“Nate, have you ever thought about how she lured her ex-boyfriends? They were all like you-deceived by her appearance and the vario pretenses she put on. My uncle was one of them. But realizing her flirtatious nature couldn’t be changed, he had to end his
relationship with her.”
Looking disgruntled, she said to him, “Wake up, Nate. Don’t be foo
Nathan felt a stabbing pain in his chest; he couldn’t bear to listen a longer. Feeling his anger rising, he gritted his teeth and asked, “A you done?”
Wiping away her tears, Sally continued speaking through sobs. “Nat why do you think I always attack Suzanne in such an uncouth manner? It’s all for you. This is the only way I can help, hoping yo won’t sink deeper into her lies.”
into!
She added, “I’m afraid that you’ll be deceived by her-financially, romantically, and emotionally. In the end, you’ll be the one hurt.”
Nathan didn’t understand why he was feeling so miserable at her words. A sense of helplessness overwhelmed him.
“I haven’t fallen for Suzanne, nor will I be enchanted by her. I certainly won’t be deceived either. Go back; don’t cause me any more trouble
here.”
Before he could stop her, Sally sneakily ran toward the dormitory building.
She yelled as she ran away, “I’ll immediately go and reflect on myself. I won’t step out of my room unless necessary, so as to not cause trouble for you!”
Nathan watched her fleeing back, feeling the onslaught of a splitting headache caused by extreme irritation.
How did the good girl he knew turn so malicious after ten years. abroad? Was there any hope left for her?.
Chapter 77
Chapter 77
The night hung quietly beneath the soft moonlight.
Outside the hospital, only the rustle of trees broke the silence. Nathan. entered the ward with quiet footsteps.
As Suzanne’s caregiver, Emily was about to greet him. Instead, he signaled her to stay silent with a wave of his hand. Catching the cue, she quietly made her way out of the ward.
Suzanne was peacefully sleeping on the hospital bed. Nathan settled into a nearby chair, keeping an eye on her while she slept.
Even without a hint of makeup, her face was flawless and lovely. Her features gave her an especially gentle and serene look when she was
asleep.
Suzanne had a resilient personality and a multitude of talents.
Nathan struggled to wrap his head around the idea that someone so gentle and innocent might be putting on a front.
He wasn’t sure if his powers of observation were failing him or if Suzanne was just exceptionally skilled at hiding her true self.
As the night wore on, Nathan stuck around in Suzanne’s ward fo several hours-only making his exit at around 4:00 am.
After the caregiver swapped out the next morning, Suzanne got so help freshening up and changing into fresh clothes.
They also brought her breakfast and made sure she was good to
with the new medication.
Whenever Suzanne found pockets of free time, she dove into readi
to kill the hours. Still, the nagging feeling lingered that Nathan hadn’t swung by since he walked out hand-in-hand with Sally.
She tried to act like it didn’t bother her, but deep down, the heaviness
of his absence was getting tougher to bear.
On the third night, Suzanne was jolted awake by a nightmare.
She was drenched in sweat, gasping for air. Her throat felt dry as a desert, so she reached for the bedside table. The second her fingers found a warm cup of coffee, she froze.
Suzanne’s stirring caught Emily’s attention, and she hurried over.”
Mrs. Morrison, you’re up? Do you need some water?”
“Whose coffee is this?” Suzanne sat up and stared at the cup.
“It’s General Morrison’s.”
Suzanne was shocked. “Nathan’s been here?”
“Mrs. Morrison, for the past three days while you’ve been warded, General Morrison’s been dropping by at around 11:00 pm every night.
He sticks around until almost dawn.
Suzanne was left completely stunned.
“General Morrison never seems to take a break when he swings b was worried he might feel tired, so I whipped up some hot coffe Emily casually mentioned.
Suzanne’s heart raced, and she took quick breaths. In a hurry, she lifted the blanket and asked, “Where is he?”
Emily pointed outside. “It’s almost 5:00 am. General Morrison just
took off.”
Suzanne quickly threw on her slippers and dashed outside. Emily hurried after her, holding a cardigan.
“Mrs. Morrison, please put on the cardigan. It’s chilly out there…”
During those three days since Suzanne got hurt, she assumed that Nathan couldn’t care less about her. She was surprised to learn that he had been visiting her every night.
Suzanne was touched. All she wanted was to see Nathan
immediately. She didn’t even know what to say and wasn’t sure if she was reading too much into it. Still, she wanted to meet him.
It was still before daybreak and the surroundings were shrouded in a blanket of mist.
Suzanne rushed out of the hospital, scanning the quiet street. The streetlights cast a muted glow, and a mild breeze blew past her. Still, Nathan’s figure was nowhere to be found.
Emily caught up and swiftly draped the cardigan over Suzanne’s shoulders. “Mrs. Morrison, it’s still dark, and the fog is thick. Be careful not to catch a cold.”
Suzanne’s eyes welled up with tears as she asked, “Emily, does he actually come to see me every night?”
“I’m on the night shift every day, and General Morrison never misse visit!” Emily affirmed with a nod.
Suzanne lowered her head and muttered, “Why doesn’t he come see me during the day? Why does he have to wait until I’m aslee
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Chapter 78
Emily tenderly stroked Suzanne’s back, playing the part of a comforting mother.
“Mrs. Morrison, don’t be too upset. General Morrison is busy with work. He’s been knee-deep in sorting out drill plans; and after what you’ve been through, the whole military base is on high alert.
“Everyone’s under scrutiny. He can’t break away from his duties. during the day, so he’s giving up his downtime just to be by your side. Trust me, General Morrison does care about you.”
Suzanne felt a little better hearing the reassurance. She snuggled into Emily’s embrace like a kid seeking comfort. “Do you really think he cares about someone like me?”
Emily continued to soothe her with gentle pats. “Mrs. Morrison, even though we’ve only known each other for a short time, I’m aware that you’re a great person. Why doubt yourself?”
It seemed like Suzanne had found someone to confide in. She held onto Emily’s shoulder and tearfully exclaimed, “Emily, I truly love hir What should I do?”
Emily grinned with a touch of fondness and sighed. “Aw, sweethea he’s your husband. It’s normal for you to love him! If you’re concerne about him pulling all-nighters just to be with you, why not speed u your recovery and head back to the dormitory? That way, General Morrison can finally get some well- deserved rest.”
“But my hand’s still healing. Going back to the dormitory would be a bit of a hassle,” Suzanne said, sniffling as she pulled away from Emily’s shoulder.
Emily’s eyes crinkled into a smile. Your hands look pretty good to
1. You’re eating and drinking just fine.”
“Yeah, but I have to keep my wound dry, and I can’t change the dressing on my own.” Suzanne looked a bit troubled.
“Oh, I thought it was a big deal.” Emily chuckled. “Bathing and changing the dressing only takes you about 15 minutes. I’m sure General Morrison can spare that time for you.”
Suzanne’s cheeks turned a shade of pink as she cast her eyes downward. The idea of asking him for help was just too much for her. She mumbled shyly, “He can’t.”
Emily looked surprised. “Huh? Why?”
Suzanne gently took Emily’s arm and led her back to the hospital.
As they walked, she spoke in a gentle tone, “Emily, I want to go back. Could you come over every night to help me with bathing and
changing the dressing? I’ll pay you extra.”
“But my salary is from General Morrison. It wouldn’t be right for me to ask for money,” Emily explained.
“Emily, does that mean you agree?”
“Mrs. Morrison, if you don’t want to trouble General Morrison, then only fair for me to take care of you.”
Suzanne couldn’t contain her joy. Her heart was already back w Nathan. “Thanks a bunch, Emily.”
At the crack of dawn, Suzanne packed her belongings with excitement. She quickly changed into her own clothes and heade back to the dormitory.
Outside the apartment building, Suzanne spotted a bunch of arme soldiers keeping watch at the gate.
Security was definitely on high alert. The soldiers recognized Suzanne, and with a polite salute, they allowed her to pass through.
Suzanne headed upstairs and reached the door. She took a deep
breath before gathering the courage to punch in the passcode and push the door open.
Once inside, she found Nathan in the midst of putting on a black
shirt. The buttons were still undone and her abrupt entrance caught him off guard.
Suzanne’s face flushed inexplicably, and she found herself
unintentionally staring at his chest.
Feeling a little awkward, she quickly lowered her head and turned around. Unsure of what else to do in this situation, she meekly closed the door behind her.
With her back turned to Nathan, Suzanne couldn’t shake the weight in her heart. She realized he had only taken a two-hour rest and was already preparing to head back to work.
As Nathan regained his senses, he continued buttoning up his shirt and eventually broke the silence. “Why are you back?”
“I’m fine now,” Suzanne responded, turning slowly to face Nathan.
Having only fastened two buttons, Nathan approached Suzanne a gently took her hand. “Has the wound scabbed over?”
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Chapter 79
As Nathan approached Suzanne, she felt his warmth and caught a whiff of his shampoo.
Her heart started to race, and she had the urge to pull her hand back.
Nathan held onto her hand, unwrapping the bandage to take a look at the wound. The stitches were still in place on her palm, and there was no sign of the wound scabbing over yet.
Nathan’s expression grew solemn.
Suzanne felt a twinge of guilt and thought about pulling her hand back, but Nathan gripped it even tighter.
He carefully rewrapped her wound and casually said, “This unscabbed wound needs to stay dry. I can help with bathing and changing the dressing. What do you say?”
Her cheeks burned, and she whispered, “I’ve asked Emily for help.”
“Just let me know if you need anything. Hold off on going out until w arrest the culprit. Just give me a heads up if you want to go somewhere, I’ll arrange for someone to protect you,” Nathan advis
A sweet warmth suffused Suzanne as she watched him wrapping t bandage. She wished the bandage was long enough to last forev
“Are you heading out?” Suzanne glanced up at him. The way he earnestly lowered his head to carefully bandage her had a magica
effect on her.
“Yeah, heading out soon.” Nathan’s voice was deep and warm.
“You’ve barely had two hours of sleep. Aren’t you tired?”
Nathan paused for a moment, only now grasping the reason she ha
so soon. He released her hand, turned around, and carried on
his shirt.
“I’m not that weak.”
“But you’re not some robot either. You need a bit more rest to recharge and keep going,” Suzanne insisted.
Nathan casually buttoned up his shirt and threw on a cardigan, effortlessly making Suzanne swoon as she watched him.
He walked over to the bedside table to grab his phone and watch. Then, he pulled a handgun from the drawer and secured it at his waist.
Suzanne stood at the center of the room, silently observing his every move. Once he was all set, he walked past her and gave her a gentle pat on the head.
“Get some rest. Call me if you need anything.”
With that, Nathan was out the door. A strange sense of emptiness crept into Suzanne’s heart. Nathan had barely stepped out, but she had already missed him.
Alan showed up at the office to collect his money for selling the bottle of hydronium.
Once Nathan put his signature on the paperwork, the finance department handed Alan a ten-million- dollar cheque.
Overwhelmed with joy, Alan looked at the cheque and mumbled, “My wife’s going to be okay.”
Nathan got up and walked over to Alan. “Dr. Howard, you’ve been part of Sunterland for ages. Your skills and knowledge are extensive. How about bringing that expertise to my military base?”
Alan stared at Nathan in shock and took a moment before saying, “I
I’m no spring chicken, and you think I can still work at Norvania’s top- tier armory?”
“I’ve always valued skill above everything else. Age, position, and where you’re from don’t matter to me,” Nathan replied firmly.
Alan took off his glasses and wiped away the tears welling up in his eyes. “General Morrison, I appreciate your trust. I won’t let you down. I’ll do my best to contribute to Norvania’s national defense.”
Nathan casually leaned against the desk with his hands in his pockets.
“One more thing.” Furrowing his brows, Nathan asked, “Why does hydronium evaporate when it meets the air?”
Alan sighed, put on his glasses, and spoke with a serious look.
“This substance is highly unstable. Nobody knows its principles and derivations except for Mila, so creating an ultimate weapon out of it is impossible.”
Chapter 80
Chapter 80
“I hope you and Dr. Lawrence from Norvania can collaborate and resolve this issue to maximize the potential of hydronium,” Nathan
said.
Alan replied earnestly. Though deep down, he wasn’t confident about
1.
At noon, Lucas walked into the cafeteria with a tray in hand.
Unsure about Suzanne’s food preferences, he decided to scoop a bit of everything. The tray ended up stacked high with various dishes that could easily feed a person for a couple of days.
As Lucas made his way out, he bumped into Nathan and Cole.
“General Morrison, good afternoon,” Lucas greeted.
Nathan gave a small nod in acknowledgment.
Cole eyed the assortment of food on Lucas’ tray and teased, “Hungr today? Do you think you can finish all of that?”
Lucas shrugged. “I had no clue about Mrs. Morrison’s food preferences, so I just grabbed a bit of everything. I didn’t realize there’d be this much variety, and the tray filled up faster than I expected.”
Cole chuckled. “Judging by Mrs. Morrison’s amazing figure, I bet she goes for light meals-veggies, fruits, and avoids the heavy stuff like carbs and meat.”
Lucas handed the tray over to Cole and quipped, “Looks like you’ve got the expertise. You’re in charge of delivering meals to Mrs.
Morrison from now on.”
Cofe smiled awkwardly. As he reached for the tray, a figure deftly swooped in and snatched it from between them. It turned out to be
Nathan.
“I’ll handle it,” Nathan stated calmly.
Both Cole and Lucas were left bewildered, refusing to believe their eyes. The idea of a busy general taking care of mundane tasks like serving meals seemed far-fetched. They didn’t want to risk losing their jobs.
“General Morrison, I-I got this,” Cole quickly said.
Lucas tentatively reached for the tray. “General Morrison, we were just messing around. I’m more than willing to handle Mrs. Morrison’s meals. I’ll make sure to get her preferences down quickly and take good care of her.”
Meanwhile, Nathan casually entered the cafeteria and grabbed a set of utensils. As he walked out, Lucas and Cole were still hanging around, looking lost.
Nathan paused and gestured toward the cafeteria. “Go ahead and grab your meal.”
With that, he headed toward the dormitory. Cole and Lucas stood frozen in place, watching Nathan casually depart.
Cole was completely confused. “Lucas, did General Morrison just head out to deliver the meal?”
Lucas nodded in surprise. “Yeah, I think so.”
Cole wondered aloud, “Why’s General Morrison being so considerate all of a sudden?”
“I think he wants to see Mrs. Morrison.”
“Is he into Mrs. Morrison?” Cole asked.
“Mrs. Morrison is pretty likable-lovely and easygoing,” Lucas replied.
“But what about his childhood sweetheart? Doesn’t he like her
anymore?”
Lucas suddenly felt repulsed and blurted out, “Seriously, who’d be into that annoying pest? She’s always talking in an artificially cute manner, playing the victim, crying at the drop of a hat, and is way too clingy. She just annoys me every time I see her.”
Cole nodded in agreement. “I get you. General Morrison would’ve tied the knot ages ago if he was into Sally. We wouldn’t have Mrs. Morrison now, right?”
Lucas draped his arm around Cole’s shoulder, ready to head into the
cafeteria.
“Come on, let’s eat. After chowing down, we have to continue
investigating the one targeting Mrs. Morrison, prep for the drill, and deal with various official matters…”
“Ah, right… Let’s dig in…”