Jamison said, ‘We’ll have to go through a drug test.’Angelia’s face turned ashen.She had anticipated being exposed, but she didn’t expect it to happen so quickly.There was no time to frame Callie.To divert the focus, Angelia suggested, ‘Could it possibly be Whitney? She may have used the key to open the cabinet and traded the drugs with Shadowfire secretly. But after the deal, they might have killed her.’Callie was quick to dismiss this theory. ‘That’s unlikely. Whitney wouldn’t have done this, and no one has reported their keys missing. The person who stole these medications must be among us, doctors.’Angelia realised she was forced into a corner.She bit her lip, trying to change the topic. ‘Dr Hawthorne is right. If no one has any objections, let’s start in two hours.’Panicking, Angelia pondered her next steps.She knew the drug test would reveal her guilt and she couldn’t allow that to happen.Half an hour later, General Conway arrived at the infirmary to address the murder
Angelia walked back to the infirmary, her head held low.Jamison noticed her distress. ‘Angelia, you look pale.’‘I’m fine.’ She turned her gaze to the other eight doctors, clenched her fists, and announced in a loud voice, ‘The drug test had been called off.’Surprised murmurs rippled through the room.‘What? Why?’‘Because I’ve identified the culprit who stole the drugs and killed Whitney.’ Angelia took a deep breath. ‘It’s Callista Hawthorne.’Callie’s head snapped up.What?‘It’s not me!’ she protested, her voice firm, although she felt a growing sense of dread.Angelia couldn’t hide her satisfaction as she witnessed the other doctors’ reactions.The collective gasp of surprise was music to her ears.Even better, she saw two of the doctors turning their suspicious gaze towards Callie.In that moment, Angelia felt a sense of victory.Callie had always been the darling of everyone, cherished by Elias, Jamison, Dylan, and many others.But look at her now.Angelia relished the satisfa
Angelia freed herself from Jamison’s grip. ‘I’m not lying. I can only speak of what I’ve seen with my own eyes. If you want to save Callie, go ahead. But if you expect me to lie for her, I won’t. I won’t let the real culprit go free just because of you!’Jamison watched Angelia storm away.He didn’t want to believe Angelia, but she sounded so sure.Yet, it was impossible for him to accept that Callie would be capable of such cruel acts.What was he supposed to do?***As soon as Harriet got wind of Callie’s arrest, she bolted to Elias’s ward. ‘Elias!’‘Yeah?’ Elias, unaware of the chaos outside the ward, furrowed his brows when he saw Harriet rush in with a flushed face.‘General Conway accused Callie of drug dealing and murder. She’s been arrested!’ Harriet spoke between heavy breaths, having sprinted all the way to Elias’s ward.‘What?’ Elias’s mind went blank. ‘Harriet, what are you talking about?’‘I know it’s a lot to take in right now, but please listen.’ Harriet, noting Elias’s
‘Silly, why are you crying?’ Callie tried to smile. ‘It’s fine if Elias won’t help. His heart belongs to someone else now. I’m old news to him. But don’t you worry, I’ve still got friends. When Dylan comes back, I’m sure he won’t just sit by and watch me get court-martialled.’‘Are you and Major General Sheppard really dating?’Callie cleared her throat. ‘Of course.’‘I thought it was an act.’‘No, it’s for real. Don’t fret. Wait until Dylan returns, and I’ll be fine.’‘Callie, don’t lie to me!’‘Why would I lie? I’m dying to get out of here!’Though Callie spoke confidently, she had no idea what fate awaited her.Yet, she never doubted Elias.His refusal to help wasn’t a lack of love; there had to be reasons.She had to stay strong and wait for Elias’s plan to play out.As they spoke, a soldier, temporarily assigned to guard duty, came over. ‘Time’s up.’Reluctant to leave, Wendy lingered until Callie urged her to go.The guard led Callie back to her cell and shut the door, plunging
Jamison’s words struck Elias’s heart.He knew what Jamison meant, but he couldn’t save Callie, not in the way Jamison wanted.He couldn’t march into the holding cell and demand Callie’s release, as doing so would only endanger her further.However, he couldn’t tell Jamison these things.Not yet.‘Jamison, don’t take out your frustration on me. If you believe she’s innocent, go ahead and save her.’ Elias released Jamison. ‘As for me, I won’t go against military protocol and risk my career for a woman. General Conway is handling the case. I suggest you steer clear of it.’‘Elias, you coward!’‘You are asking for it.’ Elias clenched his fist tightly and punched Jamison in the face.Jamison staggered backwards.He wiped a drop of blood from the corner of his mouth, a mocking smile on his face. ‘You know how to fight, but you won’t stand up for your wife. Elias, you are a b*stard.’Jamison left the ward.If Elias refused to help Callie, he’d have to find someone else who would.***Carl sa
Carl saw how scheming Angelia was, and a glimmer of light flashed through his eyes. ‘That’s not a bad idea. But how do you propose we make her sick?’‘General Conway, don’t you forget, I am a doctor. I have a way to make her suffer from an acute illness. She’ll start showing symptoms within hours. However, I’ll have to trouble you to inject her with something.’‘Of course, that’s fine.’Slowly, Angelia picked herself up from the floor. ‘I just need to make a trip back to the pharmacy.’‘Go. Come find me when you’ve got what you need.’‘Yes, General.’Angelia left Carl’s office, still trembling.The pain in her neck reminded her that she barely escaped the grasp of death.She shuffled out of the headquarters and the feeling of emptiness in her body consumed her again.Now, she could no longer use the drugs as she pleased, as the ones she had on hand were almost finished.Angelia gasped and the blue veins on her forehead were bulging.Her face was extremely ashen.***In the ward, Elias
In the darkness, Callie examined the needle hole on her arm.In a desperate attempt, she squeezed her arm, allowing more blood to flow, staining her sleeve in the process.She continued squeezing and tried to rid as much of the substance from her body as possible.Minutes passed, then hours.Callie lay sprawled on the cot, her body wracked with pain.Hot and cold sensations alternated, and beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead.Gradually, she passed out.***In Carl’s office, a soldier reported the serum’s effects on Callie. ‘She’s running a high fever, but hasn’t asked the guards for help.’‘Stubborn,’ Carl remarked with a cold smile. ‘Let’s spread the news. If Elias truly cares about that girl, he’ll take action.’The soldier acknowledged the order and left.Carl contemplated the unfolding drama.Callie’s feelings for Elias, Dylan’s loyalty—everything hinged on the impending events.With Elias’s demise, Carl envisioned a victorious return to the capital, where his lifelong ambi
Elias stared at Angelia coldly. ‘Don’t make what happened to you seem like it’s all Callie’s fault. You are responsible for your own life. You made a choice. You chose to frame Callie. You chose to work with Carl Conway. And now that you are no longer useful to him, be prepared to face the consequences.’Angelia bit her lip and turned away. ‘What consequences?’‘That’s for you to find out.’ Elias shook his head. ‘It’s a pity. If you had come clean yesterday, I would have helped you get away from Conway. But now you’ve dug your own grave.’He turned around to leave.Panicking, Angelia grabbed his arm. ‘Could you…could you help me, please? I swear I’ll tell you everything.’‘Too late.’ Elias removed her hand. ‘I gave you a chance. You wasted it.’***Elias left the infirmary, heading to the command division.Instead of returning to his office, he headed directly to Carl’s.He knocked and pushed the door open, finding Carl seated behind his big desk.‘General Conway.’ Elias saluted.‘Gen