Chapter 289

Asclepius is here?
The second the assistant spoke, everyone in the lounge sat up straighter, eyes glued to the door. The whole room had been buzzing, but now it felt like the air tightened, anticipation rolling in heavy waves.
Asclepius was a legend in forensic circles, the kind of expert who had solved impossible cases and made breakthroughs that everyone talked about. But she was also a mystery. Except for a few veteran professors, nobody had actually seen her face. Getting the chance to meet her in person felt like winning the forensic lottery- a chance that might never come again.
Roger looked up, curiosity sparking in his eyes as he glanced toward the entrance.
A tall, slender figure stepped into the room, moving with an easy, almost lazy confidence. She was in pale blue scrubs, a cap on her head, a mask covering most of her face. Only her eyes were visible, and they were stunning-sharp, cold, impossible to look away from.
You couldn’t see her full face, but just from her posture, the way she walked, everyone could tell right away… she was young.
Wait, the prodigy professor who had shaken up the whole field years ago was actually a young woman? Roger’s mind went blank for a second. He’d always pictured Asclepius as someone in her forties, maybe even older.
Charlotte stopped, her gaze sweeping over the group of forensics experts who were all openly staring at her. Her voice was as cool and crisp as her eyes. “Where’s the body?”
Her words seemed to shock everyone again.
“She sounds amazing. No way she’s over thirty,” one guy whispered, barely able to hide his excitement. “And she’s got to be gorgeous under that mask.”
“Thirty? Are you kidding?” his colleague grinned, awe in his voice. “She doesn’t even sound twenty.”
“That young? Come on, there’s no way. That makes no sense.”
Roger had already been enough of a phenomenon in the field, but Asclepius being even younger? And even more of a legend? It was almost too wild to believe.
“She’s on a whole different level than Roger, honestly.”
“In the autopsy room,” someone finally answered, stepping forward with respect. “I’ll fill you in on the details in a moment.”
Charlotte nodded, her eyes flicking away. “Only one person comes with me. Everyone else stays out.”
The examiners, all hoping to see her famous skills up close, instantly froze.
“Understood.” The old professor waved the rest toward the
observation room. Watching on the big screen was better than nothing,
but it would
ver compare to being
in the operating room with her.”
“Oh, and one more thing.” The professor turned to Roger, suddenly very serious. “Asclepius, this doctor will assist you today.”
Charlotte glanced at Roger, her eyes lingering for a beat, something unreadable in her expression.
“This doctor is one of the most
talented forensic examiners in the
world right now. Top of his class, incredible skills. He won’t slow you down promise the professor said, dabbing sweat from his forehead.
He remembered what the
association had told him. Years ago, someone sent to help Asclepius had accidentally damaged a corpse’s kidney. She’d thrown them out of the autopsy room on the spot and never allowed an assistant since. Today was a rare exception.
“Right, this doctor’s name is-”
“The victim’s age, gender Charlotte cut him off, her voice flat, not a hint of
patience. “I need the full details.”
The professor fell silent, glancing awkwardly at Roger. The energy around Asclepius was almost overwhelming.