Chapter 21
Chapter 21:
A laugh bubbled from Rylie. “No need to rush then. The serum you’re holding is a fake p>
The room shifted, every face changing. Vivian’s expression soured. “Rylie, my student put in the work for these results. On what basis do you claim the serum’s a forgery p>
Stacey didn’t miss a beat, her voice trembling with wounded pride. “Rylie, do you really want a repeat of what happened with Nicolas? You should be responsible for your words and actions p>
A nearby doctor, curiosity piqued, glanced over. “What’s this about Nicolas? Do you mean Mr. Nicolas Kirk, still in this hospital? What’s his connection to Rylie p>
In a gentle voice, Stacey answered, “Nicolas has never recovered. The serum Rylie created poisoned him p>
Leland’s resentment grew sharper at the mention. “Our parents will be back soon, Rylie. After what you did to Nicolas, the Kirk family will never take you back p>
Their accusations painted Rylie as a villain, and suspicion rippled through the crowd. Hospital administrators, remembering Rylie’s connection to Brad, tried to intervene, replying, “Mr. Morgan must have been misled. We should administer the serum to him right away p>
“Enough.” Rylie strode over to Stacey, snatched the box from her grasp, and removed the vial for all to see.
What she revealed was a bottle of serum so unnaturally violet that it looked toxic. Her lips curled in scorn. “And you call yourselves doctors? Don’t you realize that high-purity Nexo-7 is deadly if injected straight into the bloodstream?” The group was left speechless by this blunt challenge from such a young person.
Even Vivian faltered — she’d never known about this danger. Her anger flared. “If I’ve never heard of it, then it can’t possibly be true! You’re just making things up p>
Buoyed by Vivian’s support, Stacey chimed in, her confidence returning. “Rylie, stop acting like you’re some expert. You’re making it all up p>
Rylie retorted, unflinching, “Just because you’re ignorant doesn’t mean the facts change p>
𝕄ØЯE 𝕌PĐΛTΞŞ IИ GΛŁИØVΞŁŞ.ᑕØᗰ
Tempers were rising and voices sharpening when, at that very moment, the elevator doors slid open — and Brad entered, accompanied by a striking woman in a crisp white coat.
The moment Marsha appeared, a glimmer of hope flickered in Stacey’s eyes. She wasted no time adopting a fragile, wounded expression. “Marsha, thank goodness you’re here p>
Marsha made a show of lingering beside Brad, as if they shared a private understanding. Her voice was all gentle authority. “Is there a problem? Has the serum been prepared? We shouldn’t keep Mr. Morgan waiting much longer.” Brad’s eyes flickered toward Rylie, standing slightly apart, and it hit him how often she was isolated, targeted, and misunderstood despite her obvious brilliance.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, subtly placing himself in front of her — a protective gesture that spoke volumes.
“There’s something wrong with the serum,” Brad said, his tone flat and absolute. Rylie, startled by this open show of trust, felt a softness she hadn’t expected. She gave a small nod. “He’s right — the serum’s a counterfeit. I’ve never seen Nexo-7 that shade. It must be contaminated or switched p>