Chapter 265
“This afternoon, there’s a naval drill,” Rylie explained. “I want to join as a medic to better understand the ship’s medical system and see if it can be improved.”
A few female soldiers exchanged glances, watching her with thinly veiled disdain. “Does she actually think she can join a military drill? Unless her father is the Navy’s Commander-in-Chief!”
Rory listened to Rylie’s request before turning toward the elderly man across the chessboard. “Isn’t your son part of the Navy Medical Corps? Dr. Owen wants to join the drill on the ship this afternoon. Can you arrange a pass for her?”
The old man looked surprised. “Why would Dr. Owen want to go there?”
“She wants to see if she can help improve the ship’s medical system. This is an opportunity worth taking. In all her medical work, I’ve never known her to make a mistake.”
The older men around them perked up at his words. Coming from families with generations in the military, they understood how improving the medical system meant safer conditions for their children and grandchildren. “I’ll call my daughter. She can handle it.”
“Let me make the call. Those folks need all the help they can get.”
After Rylie ended the call, Hattie gently tugged at her sleeve. “Miss Owen, please don’t be upset. Our medical team’s rules are strict. Why don’t I take you out for now? We can ask Mr. Morgan about getting permission to use the emergency system and come back after the drill.”
“Yeah, just go already. Stop wasting our time,” a female soldier said impatiently, pushing the medical cabin door open.
Candice added, her voice calm, “The drill is about to start. You’ll just get in the way if you stay. It’s better to leave.”
“Alright,” Rylie said softly, turning to walk out.
As she left, the soldiers exchanged looks of quiet disdain.
Suddenly, Candice’s phone rang with a top-level order from the medical fleet.
“The commander has issued an instruction. For this drill, a temporary medical soldier has been added to the roster — Rylie. She’s on your ship, isn’t she? Make sure she takes part in the drill and submits a full report on the ship’s medical system.”
Candice froze. “Isn’t the medical drill report usually written by me?”
“You’ll write yours, and she’ll submit hers. Any problems with that? If not, carry it out.”
“Understood,” Candice said reluctantly.
She hung up the phone and turned to the soldier beside her, her expression tense. “Bring Rylie back. She’s to participate in this drill as a medical soldier.”
The soldier’s eyes widened. “What? Is this an order from Mr. Morgan?”
“No, just go,” Candice replied, her tone low.
“What kind of background does this girl have?” the soldier muttered as she hurried off.
Hattie was leading Rylie off the ship when a medical soldier came running after them. “Hattie, wait! Wait!”
They both stopped. The soldier caught up, breathing hard. “Miss Owen, the highest command has approved your participation in the drill and ordered you to submit a report. Please come back with me.”
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