Knowing Zaylee’s place as Brad’s girlfriend, Beatrice softened immediately. “Of course, of course, Zaylee.” She flashed a syrupy smile before nudging Connie. “Hurry, thank your lifesaver. Zaylee has been by your side every single moment since you were admitted. She truly cares about you.”

“Thank you, Zaylee,” Connie said, her smile tight.

By her side every moment? Not to care for her health, but to make sure she didn’t speak the truth after waking up.

Beatrice clasped Zaylee’s hand, her tone laced with subtle suggestion. “Not only for Connie, but about the commercial district too. We’ll count on you to put in a good word with Mr. Morgan.”

Although she didn’t fully believe Rylie’s threats, Beatrice still wanted reassurance from Zaylee — her daughter had promised their shop would make the cut for ‘Nexus Future.’

Zaylee’s smile remained smooth. “I understand.”

When Connie and her relatives finally left, a few classmates approached, their voices low and tense. “Framing Rylie was a big gamble for all of us. We trusted you to get our families in. You’d better keep your word. If not — we’ll tell the truth.”

Zaylee’s lips tightened. “Of course.”

After leaving Rylie, Brad had been tied up dealing with the brown bear incident. He ordered a total media blackout, and with Connie’s family agreeing not to press charges, the matter was dropped.

On behalf of Army Commander-in-Chief Rowell, Brad disciplined the soldiers who had neglected their posts and ignored Rylie’s warnings in the surveillance room. He also accessed city cameras to track a suspicious truck.

They eventually located it at the bottom of a cliff, submerged in a lake. After retrieving it, the only useful item found inside was a sealed bag containing small pills. Were they drugs? Or medicine?

Brad had initially planned to hand the pills over to the military’s medical team for research. However, he ultimately decided to send them to Aetheris Pharmacy instead, signing a confidentiality agreement with their pharmacists. He instructed them to examine the substance in secret to determine its true nature.

From the Ronan case to the recent brown bear attack, it was becoming increasingly clear that someone had been targeting Brad, working to bring him down. Because of that, he had not been sleeping properly for days.

As Brock drove him home, he spoke up. “I think Rowell’s behind this. He’s been in contact with our former deputy, vouching for him repeatedly. The people on duty in the surveillance room this time were his. Rowell looks very suspicious.”

Brad rubbed his temples, weariness clouding his eyes. “But Rowell and I don’t have any major conflicts. He handles land operations. I command the sea.”

Brock pressed on. “But you did cross him when it came to his daughter. Candice resigned only a few days ago. Wasn’t it because you made her stick to her own words?”

“So, he’d try to kill me over her reputation?” Brad leaned back in his seat, disbelief lacing his tone. “That’s ridiculous.”

After a pause, Brock gave a small nod — it did sound far-fetched. He pulled the car up to the old mansion and shut off the engine. Still, he hesitated before saying, “But Rowell’s known for his extreme views. He’s part of the hardline camp. You and the President are conservatives. Look at the oil field disputes. Most were pushing for war in the recent meetings.”

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