Chapter 72
72 In the Shadows
72 In the Shadows
Only now did Alice clearly see the man’s face.
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It was none other than Julius Fern, the same high–profile figure who’d been all over the news recently.
He was rumored to be training the country’s elite black ops unit. This man never showed himself unless it’s absolutely necessary.
And this time, he’d come to the Mapleford not for duty but for treatment.
But now, his body was completely paralyzed, stiff like wood.
The hospital could only give the same vague response to continue medication and observe.
Even when transferred to another hospital, all they offered were new prescriptions–and more medicine.
Alice took a slow step forward.
Julius lay in bed, frail and ghost–pale, barely breathing.
His eyes were glassy, his gaze unfocused. He tried to speak, but his lips moved without sound. He simply didn’t have the strength.
Alice sighed softly. His condition was critical–without intervention, he might only have a month or two left.
She moved to sit beside him and took his pulse with great care.
She had always held a deep respect for national heroes like him, so she treated him with full focus and sincerity.
After a moment, she pulled out a needle and inserted it right into the center of his brow.
Her technique was swift, precise, and effortless. It was the kind of skill that left onlookers in
awe .
Almost immediately after the needle therapy, Julius’s condition stabilized.
She stood up, wrote down a prescription, and handed it off to Jack outside the room.
Soon after, someone brought in freshly prepared herbal medicine.
Alice helped him sit up and coaxed him to drink. When he resisted , she pressed a pressure
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72 In the Shadows
point and forced him to swallow.
Once he was done, she even handed him a lemon drop as a reward.
Julius stared blankly.
Was she treating him like a toddler?
He sighed with quiet resignation.
“You actually know how to treat people?”
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Alice, resting on a nearby stool, glanced over and replied coolly, “Not bad. You’re recovering well. You could probably get out of bed now.”
Julius felt a bit embarrassed.
He used to be sharp and commanding, a man whose word was law. Now, here he was, being coaxed like a child.
He couldn’t deny he was a little red in the face.
Then, in a low voice, he asked, “What’s your name?”
Something about her felt familiar. Like someone he used to know.
“Alice,” she answered, then added firmly, “You need to stay completely still for the next three months. Strict rest.”
Julius looked troubled. “Three months?”
“That’s right. If you don’t listen, what happens to your life isn’t my problem,” she said without a trace of softness.
-Julius studied her face. A strange light flickered in his eyes.
She really reminded him of that person.
His tone softened. “Kid, you know, I’m not as free as you think I am.”
Alice gave him a sideways look. “And don’t call me ‘kid.“”
Out in the world, people either called her Ms. Spencer or Mrs. Nolan. She liked that. It
sounded cool.
This felt more like being scolded by her mentor.
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72 In the Shadows.
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She wasn’t a fan.
Julius chuckled again.
“That temper of yours.”
Just like her.
He didn’t say it out loud.
Alice narrowed her eyes. “You’re acting strange.”
Julius kept his expression neutral. “What? Is it a relapse?”
“No.”
She frowned. “Can you not look at other people through me?”
Julius’s expression shifted slightly.
He’d underestimated her.
“Alright. Take your meds, eat well, rest up. You’ll be strong again soon.”
With that, she turned on her heel and left the room.
Outside, Jack and Eric were waiting anxiously.
She’d been inside for over three hours, and both men were tense.
Jack even had cold sweat soaking through the back of his shirt.
The moment she stepped out, he finally let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
“Well?” he asked quickly.
Alice rubbed her temples. “Go see for yourself.”
From her tone, he could guess the patient had improved. Excited, he rushed inside.
“Mr. Fern, you’re really okay?!
His shocked voice echoed from the room a second later.
Alice rubbed her ears and then glanced at the man in the wheelchair beside her.
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72 In the Shadows
But Eric didn’t move. He raised his hand to block her.
Alice blinked.
Seriously? Eric had after–work grumpiness now?
But before she could say anything else, more than a dozen men appeared from around the corner–bodyguards, clearly, but not ones she recognized.
They radiated hostility, keeping their eyes locked on her and Eric.
Definitely not Jack’s people.
Alice sighed. “I already did my part saving someone, and now I have to clean up their mess, too?”
Eric turned to Daniel. “Think you can handle them?”
Daniel quickly scanned the group, counting heads and estimating their strength.
“Mr. Nolan, is it okay if I break stuff here?”
Alice scoffed. “If anything gets damaged, Dr. Murphy can foot the bill.”
Daniel lit up.
“Perfect!”