Chapter 415
416 Buried Truths and Surface Peace
Yunice felt a sense of calm settle over her. The waters were murky now–no longer clear , and that’s exactly what she wanted.
Pinning the blame on Paul wasn’t the point. Clearing herself was.
If Paul were actually caught, things might be dragged out, and she could get pulled in. That wasn’t acceptable.
She glanced at Tommy again. He knows something . She could feel it.
Once the special investigation team left, Owen called her over privately.
“Yunice, what really happened that day?” he asked, still shaken.
Yunice met his question with another. “Why did you cover for Paul?”
Owen hesitated. “Well… you didn’t say anything either.”
say
Yunice lifted an eyebrow. “How do you know I didn’t? ”
Owen froze. A flicker of panic crossed his face. Was the task force baiting him ?
Yunice chuckled inwardly. He really is just … average .
A man who’d never suffered, who had coasted through life–how could he possibly keep up with people who’d learned to lie just to survive?
As he stared at her, confused and anxious, Yunice leaned down and said softly, “It was Paul who injected you with the newest antigen. He told me to keep it secret.”
Owen blinked. “New… antigen?”
Yunice nodded. “Yes. Wellinges Pharma has been developing one specifically for this virus. Paul stole a sample and used you as the test subject.”
Owen’s expression darkened with disbelief. He struggled to process it.
Yunice let out a cold laugh. “Do you have any idea how much money this antigen could make if it works ? ”
Owen looked at her with something like awe– How does she know so much ?
Standing up, she went on, “This all started because of business competition between Powell Corporation and the Cooper family. You were just a test subject. Not because they wanted to
173
416 Buried Truths and Surface Peace
hurt you–but because, ironically, they wanted to save you .”
She walked slowly around the room as she spoke. “You’re the hospital director. You should know what ‘using every last resort‘ means. Without this, you wouldn’t have lived long enough to see stable treatment.”
Owen’s expression was comical–a mix of confusion, resistance, and dawning understanding .
Then Yunice added, “Elsie tested positive too.”
He looked up sharply, panic flickering in his eyes.
“She got sick five days before you… and she’s still alive. Get what I’m saying?” she said calmly.
Owen stared at her, then finally seemed to grasp the situation. “Tell Mr. Wyatt… thank you.”
He looked genuinely grateful, his voice subdued with humility.
Yunice didn’t respond. Thank him ? What for ?
Wellinges Pharma only saved Elsie because she had value. If she’d been an ordinary patient, she would’ve been left to die.
Owen, encouraged by Yunice’s words and the good news, clearly felt their bond had strengthened. He opened his mouth, likely to say something warm and sentimental–but Yunice had already turned and walked out.
He sat in silence for a long while, digesting everything.
Paul stole Wyatt’s research . Used me as a guinea pig .
Wyatt , on the other hand , saved Elsie – out of love for Yunice .
The balance in his mind tipped.
Wyatt had done far more for them than Paul ever would .
A week passed. As the virus began to spread wider and public measures adapted, Saunders Hospital was finally unsealed.
Yunice, as a volunteer without a medical license, wasn’t obligated to stay. Once her quarantine period ended, she was free to leave.
On their final night together, all the volunteers gathered for a commemorative photo and set up a group chat.
2/3
15:21 Mon , 9 Jun
416 Buried Truths and Surface Peace
45 Free Coins
Most of them were young–some working already, some still students. Having spent nearly two months confined together, sharing beds and meals, this experience had become a badge
of honor.
At the end of the night, they all raised their cups.
“To surviving this disaster–and the good luck that comes next!”
Laughter echoed as small clusters of friends filtered out, promising to help one another if future opportunities arose.
Yunice left with Tommy.
Outside, she called him a ride.
As they waited for his car, they chatted idly–eventually turning to the topic of Tommy’s future plans.