chapter894

Lydia locked eyes with Spencer, her stare icy and unflinching. "Even if your

director's infected, she said, her voice flat and cold, "it's not your place to take charge here." She glanced over at Vincent. "Where are your vice director and the senior doctors?"

Vincent dropped his head even lower. He looked like he wanted to disappear, unable to meet her gaze, let alone answer.

Spencer let out a cocky laugh. Sweetheart, like I said, right now I'm in charge. So stop wasting everyone's time and show me your credentials."

That was all Lydia needed to hear to put the pieces together. "So your director, vice director, and all the senior staff are infected?"

Vincent nodded, looking miserable. "Dr. Norwood, the virus spreads way too fast. We just couldn't contain it. Honestly, you should leave. It's not safe here."

Lydia pulled out her phone and dialed a number, putting it on speaker. Spencer watched her with a smug little smirk.

"Just give it up," he scoffed. "If you don't have what it takes, get out of here and let someone competent handle it. Stop wasting our time."

The call rang twice before someone picked up. Kevin's voice came through, warm and familiar. Hey, sweetheart, did you guys make it? What's it like over there?

Vincent's eyes suddenly brightened. "It's Kevin," he whispered.

Spencer's face went sour.

Lydia didn't hesitate. "It's bad. The director, vice director, and all the senior staff are down with the virus. Right now there's just some unqualified department head running things and making a mess."

Spencer nearly exploded with anger, but Lydia ignored him.

Kevin sounded stunned. "What? They told me there were only fifteen cases, that it wasn't serious!"

Lydia's eyes stayed on Spencer, cold and sharp. "Then you'd better ask who's been giving those reports. Anyone playing games with public safety needs to answer for it."

Kevin was furious. "Where's Vincent? Is he there? How could he hide something this big?"

Vincent's head dropped even lower, his hands curling into tight fists. The truth was, Spencer had taken over everything two weeks ago, and Vincent had just done what he was told.

"Right now the whole hospital is being run by some junior department head called Spencer,"

Lydia said I'm going to contact the local government and get to the bottom of this."

Kevin agreed at once. "Thank you, sweetheart. If you hadn't come in person with the antidote, we'd still be in the dark about how bad things really are.

That one word antidote-hung in the air like a thunderclap. Everyone stopped. An antidote? Was she serious?

Lydia nodded. That's all for now. I'll get back to you once I've assessed everything. "Okay. Be careful."

She ended the call. Vincent stepped forward right away, eyes wide and hopeful. Dr. Norwood, you... you really made an antidote?"

Lydia nodded. Yes. But there's not much of it. How many people are infected right now?"

Vincent opened his mouth, but Spencer cut him off. "Vincent, how do we even know she's telling the truth?"

Lydia shot Spencer a long, steely look. You'll know once we try it on a patient. What's the matter, Spencer, are you not happy there's a possible cure?"

Spencer looked flustered, but tried to

keep his cool. "Don't start your

bullshit. I want an antidote more than anyone. I just don't want people risking their lives on something

unproven, we've worked like crazy

to keep our patients alive."

Lydia raised an eyebrow, her tone dry. Is that so? If you're so desperate for a cure,

now that it's here, why aren't you taking me to see the patients?"

Spencer opened his mouth to argue, but Vincent cut him off. "Spencer, there's no need to doubt Dr. Norwood. She just spoke to Kevin. Im sure she's really brought the antidote."