Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

As soon as they arrived at Blumedale Hospital and stepped out of the car,

Malcolm, Thomas, and Francesca were already there to greet them.

"Oh my, if it isn't Mr. Lloyd! What a rare guest! It's been ages since you last visited us here!" Malcolm laughed warmly, practically beaming.

Andrew waved his hand. "Come on, no need for all this fuss. I'm not some VIP, you and Dr. Bozzelli didn't need to come out personally."

Malcolm's expression turned serious. "Today is different from the past, Mr. Lloyd. It's only right that we come to welcome you."

Francesca stood beside them, trying to suppress a grin. She thought, 'Damn, look at my man! Walking into my workplace like he owns the place.'

Usually, she would roll her eyes, but still, this kind of attention gave her vanity a little thrill.

Only Thomas looked conflicted. He kept glancing at Andrew, wanting to say something. Eventually, he only managed a stiff, awkward welcome.

They said a lot could happen in a short time, and that was definitely true. Andrew had risen so fast in rank and influence that it was hard not to feel overshadowed just by standing near him.

Thomas certainly did. If he felt this way, one could only imagine how his student Jared felt.

Jared had once competed with Andrew for Francesca's affections out of jealousy. Upon learning that Andrew was coming to Blumedale Hospital, he did not even dare show his face.

Naturally, Andrew was uninterested in others' opinions. He said, "Let's not waste time then. Please lead the way so we can see the patients!"

Malcolm gestured. "This way, Mr. Lloyd! I won't follow along; Thomas and Fran will take you there!"

Andrew nodded with a smile. "Of course, Dr. Goddard. I'll let you get back to work."

As Thomas led the way, he suddenly said, "Mr. Lloyd, there's something I've been meaning to say for a long time. About the past... I owe you an apology."

Andrew blinked, then laughed. "Dr. Bozzelli, there's no need for that! Honestly, I didn't take it to heart. The past is the past, and there's no need to dwell on it."

Thomas let out a long breath and gave a sheepish smile. "You've achieved so much at such a young age, and I was blind back then. But I do need to give you a heads-up. You need to be extremely cautious today. The patients we received at Blumedale have pretty alarming symptoms. If you're not careful, you could risk exposure or poisoning."

Andrew nodded, though he did not seem overly concerned. Of all the things he feared, poisoning definitely was not on the list.

...

More than a dozen patients lay on beds in the heavily sealed emergency room, where armed guards stood watch at the entrance.

Chantelle stopped outside. "I'll wait here, Mr. Lloyd. I won't go in."

Andrew nodded. "Good call. Since there's a chance of infection, it's better if you stay out here."

Andrew put on a mask and walked into the emergency room. Meanwhile, Francesca followed beside him, and Thomas entered behind them.

The air was chilled and misty, deliberately cold to slow down viral spread.

A man in a navy suit stood at one of

the

hard and cold as he

f wearing a l

examined a patient'st. His

a patient's wounds.

As Andrew walked in, the man turned and snapped, "Unless you have a death wish, turn around and leave now."

Andrew glanced at the tag pinned to the man's chest, which read "Special Ops".

He raised an eyebrow, not expecting Chetvine's Special Ops to arrive so fast.

Thomas quickly stepped forward with a polite smile. "Sir, please don't take it the wrong way! This is Dr. Andrew Lloyd, the Grand Physician

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The man did not reply. He just kept examining the patient, but the smirk that tugged at the corner of his

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uth made his contempt crystal clear.

Francesca frowned. "Andrew, let's just focus on treating the patients."

Andrew nodded, still smiling. "Yeah, I'll take a look first."

The man scoffed. "If any of you survive after touching the patient, you'll answer to

me, Hank Armstrong."