Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Chapter 35 Danielle’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen -David was calling.

"Danielle, what happened with that car accident yesterday?" His voice carried a touch of worry.

’How did he find out? I locked that news down immediately, she thought. ’Isn’t he overseas? His network is impressive.’

"The driver’s in custody," she said, briefly recalling the incident.

Before leaving, David had assigned his men to keep Danielle safe but instructed them not to disrupt her life. He had too many enemies to take any chances. When his phone regained service today, he got the report about her car being hit.

"Are you okay? Do you need me to step in?" His voice softened.

"I’m fine, no need for help. It was Joseph’s assistant driving my car." Danielle barely knew David; an arranged marriage bound their lives. Yet, for reasons she couldn’t explain, she trusted him.

"Take care of yourself," David said, his tone growing warm. "I’ll wrap things up here as soon as I can and come back to be with you."

Danielle blinked, her clear eyes showing a faint spark of amusement. "No rush," she replied lightly. She knew she’d be tied up at the border for a while.

His voice dipped into something teasing and dangerous. "What’s this? Don’t want me around, Danielle?"

Aiden, Denny, Taylor, and the others stood nearby, stiff and awkward. Seeing their usually cold and commanding boss speaking so gently on the phone, they exchanged subtle looks.

’So it’s a man on the other end, they thought, suppressing grins. ’If he deals with Miss Darling’s icy attitude daily, his nerves must be as wrecked as ours. Danielle, catching the slight shift in David’s tone, kept her response calm. "You’re reading into it. I’ve got to go now. Bye."

"Alright," David replied, reluctant, before hanging up.

Hades Fortress.

David lowered the phone, his face darkening, any trace of warmth vanishing. His men straightened immediately, not daring to meet his eyes. "Tell the police to make sure that truck driver regrets every breath he takes," he said coldly. "And find out who’s behind it."

Nathan gave a sharp nod. "On it."

David’s expression turned lethal. ’Anyone who dares harm Danielle better be ready to face hell.

"Have we pinpointed the lab’s location?" David asked, his tone sharp and unforgiving, lips pressed into a thin line.

The recent viral outbreak along the border had been traced back to a lab, one operating under the Wulf Clan’s jurisdiction. Its exact location remained elusive due to their tight control and secrecy.

Nathan’s face was grim. "Our scouts found the lab, but the IV2 virus is spreading fast. Many of our people are infected and quarantined. The Fortress doctors are helpless without the antidote."

David held his cigarette between his fingers, the smoke curling up to obscure his expression. Behind the haze, a strikingly handsome face emerged, though his brows were furrowed with a fierce intensity, like a predator on the hunt.

"Let the doctors slow the infection as much as possible."

"Shadow’s here too. It’s been a long time since she’s been around. I bet she’s here because of all the chaos. Their plane was attacked as it crossed the border. It was the Wulf Clan." Nathan analyzed Shadow’s reason for coming.

"There’s an underground fight in two days at the border. We’ll attack the Wulf Clan the same day and catch up with Shadow." David’s eyes were as cold as ancient ice.

Danielle walked toward the isolation area. Guards at the door snapped to attention. "Miss Darling," one said, bowing slightly.

Her sharp eyes swept over them, noting their protective gear. "How many are infected?" she asked coolly.

"Five yesterday. Four more today. Over twenty total," the guard replied nervously. Seeing her heading for the isolation ward, another guard stepped forward. "Miss Darling, please reconsider. The infected are in terrible shape. Their skin’s deteriorating, and this virus spreads like wildfire."

Danielle’s tone was steady. "Have they taken the Miracle Antidote?"

Aiden nodded. "Yes, but it only slows the symptoms. It’s not a cure." She nodded once and moved toward the doors.

Another guard tried to stop her. "Miss Darling, the IV2 virus is vicious. One mistake and you could get infected too."

Her eyes turned cold. "I’ll be fine. Stay here. I’m going in alone." Without waiting for a response, she pushed the door open.

Aiden, Denny, and Taylor looked at each other, uneasy. "Miss Darling, let us go in with you," Taylor said, stepping forward.

Danielle turned back, her gaze sharp and unyielding. "Stay outside. I can handle this."

Years of working with pharmaceuticals had made her immune to most toxins. What might harm others wouldn’t affect her.

Reluctantly, they backed down. "We’ll wait here. Please wear protective gear and be careful," Aiden urged.

Danielle nodded, pulling on a protective suit before stepping inside.

Shadow Fortress was vast, its interior housing a well- equipped laboratory. Danielle needed to witness the situation firsthand before she could proceed with her research on the virus antidote.

Danielle entered the ward, her eyes taking in the sight of her men writhing in agony on their beds. Their skin was rotting in patches, the infection spreading rapidly, each one enduring unspeakable pain.

"Miss Darling, you’re here," one croaked, their voice barely audible.

"Miss Darling, it hurts so much..."

"Please save us. We don’t want to die..."

"Miss Darling, leave before you get infected too!"

The Fortress doctor, Paul, rushed over, relief flooding his face. "Thank goodness, you’re here. We might have a chance now." Danielle’s tone was clinical. "Give me the details."

Paul didn’t hesitate. "The virus originated from a lab that popped up recently. They’re testing it, but it’s already devastating. It starts with fever and rashes, then progresses to unbearable pain, skin decay, and eventually organ failure."

Since the first case of infection appeared in Fortress, Paul had been watching helplessly, his heart racing with anxiety. He’d tried everything, but there was still no solution.

"Miss Darling," Paul said with a helpless sigh, "We’ve given them the Miracle Antidote you brought, but it’s only providing temporary relief."

The men lying on the beds, suffering with their skin decaying, were running out of time. If they couldn’t find a cure within three days, they would die from organ failure. It was a fate Paul couldn’t bear to witness.

Not A Small Town Girl (Danielle and David)

Chapter 34 Danielle’s eyes hardened with a chilling coldness. ’Those damned bastards... to create such a virus... Her thoughts burned with fury. ’They deserve nothing less than hell.