Chapter 269
In the lab, a group of people huddled around a computer, their eyes glued to the screen.
When the test results appeared on the screen, the tense atmosphere shattered instantly, replaced by a chorus of joyful cheers erupting throughout the
lab.
“It’s negative! Betty’s recovered!” someone shouted at the top of their lungs, their voice trembling with barely contained excitement.
To make sure, they ran three tests in a row and even drew extra blood for another round. Every single result came back negative–no exceptions.
And Betty has fully recovered as well.
“Heffner Hospital has also successfully treated several patients, but even though those patients show no symptoms, their test results still come back positive. If our machine detected cases like that, it would probably get labeled as defective again.”
“Totally! That’s their go–to blame game. They’d love nothing more than to drag Ms. Saxon’s name through the mud.”
“Now that they’ve got Dr. Websteri’s support, we need to step up our game. We can’t lose!”
One of the students quickly shushed the group, whispering urgently, “Keep it down. Don’t disturb Ms. Saxon while she’s doing the pulse diagnosis.”
The room fell silent in an instant.
Aria gently withdrew her hand and offered a reassuring smile. “Full recovery confirmed,” she announced.
Hearing that, Betty’s eyes crinkled into a warm smile. “Thank you, everyone. You’ve all worked so hard.”
The graduate student leading the volunteer team from Mandino University smiled warmly and said, “Betty, it’s truly our pleasure. We’re especially grateful for your trust in us.”
They all knew that Betty was willing to cooperate only because she trusted Aria.
Fueled by this trust, they worked even harder than cramming for finals, and finally achieved satisfying results.
Aria handed her phone to the two communication specialists. “Many villagers in other towns are infected, and there’s a shortage of medical staff. Do outreach according to actual conditions. Let those in need know they can come to Jamelan for treatment.”
One of the guys instinctively took the phone, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Then, as if remembering something, he joked half–seriously, “Ms. Saxon, if Mr. Shaw finds out you handed me your phone, he might just kick me.”
Aria looked utterly confused and blurted out, “How is Owen involved in this?”
The male student scratched his head and, half–joking, said, “Aren’t you dating Mr. Shaw?”
Aria blinked in surprise. “What?”
Hearing this, Aria’s eyes widened involuntarily in shock. She exclaimed, “Why on earth would you think Owen and I are dating?”
Gossiping was human nature.
A few outgoing girls crowded around Aria, grinning. One of them asked eagerly, “Ms. Saxon, wait, so you two aren’t dating?”
Aria shot back, raising an eyebrow in disbelief, “Do we really look like we’re dating?”
One of the girls giggled and teased, “Ms. Saxon, haven’t you noticed? Mr. Shaw is always right behind you, taking care of everything for you. Honestly, he’s so eager. He might as well tag along you everywhere!”
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One of the girls chimed in, “We totally figured you guys were already an item!”
Aria was momentarily speechless, then clarified, “We’re just friends, not dating.”
Someone gasped, “What? Mr. Shaw still hasn’t won you over yet?”
Aria sighed helplessly. “He’s not pursuing me. We’re just close friends. That’s all.”
Betty looked at Aria and sighed.
At her age, she could easily see how Owen felt about Madelyn. It was just a shame the girl herself hadn’t realized it yet.
The third–year grad student happened to glance toward the door and instantly spotted that familiar figure. A knowing smile curled at her lips as she teased, “Speak of the devil! Here comes Mr. Shaw.”
In an instant, all eyes in the room snapped toward Owen as he stepped through the door, their gazes locking onto him with the intensity of spotlights- brimming with barely concealed gossip and curiosity.
Aria looked at Owen, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. If one person misunderstood and thought Owen had feelings for her, that was normal. But if everyone did, maybe there was more to it.
She had always thought Owen was gentle and warm–not just to her, but to everyone.
Come to think of it, she didn’t think she’d ever seen Owen with any other female friends.
The moment Owen walked in, he immediately picked up on the weird vibe.
He walked steadily toward the group, his gaze immediately locking onto Aria. With a gentle smile, he said, “I heard Betty had recovered. The tank is full.
I’m here to take her home.”
He then turned to Betty and asked gently, “Betty, we can go home whenever you’re ready.”
Betty looked at Aria with a warm smile. “I’d like to stay and help out–cook for the kids and help with the outreach as well.”
“Fighting this disease is tough work, and my single recovery case isn’t nearly enough,” said Betty, who needed no medical degree to grasp this truth.
Just as Aria was about to speak up, Betty grasped her hand and gave it a gentle, reassuring pat. With a warm smile, she said, “Don’t worry about me, dear. I know my limits. I won’t do anything too strenuous. I’ll just help out with some light chores.”
Betty turned to Owen, “Owen, Madelyn needs to go to the livestock quarantine center. Could you give her a ride?”
Owen nodded. “Sure.”
The guy who’d taken Aria’s phone asked, “Mr. Shaw, have you been busy lately?”
Owen shook his head. “Not too much.”
The male student asked Aria, “Ms. Saxon, can we have Mr. Shaw handle the outreach in the group chat?”
The account added to the group chat was Aria’s secondary one, which didn’t contain any private content.
She had another phone with her.
Since he’d offered, she couldn’t just refuse. “That works,” she conceded.
The male student handed the phone to Owen and briefly explained the tasks. “Mr. Shaw, thanks for handling this.”
Owen smiled faintly. “This is straightforward. I’ll handle it.”
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Chapter 269
Then Owen looked at Aria and asked gently, “Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” Aria said.
After getting in the car, Owen pulled out his phone, the glow of the screen highlighting the concern in his eyes. He said quietly, “I found some information about Tristan. Here, take a look.”
Aria froze for a split second before hurriedly pulling out her phone. “Thanks,” she said.
The first thing Aria saw was a photo of Tristan lying in a hospital bed, hooked on to medical equipment.
He lay unconscious, his face pale and lifeless.
Aria’s heart clenched painfully as her eyes fell on the three shocking words in the diagnosis report. She whispered in shock, “Brain death?”
Owen pressed his lips together, his expression grave. He nodded. “Yes.
“Five years ago, Dr. Todd was assaulted by a deceased patient’s family member,” Owen explained. “That person was sentenced to over a decade and is still behind bars.”
