Chapter 253

Evelyn handed the neatly organized medications to Julian Roland. Her fingertip lightly tapped the medicine box.

"Give these to the base doctor." Her voice was cool and detached. "I've labeled the dosage and instructions."

Before Julian could respond, a sharp female voice cut in.

"Why not tell me directly?"

A woman in a white lab coat stepped out from around the corridor corner. The name tag on her chest read "Wendy Macmillan."

She deliberately straightened her posture, emphasizing the words "exclusive physician" with biting clarity.

Evelyn arched an eyebrow.

The hostility radiating from the woman was baffling.

"Dr. Macmillan?" Julian frowned. "Is there a problem?"

"I heard the Colonel brought back a miracle healer." Wendy's gaze burned into Evelyn. "I came to... learn from her."

Her red lips curled into an arc of provocation. "Unless Miss Roland is afraid?"

Evelyn let out a soft laugh.

Perfect timing—she'd been itching for some action lately.

"What's the challenge?"

Wendy was prepared. She led the group into an examination room littered with hundreds of dried herbs.

"Whoever identifies the most within thirty minutes wins."

Evelyn glanced at the scattered brownish herbs.

A traditional medicine test?

Interesting.

"You can still back out now," Wendy said smugly.

"Start the timer." Evelyn crouched down, picking up a withered leaf between her fingers.

Thirty minutes later.

The examination room was dead silent.

Evelyn dusted the herbal residue off her hands and stood gracefully. Not only had she named every single herb, but she'd also detailed their origins and processing methods.

Wendy's face turned ashen.

"You—"

"Medicine is about compassion." Evelyn cut her off. "Not a tool for petty competition."

She turned and walked out, the hem of her lab coat slicing through the air with sharp finality.

Julian stood frozen at the doorway, utterly speechless.

Three days later.

Sebastian's wound had scabbed over. Evelyn removed the last bandage, revealing fresh pink skin beneath.

"You're cleared to leave."

"About Silas—"

Before Sebastian could finish, rapid footsteps echoed from downstairs.

Olivia Valdemar burst into the room, her pregnant belly preceding her. The sharp click of her heels rang against the marble floor.