The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 1698

If Stephen hadn't routinely checked the vitals monitors from outside, he would have assumed they had been quietly assassinated inside the operating theater.

Silas's injuries were catastrophic. He had been at the absolute epicenter of the blast, throwing away his own tactical shielding to cover Barrett.

The fact that he was even breathing was a medical miracle.

The enemy had struck with lethal intent.

During their op, Silas's team had successfully apprehended Dr. Aris. If they managed to drag the scientist to an international tribunal, it would have been a devastating blow to Sundara's global standing.

So, the syndicate deployed an extermination squad to silence everyone.

Fortunately, Silas was a tactical genius. Recognizing the trap moments before it sprang, he had stashed Dr. Aris in a secure blackout location while throwing himself into the crossfire to protect his men.

Failing to locate the scientist, the syndicate was desperate to capture Silas and pry the coordinates from him.

That was why the border lockdown was so suffocating.

As for why the mining convoy was waved through checkpoints? That was purely a testament to Dewitt's terrifying local influence.

"How is he?"

When Claire finally stepped out of the OR, she looked like she was about to collapse.

Rory and Jace flanked her immediately—one shoving an energy bar into her hand, the other uncapping a bottle of water for her.

On the other side, Tandy's veteran bodyguard efficiently hooked the elderly doctor up to an IV drip of glucose to rapidly spike his blood sugar.

He then handed him a steaming bowl of lean meat congee.

Only after scarfing down the food did the two surgeons regain a fraction of their stamina.

Claire stifled a massive yawn and turned to the older man. "Grandpa Tandy, go get some sleep. I'll take the first watch."

"No need to watch him right now. He won't be waking up anytime soon."

"Just follow Captain James's exfiltration protocol."

Tandy waved her off, letting out a ragged sigh. "I'm getting old. I used to pull forty-eight-hour trauma shifts and still go for a run."

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