The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 140

The jeep bumped along the potholed dirt road for nearly two hours. Outside the window, the sparse towns near the airport slowly gave way to wide-open savannas, eventually transitioning into an area heavily fortified by high walls and barbed wire fences.

Dusk was approaching, and the setting African sun painted the horizon in a blazing crimson. The majestic, snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro loomed in the distance, reflecting a divine, radiant glow under the fading light.

"Dr. Rose, we're almost there," David called out from the driver's seat, glancing back. His smile remained warm, but his eyes now carried a deep, natural reverence. The jeep slowed down as the first checkpoint came into view.

Two soldiers in camouflage uniforms, armed with AK-47s, stood behind a barricade. Their dark skin blended with the shadows, but their eyes were as sharp as eagles. David rolled down the window, exchanged a few quick words in Swahili, and handed over his identification. One soldier took it, inspecting it carefully with a flashlight and running it through a handheld device. His gaze then shifted past the driver, scrutinizing Evelyn in the back seat.

"ID, ma'am," the soldier commanded in heavily accented English.

Evelyn calmly retrieved her passport from her bag, along with a special document bearing a unique crest. The emblem was minimalist yet profoundly commanding—a stylized rose intertwined with the medical Caduceus, with a small line of text beneath it: 'The Global Medical Research Alliance — Lifetime Honorary Fellow, Director of The Rosetta Project.'

The moment the soldier saw the crest, his entire demeanor hardened, instantly followed by a surge of undisguised awe. He carefully checked the photo against her face. When he fully recognized her tranquil features, the young soldier practically stopped breathing. His hands trembled slightly as he handed the documents back. He stood ramrod straight and, with broken but incredibly earnest Chinese, said, "It's you... Dr. Rose! Welcome back! May you be safe here!"

He took a half-step back and executed a crisp, perfect military salute, his eyes burning with genuine devotion. Though his partner didn't immediately understand, seeing his comrade's reaction and catching a glimpse of the crest prompted him to snap to attention and salute as well.

"Thank you, David. I appreciate the long drive." Evelyn nodded and grabbed her travel bag.

The moment she stepped onto the stairs, the heavy alloy doors swung open from the inside. A tall, middle-aged man in a perfectly pressed white uniform strode out, a stern expression on his face. He was trailed by two young attendants who looked visibly excited. But the second the man locked eyes with Evelyn, his severe expression melted entirely, replaced by an overwhelmingly passionate, almost ecstatic smile.

"Dr. Rose! It really is you!" Kamal's booming voice trembled with emotion. He practically jogged down the stairs, throwing his arms open before catching himself and transitioning into a deep bow. "When I saw your code name on the reservation list, my heart almost stopped! Welcome home! Welcome back to the foot of Kilimanjaro! We will always have a room waiting for you!"