The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 127

"Alright, alright, don't put her on the spot," Vivienne said, raising her glass. "Come on. Here's to a successful mission tomorrow!"

Everyone raised their glasses in unison.

The clinking of glass echoed with a crisp, clear chime.

"To a successful mission!"

Once they were full and preparing to leave, Vivienne suddenly stood up, walking over to the window to look outside.

"By the way, there's something you all need to know."

She turned back to face them, her smile fading into the serious demeanor of a station manager.

"According to the weather reports, the Polar Night begins tomorrow."

A sudden hush fell over the cafeteria.

"Starting tomorrow," Vivienne announced, "for the next two months, you will not see the sun again."

Outside the window, the afternoon sun still cast a warm glow over the snowfields, illuminating the distant icebergs so brightly they sparkled like diamonds.

But it would be the last light they saw this winter.

*

Meanwhile, in the US, inside Capital Hospital.

Garrison Foster knocked on the dean's office door.

"Come in."

He pushed the door open and walked in. Dean Quinton was reviewing documents behind his desk. Seeing Garrison, he immediately stood up.

"Garrison? Why are you out of the hospital?" Zachary walked around the desk, looking him up and down. "How's your health? Didn't your fever just break?"

"I'm fine," Garrison replied, his voice still a little raspy, though his posture was perfectly straight. "Laying in a hospital bed is a waste of time. I figured I'd come back."

He paused, leaning forward slightly, his expression shifting to absolute seriousness.

"Dean, what is the current status of the police investigation?"

Due to Garrison's specific involvement, the police hadn't shared their immediate findings with him yet.

"I came to ask if there are any new updates from the authorities."

Zachary leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh.

"They're still investigating."

A moment later, his gaze sharpened, a grave intensity washing over his aged face.

"But one thing is practically certain."

"The intelligence regarding The Vitas Strain... was leaked from inside our own laboratory."