The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 410

Garrison nodded.

He picked up his lukewarm tea, held it for a second, and set it right back down without taking a sip.

"Five years ago, she was part of the Deep Ice Origin project you organized. She successfully retrieved the White Microbe in Antarctica. But she was severely injured during the mission. She didn't die, but... she fell into a deep coma."

He spoke slowly, every word meticulously chosen, yet flowing naturally.

This was his carefully constructed narrative. He couldn't let anyone know the truth about Vivienne Hayes, the polar station, or the secrets buried beneath the ice—not even Lawrence or Vanessa.

But he needed a plausible story. He needed them to believe why a woman who had been dead for five years was suddenly alive and deserving of a second chance.

"The Vitas Strain was destroyed at the time, and the people behind it wanted her dead. To protect her, I announced she had passed away. Besides... I had no idea if she would ever wake up again."

Garrison's gaze drifted to the sycamore tree outside the window, its deep green leaves rustling in the afternoon sun. "The truth is, she's been asleep in my hospital this entire time. Until recently... she finally woke up."

Vanessa slowly lowered her teacup, adopting a thoughtful, contemplative look.

Lawrence ran his finger along the rim of his clay cup.

He stayed silent for a long time. Long enough for the steam to vanish from his tea. Long enough for Garrison's hands to ball into tight fists on his lap.

"How is her recovery coming along?"

Lawrence's voice was much softer now, the feigned irritation completely gone, replaced by a deep, slow concern.

"The intense underwater pressure caused irreversible damage to her lungs, but her bodily functions are gradually stabilizing."

Garrison took a deep breath, pressing on.

"Garrison, Lawrence might be the honorary president, but he can't just interfere with the university's academic affairs. Besides, her student status was canceled... what, a decade ago? This won't be easy to pull off. And Lawrence has never—"

"I can do it."

Lawrence cut her off.

He set the cup down and raised his eyes to Garrison.

Those eyes behind the gold rims were no longer young. They were slightly clouded, lined with the heavy weight of years, but his gaze remained razor-sharp, like an old blade that had never lost its edge.

"I can make this happen for you. But,"

He paused, tracing a slow circle on the table. "Garrison, have you considered the risks? Sending Sloane back to campus means putting her right back in the public eye. Those people are still after your Vitas Strain... Quinn Foster was murdered not too long ago, and the killer is still out there. Having Sloane walk around Riverdale University right now could easily put a target on her back."