The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 484

Protection?

A faint ripple of unease swept through the crowd. Some frowned, others exchanged thoughtful glances, and a few looked as if a lightbulb had suddenly gone on.

Garrison Foster didn't give them much time to think. His voice was steady and commanding.

"Someone who made a massive contribution to this country was targeted by certain organizations because she held core secrets. To protect her life, the government announced her death and gave her a new identity so she could live, study, and start over in peace. It wouldn't be the first time it's happened in the United States."

"Think about it yourselves. Ms. Taylor was able to return to Riverdale University as Sloane Sutton. She was able to live openly in the sunlight. Do you really think this is because she faked her death to steal national honors, or because... this was a completely new identity given to her by the government to protect her?"

The atmosphere in the office area began to shift subtly.

A bespectacled young employee who had just called the situation 'ridiculous' pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He muttered to his coworker, "That actually makes sense."

The female employee who had been snapping photos unconsciously pocketed her phone, a flash of lingering fear crossing her face.

A few senior employees standing in the front row exchanged looks and nodded slightly.

"Dr. Foster, you make it sound so noble," Willa suddenly spoke up, her voice loud and grating. "Government protection? Where is your proof?"

Tessa was quick to chime in.

"Exactly! Where is your proof that she's under government protection? Show it to us!"

"Proof?" Garrison let out a cold scoff. "I'd like to ask you instead. Where is your proof that Sloane faked her death?"

"I'm sorry, Dr. Foster. We didn't mean to question a national hero."

"Yeah, we just got misled by what was being said. We weren't thinking straight."

"Right, right. I saw the news reports five years ago. My whole family was so moved. Ms. Taylor did incredible things for our country. How could we ever doubt her? We just didn't know the full story and got tricked."

Willa watched as the crowd receded from her like a retreating tide. Her carefully maintained composure completely shattered.

Her mouth twitched violently, the frustration and fury in her eyes burning like magma ready to erupt.

"You... you're all just going to let her fool you?" Her voice lost all of its polished stability. "He says she's under government protection, and you just buy it? Where is the evidence? You're going to believe Garrison Foster just because he said so? You..."