Chapter 598 - After Effects - Part 1

"No," Valerie shouted in fear as soon as the girl jumped off from the third floor. Even Ian could not help but stare in shock, petrified by the turn of events. 

'Danger.' That was what he could think of at that moment as they watched the girl fall to the ground. The virus was deadly and Ian had studied the effect it would have on the people. Its ability to replicate itself and spread far and wide scared him all the more.

Things had not gone how they had wished, and all they could do was watch the young girl jump to her death while pulling everyone along with her to hell. It was not the girl's decision to kill herself to execute the plan that terrified them. But it was the impact of the virus she had with her that mortified them until they stood frozen in their spot.

In the blink of an eye, the girl had fallen to her death. But unfortunately for her, she did not die. Although her head was severely wounded and her legs were fractured, she was still alive but unconscious.

However, nobody cared about it. As soon as she fell to the ground, all the people on the lawn rushed to her. Even though the canister was intact with barely any visible marks on it, the lid covering it had been opened. The virus had been released and Jared had succeeded in his plan.

"No, no, no." This can't be happening. "No." Valerie was still in disbelief. Even Ryder and Preston were in distress while Ian could not stop the fury bursting through him. After a long time, he felt such intense anger and he did not know how to calm himself down.

Right now, his priority lay elsewhere and he curbed his anger forcefully even though it was becoming impossible to do so. He was angry at almost everyone but more at himself for not taking action quickly. He now had to reduce the impact of the virus on the people around him. 

Ian beckoned one of his men whispered orders to him before he closed the side entrance from where the girl had escaped to the lawn. He then made a call to the reception, barking orders at them, startling Valerie who was still frozen in her spot.

"Irrespective of what happens, don't allow anyone near the lawn and most importantly, provide all the people in and around the hospital premises with masks. I repeat provide everyone with masks. Everybody is in danger."

"Step back, Deputy." Ian let out a breath and pulled Valerie behind her. Although he was angry at her too, this was not the time for him to lash out at her. So, he did not reprimand for not stopping the girl. Moreover, he had an inkling that he too would have behaved the same if he was in her place. 

"What are you going to do?" Valerie's voice was barely audible. She was still spooked by what had happened. Although she had seen a lot of deaths and killed people herself, this accident had traumatized her for a lot of innocent lives were at stake. And she had no idea how to salvage the situation.

"I need to check her condition. We need to keep her alive to prove our claims against Jared." Ian kneeled beside the girl and checked her pulse. Just as he had expected, the girl was alive but unconscious. She had some broken ribs and her forehead was wounded. Even her legs had been fractured."

At that moment, the man who had been sent away to execute his orders returned with a bag. Ian nodded at him while he pulled out a mask for himself and handed one to Valerie. He then started to observe the girl's conditions with a frown marring his forehead.

Ian even despised touching the girl for what she had done. So, he looked at his man who was waiting for his orders. Understanding what was wanted of him at once, the man picked the girl while Ian entered through the side entrance again.

However, he stopped walking when he remembered a matter he had forgotten to address.

"Deputy, I would recommend that you inform all that has happened here to the nation and our President. Maybe take Ivy's help. Also, make sure to warn the people to wear masks at all times. We might be in grave danger and I am yet to find out how disastrous the virus is."

With that Ian started running towards the operation theater with the man right behind him. To his relief, the receptionist had executed his orders brilliantly and almost all the people were now wearing masks as they whispered to themselves in wonder and curiosity. They were yet to find out what had happened and why they suddenly asked to wear masks.

On his way to the operating theater, he even heard some people mention the gas attack. But he did not address the issue whatsoever for he had a life to save, a life he so badly wished to end himself. That girl was not as innocent as she looked, and he more or less had a hunch that it was she who had led the group here. She was the one who ordered the men around who right now were nothing but mere corpses.

"Prepare for an operation. We right now a severely wounded criminal and we need to save her to help the police with the investigation." Ian did not hide the fact that the young girl was a criminal. It would be revealed to the world sooner or later and moreover, he wanted everyone to be wary of her lest she should try to implicate them somehow.

On the other side, Valerie got to work immediately. The virus had been released and they could do nothing about it. All they could do was minimalize its effects on the people and stop them from getting infected by it. Lives were at stake and she had to send a warning about it immediately.

"Ivy, I need your help." Valerie had lost all her confidence the moment the girl had jumped to death. Yet, she tried to compose herself. 

"What happened?" Ivy had sensed the change in her tone and she understood that whatever she would be hearing next would never be pleasant.

"Jared's people managed to release the virus at one of his target locations and I now need you to inform the people. We need to spread awareness about it." Valerie breathed as she rubbed her forehead in agony.

"Sure. By the way, where was the virus released?" Ivy stared at Aria and Joshua who were listening to her conversation with Valerie.

They had already found out how Jared had managed to get out of the Intelligence, taking Maggie as his captive. Since then, they had been on tenterhooks, hoping for everything to be alright. But to their dismay, Jared had managed to do what he wanted to and Maggie was still in his grasp.

Silence ensued for a few moments while Ivy and Aria held their breaths. 

"Valerie?" 

"It's the Regal Medical Hospital.. The virus was released at Regal Medical Hospital."