Chapter 396
“I’m on my way.” Shermaine’s gaze dimmed. Her expression made it clear the situation had turned serious. Forget about eating; they needed to get over there immediately to see what was wrong.
As Bruce had described, the police officers and ordinary people injured by that woman that night started showing even stranger symptoms—snake-like scales emerged on their skin, their fingernails grew alarmingly long overnight, and their hunger intensified.
While the virus hadn’t damaged their nervous systems or triggered violent outbursts, it had spread to their internal organs, forcing their bodies into unnatural overdrive.
But the human body had its limits. Push it too far, and it would shatter like an overinflated balloon.
To make things worse, the virus wasn’t just mutating—it was merging with marine DNA, accelerating a primal regression. Bit by bit, they were becoming something else entirely.
Shermaine did the math. Without a serum to cure them, none of them would survive past the three-month mark.
“Doctor, is there still hope for us?” Their voices trembled, and their eyes were wide with panic. No one could accept what was happening to them.
They never could have imagined it, not even in their wildest dreams, that the woman from that night was a monster.
Shermaine reassured them, “There is hope. We’re working urgently to develop a serum. For now, your only task is to stay right here and don’t go anywhere.”
Her words were deeply convincing, and the unease that had been gnawing at them suddenly subsided. Over the past few days, they’d learned more about Shermaine, and they knew she was an exceptional doctor.
“Got it. We promise we won’t go anywhere,” they said in unison. Once they were calm and she’d collected the necessary samples, Shermaine stepped out of the old clinic.
Beside her, Steve frowned and hesitantly asked, “Dr. Jean, will they eventually turn into zombies, like in those movies?”
The image sent a shiver down his spine. Just thinking about it made his scalp tingle. He thought, “What if this was the beginning of the end? The whole world is going to be doomed.”
Shermaine sighed helplessly, “Seriously? What nonsense are you thinking? You’re a medical student.”
Steve said, “I can’t help thinking about Resident Evil, Dr. Jean. Have you seen it? Honestly, whoever did this to them is just as despicable as the villains in that movie.”
Steve thought indignantly, “We’re all humans. Why do we have to hurt each other? Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order of life, so why are some people so obsessed with the idea of being immortal?”
Shermaine didn’t respond. But now that the higher-ups were involved, those behind this mess were bound to pay the price.
Just then, Bruce cut in, “Have you two eaten yet?”
“Not yet,” Shermaine replied.
Since Steve and Bruce shared the same last name, Steve naturally felt a special closeness to him.
Bruce said, “There’s a great restaurant in town. Let me take you guys there.”
The shop was simple but clean, filled with the comforting smell of broth and spices. As the scent drifted through the air, Shermaine pulled out her phone and clicked on WhatsApp. Then, she sent a quick message to Joshua: [I miss your cooking.]
Meanwhile, at York Group’s headquarters, an executive meeting was in session. At this time, Joshua’s phone buzzed with a special ringtone he had set exclusively for Shermaine.
He picked it up without hesitation. The sharp, commanding look on his face melted in an instant upon reading the text. Even the tension in the room seemed to lift with it.
Joshua: [What would you like to eat, love?]
Shermaine replied with a list of dishes she was craving.
Joshua: [Got it.]
She stared at his reply, puzzled as she thought, “Got it? What did he mean by that? It’s not like I can have it now!”
Joshua: [What are you up to right now?]
Shermaine might have been craving his cooking, but Joshua was craving her—to hold her close as they slept, to kiss her, to share all the intimate moments only lovers do.
But they were both swamped with work. Shermaine was neck-deep in lab work, and he had a business trip to Neclen first thing tomorrow.
After all, with the year-end approaching, operations were bound to be hectic for such a large conglomerate.
Shermaine: [The virus in those officers injured by that woman has mutated. Came to collect samples. Now, I’m at a restaurant, and I’ll head back after eating.]
The news of the virus mutating was the last thing anyone wanted to hear. With that, their date was postponed once more.