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Chapter 1725 You''re Fired
The residents of the farmers'' market were rmed by its sudden closure, fearing the loss of their livelihood. Rohan believed it was the perfect opportunity to incite unrest.
"I don''t understand. Why are they stopping us from doing business?" a vendor questioned.
"Exactly! It was all fine until they shut down the market. How am I supposed to provide for my family now?" another huffed.
Those already harboringints were now further incensed by the provocation. Though they were initially calm, some now attempted to tear down the barricade tape to enter.
Rohan watched from the sidelines with a triumphant smirk. Dressed in a sleek suit, he spoke with a righteous air, as though standing up for the vendors. "Who do the Quinnells think they are, keeping us locked down like this?novelbin
"Who sent you here? Do you even have the authority to enforce this? I haven''t heard a word from Mr. Wyncall at the Industry and Commerce Bureau."
Standing before him, Garret Mnd blocked Rohan''s path to the farmers'' market. Inside, workers in protective suits were disinfecting the area, while specialists collected samples of the virus.
While the initial sample results indicated nothing unusual at the farmers'' market, the first case of infection came from the driver who delivered aquatic animals there.
With no knowledge of the driver''s other routes, they were left to consider the farmers'' market as the virus'' potential source. Even if it might not have been the virus'' origin, anyone who hade into contact with the driver was likely infected.
Hence, Wynter swiftly ordered a lockdown of the farmers'' market upon hearing Nigel''s ount. Each resident was ced under quarantine, and medical professionals went door to door to collect samples for testing.
Eager to stir trouble, Rohan had nned to record a video that would spark a bacsh against the Quinnell Group. He hadn''t expected to be stopped at the entrance, leaving him unaware of what was unfolding inside. All he could do was stoke the fire from the outside.
At the same time, his disdain for Garret grew as he thought of thetter as just an ordinary citizen daring to stand his way.
Rohan dered recklessly, "Let''s storm in! If anything goes wrong, Mr. Wyncall and Mr. Camburn will handle it!"
Murdo Camburn was the chief officer in charge of the area. Despite his own authority, he had to show deference to Rohan, the Colifernia Chamber of Commerce''s head. Moreover, several development projects relied on Rohan''s support, which fueled his brazenness.
Wolstan, who had once mirrored Rohan''s haughtiness, now wore an unreadable expression. He couldn''t fathom why the Soul Guardian he had summoned earlier had refused to help or
even listen to his request.
As if that wasn''t enough, the artifact Alban had given him had shattered, leaving Wolstan at a loss for how to exin his error to his mentor.
Just who on earth was Wynter, and why did malevolent spirits surround her? Those questions kept running in Wolstan''s mind. But he didn''t dare to bring them up to Rohan, lest he would be seen as ipetent.
Having grown used to admiration and ttery, Wolstan had no intention of returning to being a nobody. Normally, he would''ve seen Rohan''s downfalling. However, he had been so wrapped up in his own concerns that he failed to realize that Rohan''s reckless behavior was costing him his position.
No one had ever been bold enough to trespass the istion zone, yet Rohan audaciously suggested such an act, oblivious to the riot he was inciting.
Garret barely budged an inch as he stopped Rohan''s advance. The crowd attempted to force their way into the market but failed to break through.
Seeing that, Rohan purposely fell to the ground and cried, "How unjust! The farmers'' market belongs to us Colifernians, but the Quinnell Group shut it down as soon as they arrived! What are the residents supposed to do now?
"As the Colifernia Chamber of Commerce''s head, I came to inspect the situation, but they pushed me to the ground!"
When Rohan started crying, his subordinate started recording the scene. Facing the camera, Rohan sniffed and continued, "You call the Quinnells benevolent, but it''s all just a show!"
Garret watched the farce with a frown. It appeared Rohan wasn''t fully aware of who he was messing with.
Upon hearing themotion, Wolstan rushed over to find Rohan sitting on the ground. He noticed an ominous air around Rohan and performed a swift divination. Shocked by the result, he quickly helped Rohan to his feet.
"We have to leave, Mr. Tarvin. I fear something bad may happen if we stay any longer," Wolstan warned.
Rohan simply dismissed his concerns. "You''re worrying too much, Mr. Wingfield. This is Colifernia. If there''s something I can''t handle, someone else will take care of it for me. I wouldn''t have made it this far without such connections.
"Besides, what can possibly go wrong? It''s not like the Quinnells will put a hit on me, right?"
Though Wolstan wished to tell him the truth, he was afraid of invoking heavenly retribution. He met Rohan''s gaze and stated sternly, "It''s for your sake, Mr. Tarvin. I can''t say more. Some secrets must remain hidden."
Rohan merely patted Wolstan on the shoulder and said, "You''re overthinking it, Mr. Wingfield. I''ll take you out for some fun once this is settled."
He then ordered his subordinate to upload the video, but Garret swiftly snatched the phone
away.
"I shouldn''t be bothered, but do you even understand what an istion zone is? If you try to bypass me, there will be serious consequences," Garret warned.
Infuriated by his words, Rohan shot back, "Oh, really? We''re living in a society bound byws, yet you dare to threaten me like this.
"Look here, I''m a Cascadian Asmarian. As a foreign investor, I''m entitled to certain privileges, but you choose to show me disrespect. Just you wait-I''m calling Mr. Wyncall
right now."
With that, he took out his phone and dialed a number. The line indicated that Ralph Wyncall was unavable. But even after several attempts, Ralph still hadn''t responded.
Little did Rohan know that the scions he assumed to be untouchable had been barred from leaving the country. As for Ralph, he had been taken away from the meeting half an hour ago and was on his way to the farmers'' market.
Drenched in cold sweat, Ralph was still oblivious to the unfolding events and kept questioning, "Who are you? Where are you taking me? Who gave you the right to do so?"
The one escorting him whispered into his ear, "We''re from the Special Unit. Does that ring a
bell?"
Hearing that, Ralph instantly felt weak in his knees. He had heard of the Special Unit but never encountered them before. After all, he had been advised not to get involved with them, or it could lead to his end.
Meanwhile, Garret was informed via the walkie-talkie that the sampling wasplete, but the people were to remain in istion. He swiftly ordered someone to weld an iron gate,pletely sealing off the entrance.
Though Rohan was eager to cause trouble, he didn''t expect such an oue and attempted to stop them. "Taking control of the market is one thing, but sealing off the entrance, too?
You''re really-"
Before he could finish his words, Murdo arrived in full uniform. Though, he was escorted by a soldier who easily restrained him with one hand. Stunned, Rohan attempted to ask questions, but Murdo stopped him.
Unfortunately, Rohan failed toprehend Murdo''s intention. Being a repatriate, he overlooked one thing-the shift to ckbat uniforms was a clear sign that the operation was no longer under normal officials'' control. Instead, it was now in the
military''s hands.
But Rohan, having enjoyed his privileges as a repatriate businessman, failed to think on that scale. He remained clinging onto his influence and retorted haughtily, "What''s there to fear? Try messing with me, and I''ll pull my investments out of Colifernia immediately!" "Please do so, then," a voice replied. It was Lucas, who was supposed to be in Hawford. By all rights, he wasn''t in charge of Colifernia nor was he expected to be there. However, there had been a special case.
The higher-ups had ordered the relevant departments to prioritize disease prevention and control, but no one anticipated the duplicity. Hence, Wynter directly appealed to the top authorities and requested military intervention.
In other words, the officials in charge of the relevant departments weren''t entirely innocent.
In fact, Colifernia''s mayor had already been taken in for questioning.
Since the operation was executed swiftly with utmost secrecy, those of the lower rankings
were all caught off guard.
Still wrapped in his delusions, Rohan believed he was entitled to special treatment as a
foreign investor.
When he noticed Lucas, he swiftly mocked him in a mix ofnguages. "And who the hell are
you? Do you have any idea how much profit and job opportunities I bring to this city every
month?
"Even your director wouldn''t dare to speak to me like that. Can you handle the consequences if I pull my investments?"
Lucas silently lifted his gaze, and his subordinates moved to shove Ralph to the ground.
Only then did Rohan sense something was wrong.
ncing at the trembling Ralph, Lucas softly remarked, "To think you would allow such a businessman to remain in Colifernia. Aren''t you kind, Mr. Wyncall?"
"I can exin, Mr. Keller. It''s true that the city needs development and economic growth,
but what Mr. Tarvin ims is simply his own opinion. We won''t allow anyone to impose
their own agenda."
Ralph scrambled to exin, though his nervous expression hinted that he had received benefits under questionable circumstances.
Lucas merely ignored Ralph as he strode toward the confused Rohan. "Everyone knows that
Cascadia has arge market share, and we always wee global investors to Colifernia. Our trade''s core principle is clear and simple-everyone in Cascadia must respect itsws. "Mr. Tarvin, even if you don''t pull out your investments, you''ll still be expelled from the
country. As for yourpany, that''s up to your superiors. If they share your views, I''m sorry to say that they won''t be weed here, either. You can pass that message along, but I think they''ll being for you instead."
Rohan was taken aback by Lucas'' deration. No one had ever dared to speak to him like that. Even Colifernia''s mayor had offered him privileges to make him stay. But when he noticed Ralph''s ashen face, he realized that Lucas was no ordinary figure. Most foreignpanies typically operated their headquarters overseas. As the one
overseeing businesses in Cascadia, Rohan knew he would face serious consequences if he mismanaged things.
Yet, his poor grasp of Cascadian kept him from fully understanding the implications of Lucas ''message. If he were expelled, he would lose his position as the Colifernia Chamber of
Commerce''s head.
Before he couldprehend Lucas'' words, he received a call from his direct superior at the
headquarters.
"Rohan, you idiot! How many times have I warned you not to disrespect the Cascadian militaries or thews? Have you ever listened to what I said? You''re such a moron! You''re
fired!" the superior bellowed.
Rohan was left in stunned silence. He had always prided himself on building strong connections with local officials, but that didn''t seem to work out now.
He had merely intended to cause trouble for the Quinnells, yet somehow, things had spiraled
out of control. Moreover, who on earth was Lucas?
When Lucas prepared to leave, Rohan hurried after him and desperately pleaded, "It''s all a
misunderstanding, sir! Really!"
Lucas didn''t bother to spare Rohan a nce as he had more pressing matters to attend to.
The closure of the farmers'' market would surely rise to new problems, and he was there to maintain order.
Despite being aware of the virus threat, Lucas had not hesitated to head to Colifernia upon receiving Wynter''s call. Undoubtedly, he was the person she trusted the most.
After resolving matters at Summit Hospital, Wynter and Drexel made their way to
Willowbrook Hospital, where most of the clues seemed to lead.
Perhaps, many questions could be answered if they found Lancelot there. Besides, it was odd
that Willowbrook was the only hospital without any confirmed cases.
Once they were in the car, Wynter inquired, "Have you noticed anything weird at the
hospital recently?"
Drexel pondered for a moment before answering, "There might be. Since the foreign doctors
arrived, the supply of medicine in the pharmacy has been depleting at an rming rate.
"Also, a nurse from the night shift has gone missing. The director on duty imed that she had applied for leave to return home, but they lost contact with her afterward.
"Some patients also reported hearing strange noises during the night, but they couldn''t tell
if it was the howling of monkeys or a human." After listening to his ount, Wynter fell into deep thoughts.
Meanwhile, in a hidden passage within Willowbrook Hospital''s pharmacy, empty vials and monkey carcasses were scattered around. Caroline, the missing nurse, was tied unconscious
to a pir.