Wilfred's gaze soon settled on Karina, sharp and probing. "What's on your mind?"

Karina shook her head but hesitated. "I do have some thoughts... but until I meet the patient in person, they're just ideas. Dr. Wilfred, you're the one who taught me that."

She lifted her head, her bright eyes unintentionally glowing with determination. Wilfred's gaze flickered for a moment, as if momentarily dazzled by her intensity.

Resting his hands on his knees, he deliberated briefly before saying, "Then pack your things-we're going."

Karina blinked in surprise, completely caught off guard.

His lips curved slightly. "Didn't you say it's best not to jump to conclusions without seeing the real person? Well, let's go meet them."

It was both an exciting and overwhelming surprise-no, more like a shock. Karina didn't even know where to start. Should she grab sterilized gloves? Instruments? Maybe her notes?

In the end, Wilfred took only her notebook, tossing the rest aside.

"These aren't necessary," he explained plainly. "Everything you need is already there."

"Oh." Karina smacked her forehead, embarrassed at her overthinking. It was such a simple concept, yet she had been too excited to consider it.

The patient wasn't at the hospital but rather at a facility several dozen kilometers away.

From the outside, it looked like a standard rehabilitation center, but in reality, it was a research facility disguised as a wellness retreat. There weren't any actual patients receiving care here only researchers dressed in sterilized suits or white lab coats. Entering required identity verification.

Karina managed a

sharp features and a cool, refined demeanor, exuding both composure and

and, noticing her lingering, called out, "Stop standing

hurried to

area looked like

deeper they

nature. The security grew tighter with every step. Karina counted at least three or four checkpoints, each with different levels of

clear Wilfred's clearance was

she asked, "Your rank

personnel," Wilfred admitted nonchalantly, as if confidentiality didn't concern him in the slightest. Karina suppressed her

a man approached,

stuffed into the pockets

greeted

no see. I thought you'd never show up again." en

was sharp,

at the outstretched hand offered to him but didn't bother reciprocating. "Step aside. I'm not here to catch

eyes,

disdain, as if she were nothing more than a pebble on the side of the road-not worth much

frowned, unsettled by the subtle arrogance in his

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