Chapter 6
Marlene spoke the words, but her eyes kept darting over to Graysen, her gaze filled with hurt and her eyes reddening with unshed tears.
A moment later, Graysen’s coaxing voice echoed in her ear, “Why don’t you just hold the cat? Marlene just wants to make it up to you.”
Her teammates, sensing an opportunity to stir things up, chimed in sarcastically, “Oh wow, the MVP acts so differently. Always playing the diva in the team, ruining the unity. Everyone’s begging
her, and she’s still acting high and mighty.”
Caroline’s brows furrowed tightly, her knuckles turning white from how hard she clenched her
fists.
Just then, Violet rushed in from behind, shoving people aside and hurriedly supporting the pale Caroline. She shot back, “What’s with the cat? Can’t you see she’s in agony from her stomach?”
With that, Violet began leading Caroline toward the door.
Graysen, seeing what was happening, quickly followed after them, his voice laced with concern. “Caroline, why didn’t you tell me you were hurting? Why do you always have to be so stubborn? When will you ever change that temper?”
Caroline wanted to say something in return, but when she saw his gaze, she saw a faint trace of resentment hidden in his eyes, and she fell silent.
But Marlene, from behind, piped up. “Graysen, the kitten needs you to feed it. It’s so fond of you…”
She didn’t finish her sentence, but the implication hung heavy in the air.
Caroline’s voice came out hoarse as she said, “Graysen, you go ahead. Marlene’s kitten is waiting
for you.”
Graysen’s face betrayed a conflicted expression. He turned to look at Marlene, then glanced at Caroline. “I’ll be right back. Wait for me.”
And with that, he turned and quickly headed toward Marlene.
At that moment, Caroline found that in Graysen’s heart, she didn’t matter as much as Marlene, or even as much as Marlene’s cat.
Those years of love and devotion were probably just her one–sided memory. She sighed inwardly and turned to Violet, her voice barely a whisper as she said, “Let’s go.”
Violet, sensing Caroline’s pain, usually so chatty and energetic, fell unusually silent.
After the team’s doctor had finished checking Caroline’s arm and prescribed some painkillers, he gave a small smile and said, “The wound on your arm is healing well. No big deal.”
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“I heard you really pulled through on the last mission. Congrats!” the doctor added with a grin.
Caroline nodded in gratitude, chatting briefly before both of them left the medical room.
Violet was practically bouncing with excitement, chattering away.
She said, “You’re the only one in the team with second–class merit now. That’s impressive. Graysen’s definitely going to be over the moon. Getting married and earning second–class merit? That’s what you call double happiness!”
Violet beamed, her face radiating genuine joy.
But Caroline’s expression remained unchanged.
In truth, Caroline had never cared much for merit or recognition. Every mission felt like a deadly game with fate.
As long as the mission was completed and she made it back in one piece, that was her only wish.
With that thought, Caroline gazed up at the bright blue sky, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She turned to Violet and murmured her thanks again.
By the time they returned to the office with the medication, Graysen walked over, concern written all over his face. He eagerly handed her a hand warmer.
“Put this on your stomach. It’ll help you feel better,” he said.
Caroline’s gaze lingered on the hand warmer, but she didn’t make a move to take it.
She didn’t understand what Graysen was thinking. He had clearly fallen for Marlene, yet he continued to pretend to care for Caroline, as if nothing had changed.
Caroline thought, “Wasn’t it exhausting to split his heart in two?”
But she didn’t have time to ask that question. In the next second, the ringing of the meeting bell echoed, calling everyone to gather.
Caroline subtly pushed the hand warmer aside and followed the others into the meeting room. As everyone gathered, Kieran walked in, looking energetic, and announced loudly, “Caroline displayed outstanding performance in the last mission and is being awarded a second–class merit!”
“I object!” Graysen shouted.
As soon as the words left his mouth, all eyes in the room turned to Graysen.
Kieran’s eyes widened, his face expressionless, but his gaze silently urged Graysen to continue.
Graysen couldn’t bring himself to look at Caroline. His intense gaze was fixed firmly on Marlene, who was sitting in the front row.
Chapter 6
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His tone was resolute as he said, “In this merit evaluation, Marlene suffered severe injuries and deserves recognition. The honor can’t go to Caroline alone. The team doesn’t agree.‘
