Chapter 498

Theodore Graves' face twisted in fury. His jaw clenched so tight I could hear his teeth grinding. He glared at Evelyn with a look that could melt steel, barely restraining himself from lunging at her.

"You dare call me incompetent?" Theodore spat, his voice dripping with venom.

He jabbed a finger toward Evelyn. "Listen here, Cassandra Wright. With this level of insubordination, you don't belong in Team B—let alone on this military base."

Evelyn remained perfectly still, her expression unreadable as she watched Theodore's tantrum unfold.

Snatching up the files, Theodore shoved them at the other scientists. "Look at this garbage. Does any of this make sense to you? It's just random numbers and formulas thrown together."

As confidential documents circulated the room, Evelyn's voice cut through the murmurs. "Those aren't for your eyes."

Theodore smirked. "Getting defensive? Afraid people will realize you've been slacking off?"

Evelyn's hands instinctively cradled her stomach as she took a slow breath. Though her research notes were being passed around, most of the scientists just frowned in confusion.

When Ethan Reynolds and Benjamin Hart examined the documents, their eyes widened. They exchanged a loaded glance before staring at Evelyn like she'd grown a second head.

Without a word, they shoved the papers back at Theodore. "Mr. Graves," Ethan said urgently, "return these to Cassandra immediately."

"Does anyone actually understand what she's working on?" Theodore demanded.

Ethan and Benjamin—the only ones familiar with hydronium research—stayed silent. But others piped up:

"I can't decipher any of it."

"Seems to be some advanced compound, but I'm lost."

"Fascinating, but completely over my head."

Theodore tapped the files against his palm, triumphant. "Cassandra, between this worthless research, your disrespect, and your week-long absence, I have more than enough grounds to terminate your position."

"Terminate who?"

A deep voice rolled through the room like thunder.

Every head snapped toward the doorway where Liam Blackwood stood, his imposing frame flanked by Victoria Hudson and Ryan Sullivan. The temperature in the room dropped ten degrees.

"General Blackwood," the scientists chorused, straightening to attention.

Liam gave a curt nod.

Theodore scrambled forward, all smiles now. "General Blackwood! What an honor. To what do we owe this visit?"

Liam's gaze had locked onto Evelyn the moment he entered. His chest tightened seeing the exhaustion lining her face.

Meanwhile, Evelyn's shoulders slumped as she noticed Victoria entering with Liam. Only two people had access to the hydronium research—her and Liam.

The documents hadn't come from her. That left one possibility, though she refused to jump to conclusions about how or why.

"Mr. Graves," Liam said casually, "who were you planning to terminate?"

Theodore eagerly handed over the files. "General, look at this. Cassandra's so-called 'research' is just fabricated data. She's contributed nothing to any projects—just collecting a government paycheck while lazing about."

Liam skimmed the documents before returning them. "Follow protocol in handling this matter."

With the General's implicit backing, Theodore stood taller, smugness radiating off him.

Evelyn stared at Liam, betrayal flashing in her eyes. His motives were a complete mystery to her.