The Wrong Woman

Early in the morning, someone knocked on the door.

Nathan stirred awake and glanced at the peacefully sleeping Suzanne. Hurriedly, he lifted the covers and got out of bed.

He then headed toward the door.

“General…” Cole was about to greet Nathan, but the latter looked serious as he made a slow and hushed gesture with his finger, indicating to Cole not to make any noise.

Cole was taken aback, wondering when Nathan became so

considerate.

Nathan looked back at Suzanne to ensure she wasn’t disturbed, before slowly walking out and gently closing the door behind him.

Once again, Cole was dumbfounded, unable to process this attentive side of Nathan.

After closing the door, Nathan lowered his voice and said, “It’s so early. What’s the matter?”

Cole thought to himself that it was already past seven in the mo -wasn’t that considered late? Nathan was usually up by seven morning exercises.

However, he kept his questions to himself and quickly got to the point. “General Morrison, we found the chemistry researcher.”

At the news, Nathan’s eyes flickered with an imperceptible

excitement.

“I’ll change my clothes,” he said, immediately heading back into the

room.

TA

Cole stood outside, still in a state of bewilderment. He couldn’t figure out why Nathan, who didn’t seem to like Suzanne, often ended up. sleeping in the same bed with her.

Five minutes later, Nathan changed into a black military uniform,

striding confidently toward the room temporarily designated for interrogation.

Inside the room sat an elderly man with white hair, thick black-framed glasses, and a somewhat haggard appearance.

Having been interrogated for more than an hour, he seemed

exhausted. When he saw Nathan, however, he immediately

straightened his back.

Not wanting to beat around the bush any longer, the old man said, General Morrison, I know you want the hydronium. Take it; I don’t want anything in return. Just spare my life.” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Nathan picked up the documents and sat across from him.

“Dr. Howard, the hydronium isn’t the only thing I want. I want to know about ‘Winkler’ and how to find him.”

The old man, Alan Howard, pushed his glasses up and thought f moment. He then sighed and replied, “I don’t know where to start.

Nathan pointed at the small black glass bottle on the table. “Wh did you get this?”

“George has been my colleague for decades. I saved his life once, a he repaid me with this bottle of hydronium,” Alan explained.

“Who is George?”

“He was Mila’s assistant and the only person in the world who ha seen her. But he’s dead now.”

Nathan was astonished. “Mila?”

”

Meanwhile, Cole quickly took out a notebook to record this breakthrough information.

Alan nodded with a helpless expression and a bitter smile.

“Yes, Mila Winkler, the genius researcher who developed hydronium. She’s a very young and beautiful girl.”

Nathan looked agitated upon hearing this-a look of disbelief

plastered on his face. All the researchers he had come across were older, hence he always thought “Winkler” was around the same age as Alan.

Cole stared at Alan and said sternly, “You’d better answer me truthfully. You know the consequences of trying to trick us.”

Nervously adjusting his glasses, Alan looked at Cole sincerely. “Sir, everything I’ve said is the truth. Although I never met Mila, George

often talked about her.

“George was our research institute’s most brilliant chemistry researcher. He participated in many world- renowned projects and received numerous honors. His knowledge is extensive.

“As an accomplished chemist, he was dissatisfied with serving mere assistant to a young girl. That’s why he stole two bottles of hydronium from Mila. He took one and gave me the other.”