Chapter 186 Unmasking the Hypocrite

Chapter 186 Unmasking the Hypocrite

Kieran froze for half a second, then his expression hardened. Without a word, he walked past, leaving Zara standing there with her smile faltering into an awkward knot. The brightness in her eyes dimmed, and she pressed her fingers into the hem of her jacket.

Olivia, on her way out of the office, caught the scene from the corner of her eye. Zara's gaze was still fixed on Kieran's retreating back, a mix of hope and quiet humiliation flickering across her face. 

Olivia's brow arched. So, another one chasing after Kieran. The man never seemed short of admirers.

She stepped closer, her tone deceptively casual. "Dr. Jenkins, did you come to the Special Operations Unit looking for romance?"

Zara's head snapped up, her expression flustered. She shook her hands quickly. "No, Ms. Smith. I'm here for work."

Olivia's smile didn't reach her eyes. "If you like Kieran, you should know he's already in love with someone else. They're past the point of casual dating — they're talking about marriage. If you're trying to wedge yourself in now, that makes you the other woman. Take a look at that uniform you're wearing. Does that look like the uniform of someone fit to wear a badge?"

Color drained from Zara's face. Everyone in the unit knew about Kieran and Gwyneth. Even she had to know chasing him was a fool's errand.

"Ms. Smith, do you have to be so harsh? I heard Kieran already broke up with Gwyneth. Why can't I try?"

Olivia's laugh was sharp. "Dr. Jenkins, don't say I didn't warn you. Kieran is not a man you want to cross. Ask around. Find out what happened to the last woman who tried to cling to him."

She turned and walked away. She hadn't planned to involve herself, but when it came to Gwyneth, she wasn't about to stand aside. She found Kieran in the corridor.

"Kieran, this is a professional unit. I expect your personal life not to interfere with our work."

He blinked, genuinely confused. "What are you talking about, Olivia? How am I interfering?"

"Our new doctor, Dr. Jenkins, has been telling people you're in a relationship with her — even calling herself your fiancée."

Kieran's mouth fell open. "What? That's insane. I don't have a fiancée."

Olivia didn't bother arguing. She simply took him to the cafeteria, where they found a quiet corner to sit together.

"Dr. Jenkins," someone asked curiously, "you and Kieran have known each other a long time?"

Zara nodded eagerly. "Yes. We grew up in the same compound. We even had an arranged marriage when we were kids."

Olivia's eyebrows lifted, and she glanced at Kieran. His jaw was tight, his eyes cold.

"But Kieran's in love with Gwyneth. Why would he marry you?"

Zara's lips curled in disdain. "From what I've heard, Gwyneth's nothing but a tomboy. She's not worthy of him."

That was enough to set off the nearby soldiers. One stood up, voice sharp. "Gwyneth's in the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. Do you have any idea how few women make it there?"

Another chimed in. "Exactly. And we've never once heard Kieran say he had a fiancée. He's always been into Gwyneth. He even went overseas on a rescue mission for her. Sounds like you're making things up."

Zara's face flushed. "I… I'm just repeating what my family told me."

Kieran's patience snapped. "Dr. Jenkins, I don't even know your first name. An arranged marriage? Ridiculous. You're a police officer — you should know slander is illegal. Especially this kind of baseless claim. Are you trying to get yourself arrested?"

Olivia, without a word, lifted her phone and recorded the exchange.

When Gwyneth got the message, she had just returned home from the hospital. She saw the video and immediately grabbed her keys.

"Gwyneth, you just got back. Where are you going?" Autumn called after her.

"Catching a cheater," Gwyneth shot back over her shoulder. "If I'm late, I'll miss the fun."

She arrived at the cafeteria at a near sprint, slipping quietly into the seat beside Olivia.

"Well?" she whispered. "What's the score?"

Olivia smirked. "Childhood acquaintance, supposedly here to rekindle some long-lost romance. Only your Kieran seems completely unaware."

Gwyneth's laugh was cold. "Since when is he mine? I don't go for two-timing jerks."

Kieran, sensing eyes on him, turned — and lit up when he saw her. But when he faced Zara again, the warmth vanished.

"Dr. Jenkins," he said flatly, "I'll be filing a formal complaint. You spread lies in the Special Operations Unit, you'll face the consequences."

Zara's hands trembled. "Kieran, I just like you. Is that a crime?"

"It is when I don't like you," he shot back. "In fact, I don't even know you. If I had to take responsibility for every stranger who claimed to like me, it would be absurd. This is a disciplined unit, not your gossip playground."

He turned on his heel and went straight to Gwyneth's side. "You're here without telling me? What do you want to eat? I'll get it for you."

She gave him a cool look. "You don't know what I like?"

"Of course I do. Wait here."

He returned with two trays — braised short ribs and poached white fish — carrying them like fragile treasure. "Eat first. I'll get you some fruit."

Gwyneth dug in without ceremony. Olivia stared at her. "That's it? You're just letting him off?"

"I never said that," Gwyneth replied calmly. "Eat now. Punish later."

Olivia laughed despite herself.

Zara left in tears, calling her high-ranking father. But Kieran wasn't the type to be intimidated. He wrote a detailed report and sent it straight to the top.

By that afternoon, Zara was removed from her post. Even her father faced questioning.

Later, Kieran found Gwyneth. His voice was steady. "You should know — there's only you. I would never betray us."