Chapter 48 The Exposure

The woman reluctantly handed the child over to Clara.

After confirming the body temperature display, Clara administered a fever-reducing shot first. "Our school is running a charity event to support national policies."

"So, we'll be offering free blood tests as part of our health checks. Please cooperate fully. If any of my colleagues make a mistake, feel free to come to me."

Clara's serious demeanor seemed to radiate authority, leaving Matthew trailing behind her momentarily awestruck.

Hearing about the free check-ups, the villagers who had been angry moments ago now wore smiles.

After all, free things were hard to pass up.

The other three, relieved that Clara had quickly dismissed the villagers, couldn't help but feel a bit resentful.

But they dared not show it.

"Thank you, Clara. It's our first field assignment, so we're a bit rusty..." Julia spoke up, leading with an apology.

But her eyes kept darting towards Matthew, who stood beside the woman.

"Did you learn anything in school?"

Clara frowned sternly. "Mistakes like this shouldn't happen again, or I'll have you sent back at any time."

Handling a basic task like drawing blood shouldn't be this difficult for them.

If something happened later, she couldn't trust these few.

"I... I understand," Julia murmured, taken aback by Clara's lack of leniency, obediently nodding.

She thought acting pitiful might catch Matthew's attention, but he didn't even spare her a glance.

"I'll take you there first," Matthew said expressionlessly, pushing the wheelchair past the others.

He didn't want Clara to keep useless people like her around.

But since Clara didn't object, it wasn't his place to say anything.

Clara walked away, casting a sidelong glance at the three gathered behind her. "These people are probably just here to earn credits."

Matthew's eyes darkened. "Then maybe I should send them back when I leave later?"

Sighing irritably at the large queue waiting for their check-ups, Clara replied, "No need. Keep them for now. My team will arrive later than expected."

Matthew nodded silently in response to her decision.

After escorting Clara to the makeshift blood-drawing area, Matthew stood and prepared to leave with David.

"Mr. Garcia!"

A soft voice called out just as Matthew took a few steps away.

He frowned and turned back, his expression turning colder as he recognized who had caught up to him.

"Mr. Garcia, I'm Julia Bell from the Bell family. We'll be participating in the next exhibition, and I believe our cooperation could..."

Julia started, but Matthew's icy voice cut her off.

"Which Bell family are you talking about?"

His distant tone left Julia stunned in place, her smile fading instantly.

"Ms. Bell, there's more than one Bell family in Halcyon Bay. I don't know you, and if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Matthew was accustomed to dealing with people like Julia, especially the naked ambition in her gaze when she looked at him, reminding him of Clara's clear-eyed determination.

Pausing again, he stopped in his tracks.

Behind Matthew, Julia's face lit up once more as he turned around.

"Ms. Bell, I recall you are here to assist, right? Since you're short-handed at the blood drawing station, Ms. Bell, perhaps you should focus on your own duties first."

Julia's smile froze completely.

She clenched her hands by her side, staring fixedly at Matthew's retreating figure.

She knew exactly why Matthew had suddenly spoken like that.

It was all because of that bitch Clara.

She was just pretty.

In this sea of unexpected variables, who knew how long that face would hold up?

Thinking this, Julia concealed her resentment and returned to the queue not far away, her eyes fixed on the blood-drawing area surrounded by villagers.

Clara glanced discreetly in the direction Julia had returned from, finding it somewhat amusing.

It seemed her ex-husband was quite charming.

Meanwhile, Sharon looked down at the sobbing girl in her arms, feeling uneasy but unsure what to do. "As for Mr. Andrew, there's not much I can do. But you should go with Matthew to the upcoming banquet. I'll handle it, and you must seize this opportunity."

Lillian was taken aback by Sharon's words.

Frowning with worry, she straightened up from Sharon's embrace. "But if Matthew finds out about this, won't it..."

Seeing Lillian hesitate, Sharon felt a twinge of disappointment.

She was about to say something when suddenly, a figure dashed in from outside.

"Sharon, you've got to help me! I fear I might truly die at your son's hands this time." Nathan, in his forties with a hefty frame that somehow managed to look repulsive even in motion, was now sprawled on the floor, tears streaming.

Lillian couldn't help but furrow her brow, a hint of displeasure evident in her eyes.

Why him?

"What about my son? What nonsense are you spewing here?" Sharon frowned, clearly disdainful of Nathan's dramatic antics.

"The factory... they've found out about the factory."

Nathan was frantic as if he were on hot coals, disregarding Lillian's presence and blurting out the news.

"Shut up!"

Sharon snapped harshly, glaring fiercely at her foolish brother rolling around on the floor.

She then turned to smile at Lillian. "Lillian, go home and think about what I said. If you agree, I'll lend you a hand."

Lillian understood that Sharon was dismissing Nathan, and she left with a discerning eye.

However, she kept an ace up her sleeve.

As soon as Lillian stepped out, she grabbed her phone and arranged for an investigation into this matter.

As Lillian walked away, Sharon grabbed Nathan by the ear and hoisted him up. "Didn't you see we have company? Keep your mouth shut here."

"The factory was already moved. What's there to fear about being discovered? We haven't done anything illegal." Sharon sat back on the sofa casually.

After saying her piece, she noticed Nathan didn't respond.

She looked up suspiciously, finding Nathan's face betraying guilt and anxiety, causing her heart to skip a beat.

Sharon, who had known her brother since childhood, understood exactly what that expression meant.

Slamming her hand on the table, she stood up trembling with anger, demanding, "Nathan, you idiot, what have you done?"

Nathan, too guilty to meet Sharon's eyes, hesitated, unsure whether to come clean.

Suddenly, a new figure appeared at the door.

"How dare he speak?"