[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603221E34AF-88":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},88,2,"Chapter 2: \"Genevieve, Let's Go Home.\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">All eyes followed the sound. Standing in the doorway was a tall, lean man, his gaze steady and composed behind a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was still in his crisp, white lab coat, clearly having rushed over straight from the research facility.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When our eyes met, I blinked, momentarily caught off guard.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He offered a faint, gentle smile. \"Genevieve, let’s go home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A ripple of hushed whispers surged through the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Isn't that the lead engineer from the military research division? The youngest one they've ever had?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So he’s the journalist’s fiancé? What a perfect couple!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I stood up and offered a polite nod to the room. \"Forgive me, I have to step away.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">From the moment I turned my back, I could feel a piercing, heavy stare burning into my skin, but I didn't look back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just as I reached the exit of the banquet hall, Roman’s voice sliced through the air like a blade. \"Genevieve Hunter!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I slowed my pace, pausing just long enough to glance over my shoulder. \"Is there something else, General Armstrong?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His expression was thunderous, his dark eyes swirling with barely contained rage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sabrina stepped forward, flashing me a saccharine smile. \"My promotion ceremony is starting shortly. General Armstrong is coming to celebrate with me—won't you join us, Genevieve?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I cast a fleeting look at Roman, who remained deathly silent, then shook my head. \"No, thank you. Congratulations on the promotion, but I have other matters to attend to.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Without another word, I walked out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I felt his gaze trailing me, sharp enough to draw blood, until I finally slipped into the passenger seat of the Jeep and the engine roared to life, shielding me from his view.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I buckled my seatbelt and turned to the driver. \"Thank you, William.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">William Graham shifted the car into gear, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. \"Don't mention it. I was finishing up at the lab and happened to be passing by.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I offered a polite smile, choosing not to pry. He, too, was perceptive enough to keep the silence, merely asking, \"Where to? I'll drop you off.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I gave him the address.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The drive was short. Before I stepped out of the car, William pulled out his phone.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let's exchange contact info.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I paused for a second, then he chuckled softly. \"In case you ever need a favor—or a getaway driver.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I nodded, scanning his QR code to sync our messages.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I turned and walked into the apartment complex. It was the home Roman and I had applied for when we first married. It wasn't large, but it held seven years of my life—years filled with anticipation and quiet joy. Back when duty allowed, we used to sit in the living room, debating the latest headlines and analyzing the shifting political tides.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But now, Roman rarely stepped foot here.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As soon as I walked through the door, my phone erupted in a frenzy of notifications. It was a call from Joseph, our editor-in-chief.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Genevieve! Drop everything and get on the military internal forum right now!\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272923880]