Chapter 905:
Lucinda leaned in, voice full of energy and irritation. “They say she’s insanely gorgeous. Like, movie-premiere-level gorgeous. And get this—they’re calling her his girlfriend. I mean, please. No way she’s better looking than you. These guys need their eyes checked.”
The word “girlfriend” hit a nerve. Nola’s gaze flickered, cool and unreadable. Still, she played it cool and kept her tone even. “Lucinda, don’t be like that. Everyone has different tastes.”
“I’m just being real,” Lucinda shot back, ticking things off on her fingers. “You’re brilliant, gorgeous, totally grounded. Even Commander Rayne thinks you’re something special. But then, Major General Garrett goes for some random woman instead of you? Doesn’t even make sense.”
For a moment, Nola’s expression darkened. The nerve of this clueless Lucinda, implying Kason wasn’t interested in her! He was just slow to catch on. Once she gave him a little push, he’d fallen head over heels in love with her—no doubt about that.
Oblivious to the shift in Nola’s expression, Lucinda continued, “And you’re close with the Healer! Honestly, that woman doesn’t even belong in the same conversation as you.”
That was enough to lift Nola’s mood, even if just a little.
“You give me too much credit.” Nola’s lips curved into a soft, practiced smile. Gracefully, she stood and headed for the exit. She needed to get a look at what kind of woman was trying to win over Kason.
At first glance, the soldiers at Azure Dragon Unit Base appeared to be focused on their drills. In truth, every sidelong glance and muffled whisper was about one thing—Kason and Elena.
Rumors had taken off like wildfire in the chat groups, each message more breathless than the last.
“Major General Garrett just escorted that woman to the eighth floor of the research institute!”
“Major General Garrett and that woman are on the training field now!”
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“Update! Major General Garrett and the woman are in the cafeteria!”
Nola scrolled through the latest thread with narrowed eyes. Pausing at a hallway mirror, she took a moment to smooth down her hair, adjusted the angle of her blouse, and made sure every detail was in place before striding toward the cafeteria.
Meanwhile, Elena had already gotten a pretty solid grasp of the layout around the Azure Dragon Unit Base.
Once she stepped into the cafeteria, Charlette glanced around and said, “We’ve been walking all over the place. Let’s grab something to eat before I collapse.”
Unlike the plain mess halls at most military installations, this one had an upgraded, polished feel—well-stocked, well-lit, and catering to all palates.
Kason moved ahead without a word and stepped up to the counter to place orders for Elena and Charlette.
Elena and Charlette drifted to a nearby empty table and took their seats, thinking nothing of it.
Barely had they settled in when a voice cut through the room.
“Excuse me, are you blind or just brainless? This is our table.”
Standing before them, Lucinda glared down with crossed arms and a look that screamed superiority.
Charlette, unfazed, leaned back in her chair. Her emerald green dress hugged every curve, and the red lipstick made her look like she’d just stepped out of a magazine spread.
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