Chapter 262:
Rylie nodded. “Yes, I just wanted a quick look.”
Hattie asked her to wait by the roadside. “There was a rescue drill this morning, so there are still a lot of people on board. Everyone’s going to greet you once they see you, Miss Owen.”
Rylie looked puzzled. “Why would they do that?”
Hattie smiled knowingly. “Word got out that you’re Mr. Morgan’s girlfriend.” She let out a soft chuckle. “I’ve always wondered what kind of woman our flawless admiral would be into. But if it’s you, I get it.”
Rylie asked, “Why?”
“You carry yourself with grace. And you’re even prettier than the actresses on TV. It’s no wonder Mr. Morgan values someone like you.”
Rylie didn’t believe Brad was the type to fall for appearances alone, so she said nothing and turned her eyes toward the road. The shuttle pulled up.
It was an eight-seater with just two open spots in the back. Hattie waved. “We’ll be riding with the medical team. They’re on their way to the naval ship to prepare for the second half of today’s military exercise.”
“Then will I have time to explore?” Rylie asked.
“You’ll have two hours,” said Hattie. “They’re just setting up for now.”
As soon as the shuttle came to a stop, Rylie stepped on board. Not being in uniform, she immediately drew attention. A few people greeted her politely, but one woman stared at her from head to toe, her eyes cold and sharp.
Rylie caught her gaze and held it until the woman quickly looked away. She leaned toward Hattie and whispered, “Who’s the woman in the first seat, second row?”
“That’s Dr. Candice Nixon,” Hattie whispered back. “She’s in charge of the main fleet. If the admiral’s ever deployed, she’s the one leading the ship. She’s the daughter of the army commander, highly respected. Like Mr. Morgan, she’s fully committed to military service.”
Rylie gave a small nod.
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When they arrived at the harbor, Candice looked directly at Rylie as she stepped off the shuttle. Her expression remained unchanged. “Is that the woman Brad brought aboard?” she asked calmly.
A nearby doctor replied, “Yes. She’s officially registered as his family member. Otherwise, the rumor about Mr. Morgan having a girlfriend wouldn’t have spread so quickly.”
One medical soldier, clearly irritated, muttered under her breath, “With things this tense, how can Brad bring a woman here like it’s a school tour? If anything happens, we’ll be the ones cleaning it up.”
Candice’s voice remained steady as she added, “They say she’s here to review the medical system. Looks like a student. Just make sure she doesn’t break anything.”
Once aboard, Hattie guided Rylie through the deck toward the ship’s medical wing.
Their footsteps echoed along the metal corridors, blending with the sharp calls of soldiers training nearby. The air carried the scent of machine oil mixed with the sea breeze.
The medical unit was located mid-ship, clearly marked with a bold red cross above the entrance.
Inside, Rylie took in the wide, efficient space. The room was organized, surrounded by emergency tools, medicine storage, and foldable beds. Several medics were going through inventory and paused to glance over.
.
.
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