The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 571

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**Military 571**
**Chapter 571: Shared Destiny**

Julius leaned in closer, enveloping her in a gentle embrace that felt both protective and fragile. His arms quivered slightly, as if he were afraid that even the slightest miscalculation in his hold could hurt the woman who had just pledged to safeguard their lives.

“You must keep that promise,” he murmured softly, his breath warm against her hair. “Please, remember what you vowed today. You cannot let anything harm you, no matter what happens.”

“All right,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Pressing her cheek against the sturdy wall of his chest, she could hear the frantic, uneven rhythm of his heartbeat, a desperate drumming that spoke volumes of his fear—a fear of a future that might exist without her presence.

In that moment, it became painfully clear to her that every decision they made from now on would require meticulous care, especially with the knowledge that Julius’ father, Joaquin, had just been released from custody.

She lifted her gaze, her brow furrowing slightly. “How is Laura?” Quinn asked, her voice laced with concern, the edges softened by worry.

“She’s safe,” Julius assured her, his tone steady. “Once she confirmed that you and the baby were out of danger, she left to take care of other pressing matters. I’ll have Dr. Huxley give her a call shortly to let her know you’re awake.”

Quinn let out a long, relieved breath. “I’m glad she’s unharmed. Still, I never imagined her stepmother would go so far as to attempt to throw acid in public.”

The mere thought of that corrosive liquid striking Laura sent shivers down her spine. The consequences would have been unimaginable, a nightmare that could have shattered lives.

“What if she was acting on someone else’s orders?” Julius interjected suddenly, his voice cutting through her thoughts.

Quinn blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. “What are you suggesting?”

“Laura’s stepmother might have been hypnotized. The hospital is conducting final tests to verify,” Julius explained, his expression grave.

After a brief silence, Quinn murmured, “Does this have anything to do with your father?”

He locked eyes with her, and in that shared gaze, they both understood the implications. “I suspect it does. I’ve already dispatched Fabian to look into it. For the time being, focus on your recovery. Stay away from the office.”

Quinn nodded, a sense of determination settling over her. “Okay.”

Given her current condition, she truly needed to prioritize rest and a peaceful environment. Recklessness was not an option, especially when it came to the unpredictable threat posed by Joaquin Whitethorn.

Joaquin was no ordinary foe. Engaging with him here would prove to be far more challenging than their previous encounters back in Celosia.

If he intended to strike against her, she knew that caution would have to become her closest ally.

As night fell, a shroud of muted blues enveloped the hospital. Quinn slept soundly on the bed, while Julius quietly slipped into the corridor. At the door, he turned to the guards stationed outside, his voice firm. “Do not take your eyes off Mrs. Whitethorn.”

“Yes, sir,” the guard replied promptly, a look of determination crossing his face.

Julius had meticulously established a series of concentric security layers around the entire ward, each one thicker and more impenetrable than the last.

Fabian approached him, handing over a slim dossier with a serious expression. “The hospital has confirmed it. Sylvia Sanders was indeed hypnotized. Before she entered Azure Technologies, she visited a mall, and at that exact moment, the hypnotist Sharon Lanchester was also present.”