The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1801

“Damn, occupational exposure…”

Dr. David’s face turned stone-cold. He shot a sharp look at his assistant, who was still standing like a statue. “Why are you just standing there? Grab the alcohol and iodine.”

“Yes, doctor.” The assistant finally snapped back to reality and sprinted toward the supply room.

“How does the International Medical Alliance even manage its staff? Who let a patient with narcolepsy syndrome walk around with a syringe?”

“I’m so sorry,” the nurse in charge stepped out, voice shaky. “There are just so many patients… we’re struggling to keep up.”

“Black, I’m really sorry.”

Everyone went silent, like the air itself stopped moving. Faces around the room turned blank and pale, a heavy tension settling over them. No doctor wanted to deal with occupational exposure, especially when a contaminated needle was involved.

Charlotte’s brow furrowed. She moved quickly into the treatment room, turned on the faucet, and held her finger under the cold stream. Then she brought up her other hand, squeezing the skin around the puncture, pushing the blood out, hoping to get as much of it clear as she could.

“Alcohol, iodine…”

Head down, eyes shadowed, it was impossible to read her face. Her voice, though, was so quiet and low it felt almost dangerous.

It took more than fifteen minutes for the bleeding to finally stop. From how hard she’d pressed, a dark bruise was already blooming on her delicate arm.

“Lottie…” Dr. David stood by her, looking even older than usual, his face pale and tense. It was as if the room itself had turned cold. “Can you take the medication you developed?”

“The medicine’s only for patients with symptoms,” Charlotte said, turning to him. She braced her hands on the sink, her expression tight. “How long does it usually take to get a diagnosis?”

“Five days,” replied the International Medical Alliance team leader, his voice flat.

“So, starting now, I could be infected with narcolepsy syndrome, but I just haven’t shown symptoms yet, right?”

“About Anthony…”

At the mention of her husband, Charlotte’s hand curled into a tight fist. For a second, something flickered in her usually calm expression. “Let me think. I’ll let him know after I’ve figured things out.”

Dr. David couldn’t bring himself to say anything. Before they came here, Anthony had warned him over and over. He’d promised—sworn—that nothing would happen to Charlotte.

But it had only been a few days.

What if she really was infected? How was he supposed to tell Anthony? Or face the entire Gates family?

The next two days passed quietly. Charlotte stayed in her room, keeping a close eye on her body for any changes, while helping the Alliance team analyze medical data.

One afternoon, while she was sitting on the sofa in a daze, her phone lit up with an incoming video call.