After Rebirth, I Refused to Marry the Major, and He Panicked Chapter 04

After Rebirth, I Refused to Marry the Major, and He Panicked Chapter 04

I stared at him like he’d lost his mind.

Colt mistook my silence for hesitation. A self-satisfied smile curled his lip.

But Margaret suddenly rushed forward, gripping my arm, tears streaming down her face.

“Dr. Vance, since Colt has already taken his antidote, please—please save Reid!”

She promised that if I married Reid, he would never look at another woman; I would have full control of their household.

Her words tumbled out in a desperate rush, as if she feared I might vanish before she finished.

The general didn’t stop her. He just watched me, his gaze deep and unreadable.

Interesting.

The general and Margaret believed I was real.

Colt and Penelope were convinced I was a fake.

After a long silence, the general spoke, his voice measured.

“If you insist on marrying Dr. Shaw, I won’t oppose it.”

“But if your toxin flares, the family’s military resource succession and trust fund management will automatically transfer to your cousin Reid.”

The smugness vanished from Colt’s face. His eyes went wide, then narrowed with fury.

He whirled on me. “Elena! What did you do to my grandfather?!”

I pushed his hand away, annoyed. “I’m not a psychiatrist. And I’m certainly no ‘scientist’ like Dr. Shaw.”

Colt couldn’t bear losing his inheritance, and he couldn’t bear the thought of me choosing someone else. His jaw tightened, his voice dropping to a venomous snarl.

“Elena! I’m giving you one last chance!”

“Admit you’re a fraud right now, and I’ll let you live quietly on base.”

“Otherwise, when my cousin’s toxin hits, I’ll expose you in public and ruin you.”

Hearing that familiar threat sent a chill through me. The same cold certainty in his voice, the same dismissive cruelty—I’d heard it all before, moments before that needle pierced my neck.

I pushed the memory down and turned away.

I helped Margaret, who was nearly kneeling, back to her feet.

“Alright. I’ll marry Reid Sterling.”

Margaret broke into sobs of joy and immediately rushed to take me to Reid’s quarters.

Before leaving, I glanced at the weary general and offered one final shred of goodwill.

“Mr. Bennet from the Military Science Institute’s Toxin Research Lab is visiting the base. Perhaps he could verify Dr. Shaw’s antidote.”

Penelope shrieked in protest. “Dr. Vance! What are you implying? My research was approved by the ethics committee!”

She spun to Margaret, her voice climbing. “Mrs. Sterling, think carefully! If Elena really had the gift, would she have to settle for Reid?”

“You’d better spend your last few hours finding a real Vance!”

The general’s voice cut through like ice. “Are you questioning my judgment?”

Penelope went pale. Colt stepped in front of her, shielding her from the general’s gaze.

“Grandfather! I trust Penelope’s work—no outside verification is needed!”

Margaret gripped my hand tightly and shot Penelope a cold look. “Dr. Shaw’s ‘science’ still has a long way to go.”

“My son and future daughter-in-law’s business is none of your concern.”

Penelope bit her lip, seething but silent.

Colt, seeing her humiliated, sneered. “Aunt Margaret, you should focus on your own son. Given his background… he might not even qualify to inherit.”

“Enough!” The general slammed the table.

And then, Colt’s face went ashen. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed, convulsing violently.

In the chaos, I noticed the strange cyan veins snaking up his neck, pulsing like living wires beneath his skin.

I let out a soft, unhurried laugh.

“Looks like Dr. Shaw’s miracle antidote… didn’t quite take.”