The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call ( Wynter Quinnell )

Chapter 1721 Patient Zero

A short while later, the nurses who followed Nigel gathered in the decontamination chamber.

Nigel spoke to them with a solemn tone. "After I leave, you must do your best to care for every patient. As medical professionals, we must have the heart of a parent for them. I believe in all of you. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to ask me.

"In times like this, we, the medical staff, must be at the frontline. You're young, and maybe you've never experienced such things before. But now, life has changed. From a peaceful existence, you must now bear the weight of responsibility."

The nurses' eyes glistened with unshed tears. Nigel had always been dedicated to his work, and every patient at the hospital praised him as a miracle doctor.

"Dr. Alistair, we won't feel confident without you. We have a leader when you're here, and we know your abilities."

"Please don't leave, Dr. Alistair. We'll fall apart without you."

"We've been learning from you since we entered the hospital. We know it's for our own good when you're strict with us. After all, a single mistake in this field could cost a life. We may not always hear you say it, but we understand."

"We'll go beg the dean for you."

Nigel waved his hand. "No need. Take care of the patients here, and protect yourselves. Remember to wear an additional mask under your protective gear. The situation may pass quickly, or it may drag on longer than we expect. No one can say for sure, but you must look after yourselves."

The young nurse was the most upset, and the others seemed disheartened as well.

But Nigel didn't just gather them to say these things. More importantly, this was the only place in the hospital where they could avoid the surveillance cameras.

"Who's local here?" Nigel asked.

Four of them raised their hands.

Nigel narrowed his eyes. "Remember not to go home. Stay at the hospital if you need to rest. Listen very carefully to what I have to say next. The virus source is still unclear, the transmission method is unknown, and there may be a Patient Zero.

"It's possible... No, it's already clear that human-to-human transmission has occurred. There's no specific cure yet, and the results of treatment are uncertain, as you can see. So, stay safe."

The medical staff in the room understood the gravity of his words. Every phrase and word pointed to one grim possibility-they too might be infected.

"Dr. Alistair, I... I just started my internship this year. The higher-ups have started developing a cure after learning about this, right?"

Faced with their hopeful looks, Nigel couldn't bring himself to say the truth.

The higher-ups probably didn't know about this yet because those below were suppressing it, afraid to report the situation. Not only that, but they had silenced him, too.

Nigel spoke slowly. "For those of you who are local, after I leave, wait for ten minutes before sending a message home. Tell your families to take precautions and avoid public transportation.

"For those who aren't from here, just send a message to your families, tell them you're safe, and remind them to buy masks, disinfectants, bleach, and fever medicine."

Nigel looked at them before continuing, "Remember, only after I've sent my message can you send yours."

"Dr. Alistair, are you trying to take all the responsibility?" the young nurse suddenly shouted. "If you send it before we send ours, it won't count as leaking confidential information on our part, and we won't be responsible!"

Nigel smiled. "You're overthinking. Just remember what I said..."

"Before the dawn comes, there is indeed darkness. But we are doctors, and doctors dare to snatch lives from the hands of death!" the group of young medical students shouted in unison.

Nigel raised his hand but refrained from patting their shoulders. Instead, he smiled and said, "As expected of the ones I've trained. These patients... I'll leave them to you.

Nigel left the hospital without looking back after saying what needed to be said.

Those who stayed behind felt conflicted, but they knew what was more important. The youngest nurse was banned from entering patient rooms and could only stay outside. The others would care for the critically ill patients.

The phrase "medicine has a legacy" took on a tangible form at this moment.

After leaving the hospital, Nigel didn't go home. He didn't know if he had been infected, so he avoided taking the elevator and used the stairs instead, just in case he might unknowingly infect regular patients.

He was indeed the first to send a message, and it was to his wife.

His phone rang almost immediately. "What's going on? Why are you telling me to stay home and not go out? What do you mean even our daughter won't be going to school? What is happening? We've listened to you and have disinfectant at home, haven't we?

"Since you've always said that our daughter has a weak immune system and that Dad and Mom have pre-existing conditions, we've been maintaining good hygiene and washing our hands often."

"Good, you remember what I said." Nigel chuckled softly. "Darling... I know it's been tough on you all these years."

His wife, Elowyn Kelda, sensed something was off. "What's going on? Did something happen at the hospital? Or are you dealing with trouble from the patients' families again?"

"It's nothing. How could there be that much disturbance from patients?" Nigel reassured her. "The hospital is just going to be especially busy for a while. I might need to stay there for another two weeks."

Immediately, Elowyn asked, "Do you need me to bring you some clothes?"

"Don't come to the hospital!"

Nigel reacted so strongly that there was a brief silence on the other end.

"Okay, I won't go," Elowyn replied softly.

Nigel's voice became more urgent. "Make sure you have all the necessary medications at home. It's fine if our daughter misses school for a few days. But if anyone gets sick, avoid contact and wear masks. If possible, don't go outside."

Elowyn wanted to ask more but was interrupted by Nigel, tears in his eyes despite his smile, "Darling, I'm sorry that I couldn't give you what you deserve. Your friends' husbands are all

better than me.

"I'm not good at handling things, I'm clumsy with my words, I don't earn much, and I haven't been promoted much. But you've never seemed to mind. The hospital review... I might disappoint you again."

Elowyn let out a relieved sigh. "I thought something serious had happened. I didn't expect it to be about some promotion. So what if you didn't get it? I know for a fact my husband is the best with his patients.

"We don't need to compare ourselves with others. What's the point of that? You're the best

in my eyes."

Nigel knew Elowyn was trying to comfort him. Whenever he was discouraged about his slow career progress, she was always there to cheer him up.

"Darling, I'm leaving my parents to you..." He knew he couldn't talk any longer without breaking down. "Please don't come to the hospital. Wait for me to come back."

And with that, he ended the call. He had said his part to his family, and now the others could contact their families to let them know they were safe.

However, after making the calls, they didn't really know what else to say other than what Nigel had instructed.

If they said too much, their families would likely notice something was off. Yet, if they said too little, this might be their last opportunity to communicate.

The youngest nurse was the most straightforward and composed among them. She reminded her mother to buy all the necessary supplies, even if they were expensive-money was the least of her concerns now.

However, once she hung up the phone, she stared at it, and her shoulders started trembling slightly. "Mom... I'm scared..."

How could she not be scared? They were humans, too. Watching the patients' deteriorating conditions and hearing about those who were taken away and immediately cremated, left

them shaken.

They saw Nigel leave, completing his final duty for them in his own way.

It wasn't that they didn't sense anything. After all, there had been 12 patients in the ward, but now, only four remained.

The nurses weren't sure what to expect next. Sometimes, it was the unknown that scared

people the most.

However, her fear was completely understandable. After all, it was clear that once Nigel left, the place would be entirely turned into an isolation zone.

The cafeteria staff, who used to personally deliver meals to them, no longer did so. Instead,

the food was simply placed outside the elevator on the first floor, and they were expected to pick it up themselves.

It wasn't just one department-the entire building, which had originally been abandoned, was now completely quarantined.

Some had already cracked under the pressure. "I should have left with Dr. Alistair!"

"And how exactly would you leave? Look at the people stationed outside, watching this

building. Besides, Dr. Alistair didn't leave because he wanted to. If it were up to him, he would've stayed," another responded.

The two doctors were sharing their thoughts when suddenly, the piercing sound of an alarm

shattered the brief quiet.

"Patient in bed 07! Patient in bed 07 is having difficulty breathing!"

The medical staff, who were eating, immediately sprang to their feet.

Meanwhile, Nigel wore a mask and stuck to areas devoid of people. He couldn't stay in the

hospital-not only was it crowded, but Lennon had also made it clear that his presence was

unwelcome.

Having sent out a message, he knew it wouldn't be long before Lennon sent someone after

him.

Lennon's words echoed in his mind, and he muttered to himself bitterly, "Is it wrong to

trace the source? How can we prevent this or even warn the public without finding Patient Zero? Doesn't everyone deserve the right to know?"

Lost in thought, he found himself at a crosswalk. Without even glancing at the traffic lights,

he stepped forward.

A superbike approached at a steady speed from the side-it was none other than Wynter and

Dalton.

Nigel was so deep in thought that he didn't hear Wynter honking at him and continued walking without a care of the world around him.

Sensing something was wrong, Wynter stopped the bike.

After he successfully crossed the street with a disoriented and dazed appearance, Wynter approached him and asked, "Why aren't you paying attention to the traffic lights?"

Her voice broke through Nigel's daze. He instinctively adjusted his mask and stepped back a

few paces. "I'm sorry," he mumbled before continuing on his way. Dalton, who had also noticed something amiss, suggested, "Let's follow him."

So, they parked the bike and started trailing him.

Wynter was puzzled. "His soul is intact, but the way he's acting... it's like he's lost his spirit."

Determined, she tugged at Dalton's hand and caught up to Nigel. "Excuse me, is something wrong?"

Nigel instinctively stepped back, keeping his distance. "Please don't get too close to me."

The moment he said this, a flicker of realization crossed Wynter's face. "Is it because you're

sick?" Hearing this, Nigel's gaze sharpened. "I'm not sure yet. But to be safe, I think it's better to maintain some distance."

Wynter asked in confusion, "Then why not get checked at a hospital? I can take you there if needed."

The mention of the hospital stirred something deep within Nigel, but he quickly suppressed it. "I am a doctor," he replied, though the pride that once accompanied those words was now tinged with bitterness.

"Why don't we find a place to sit down and talk? Maybe I can help you," Wynter suggested.

Nigel sighed. "No one can help me. You should focus on yourself. Colifernia isn't safe right now." He turned to leave right after his words.

Wynter replied immediately, "I'm the head of Colifernia's Investigation Unit. Why don't we

have a talk?"

"No, I might already be infected. It's better if you don't come into contact with me," Nigel

said resolutely.

Wynter reached out and placed her fingers on his wrist. "You're not infected. Your pulse is steady. What you need most right now is to talk or to rest."

Hearing this, Nigel's eyes regained some light. He wanted to pour his heart out, but he

couldn't go home to Elowyn, fearing he might carry the virus. Hence, hearing that he wasn't infected, he was overjoyed.

"Wait... but how can you be sure I'm not infected?" Nigel had to ask.

Wynter didn't hesitate. "Because I'm also a doctor. Maybe you've heard of me I'm Dr.

Miracle."

"You're Dr. Miracle?" Nigel exclaimed. "Dr. Miracle is... a woman?"

He wanted to dismiss her as a fraud, but Wynter's next words rooted him to the spot.

"This illness might be related to animal virus research. That's why I wanted to talk to you first and learn more about the situation."

Hearing this, Nigel's skepticism melted away. Without another word, he followed Wynter

into a nearby

café.

Once seated, Nigel spoke first. "I'm the deputy director of the Infectious Diseases Department at the hospital near here. We thought it was just a regular cold when the first

patient was brought in.

"The symptoms weren't severe he just complained of chest tightness and shortness of

breath. But soon, things changed. No matter what medications we used, his condition didn't

improve. "Then came the second patient, the third... and then the 12th. None of them responded to treatment. Even when the fever subsided, their symptoms persisted.

"I suspect human-to-human transmission. As of now, we still haven't identified the pathogen, and patients have already started dying.

"In the meeting with my higher-ups earlier, I suggested regional lockdowns and tracing the outbreak's source. But they dismissed my concerns, claiming I was overreacting. "But I know the truth. The transmission rate could be as high as 80 percent -maybe higher. Even protective gear might not be enough to prevent infection. All I want is for the

even

public to have the right to know and to trace this outbreak's source so we can stop it in its tracks."

Wynter's eyes narrowed slightly. She had just sent an order to investigate hospitals and hold meetings with their representatives, yet not a single hospital had disclosed the existence of such an illness.