Chapter 157
Chapter 158 Whispers in the Cell Block
Lyra sent her reply quickly, “Alright, thank you p>
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Hadrien messaged her right away, “Nearly finished eating? I can come clear the tray p>
The next morning, the doctor delivered the motorized medical wheelchair as ordered.
Once he dismissed the doctor, Hadrien unpacked the chair and put it together.
He followed the manual step by step, testing every function to check comfort and safety.
Finished
Satisfied that everything worked properly, he wheeled it beside the medical bed and walked Lyra through all its controls.
She had already memorized most of the settings while watching him run the tests.
“Shall we head over now p>
“Sure p>
Hadrien agreed and laid out the cushion. When he turned back, Lyra had already pushed the covers aside and swung her legs over the bed edge.
“Take it slow p>
He stretched out an arm so she could steady herself.
Lyra hesitated briefly, then lightly gripped his forearm. She hopped forward little by little until she settled into the wheelchair.
While she fastened the safety harness, Hadrien tidied up the hospital bed.
She still needed daily wound care, and moving around alone would be difficult, so she would have to stay here overnight.
Hadrien acted completely natural, yet Lyra grew flustered.
He worked fast. By the time she finished typing a message on her Star Brain, he was already done.
Lyra pressed her lips together and stared downwards. She deleted the unfinished text, tapped the controls on the wheelchair armrest, and rolled toward the doorway first.
Hadrien gathered her belongings from the ward and followed behind.
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Chapter 158 Whispers in the Cell Block
The wheelchair was surprisingly clever.
It operated autonomously, much like an open–top self–driving shuttle.
It handled flat floors and elevator rides effortlessly.
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When approaching stairs, its wheels folded inward, letting it descend step by step without the slightest jolt for the passenger.
It also featured an intelligent safety system. If it threatened to tip over, sensors would activate instantly, wrapping the passenger inside a soft, egg–shaped protective shell to prevent further pressure or impact to injuries.
Lyra tilted her head, watching every movement with obvious curiosity.
After rolling down a small flight of stairs, the wheels locked back into place and carried her onward.
Hadrien walked quietly behind, holding her things, ready to intervene at the first sign of trouble.
When they reached Building Three, the temporary replacement attendant was delivering meals to the Sentinels.
The attendant sighed inwardly. He had hoped Lyra’s return would mean he could finally be freed.
Instead… things were still messy.
Hadrien halted the wheelchair and stood silently at the doorway, observing the attendant to make sure he followed protocol.
Lyra almost smiled.
If rules were strictly enforced, she had cut corners countless times on the job, yet he had never once called her out on it.
Every Sentinel looked worn and listless.
It was clear that yesterday’s attack had left their psychic spirits frayed.
“How are you holding up? Did your foot injury flare again p>
Arthur spotted the two figures in the doorway first.
At his question, the temporary attendant realized the lead administrator and Lyra were standing outside. Nervousness washed over him.
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Chapter 158 Whispers in the Cell Block
Hadrien waved a hand. “Carry on p>
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He then pushed Lyra forward into the room as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.
Lyra rolled up in front of the cells. She met their concerned gazes and typed a reply on her Star Brain. “I’m fine. How are all of you p>
Rhys glanced at her heavily bandaged foot and drawled lazily, “We’re managing. None of us got hurt nearly as badly as you p>
He privately thought how fragile she looked, like a strong gust of wind might sweep her away.
Anyone who understood what had unfolded knew exactly what he implied.
If Lyra had not regularly maintained contact with their spirit animals, steadily lowering their contamination levels over time, every single one of them would have been transferred up to the third floor after coming that close to the Phasmophage yesterday.
Even so, Lyra noticed multiple cell windows on the first floor remained closed.
The meal attendant walked straight past them. Those Sentinels had already been relocated to the second level.
Most visibly, Building Three itself had expanded.
A dividing wall had been pushed back to create extra rooms.
Lyra’s mood darkened.
Before she could guide everyone one by one, even more “critical patients” had been added.
She tilted her head to look toward the third floor.
She could not tell which cells held Rook and Felix.
Hadrien knew what she was searching for. “Don’t worry. We’ll check on them soon p>
To those aware of the full situation, his tone sounded ordinary.
To everyone kept in the dark, his behavior seemed utterly bizarre.
They stared at Hadrien with the exact same amused suspicion the doctor had worn the day before.
“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden, Mr. Vale? ”
3/4
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Chapter 158 Whispers in the Cell Block
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Kyren did not show his face. His red pit viper coiled atop the cell window, watching with quiet, shadowed eyes.
Kyren’s casual voice seemed to drift straight from the viper.
Hadrien remained calm and collected. “A staff member was injured. Is there anything strange about checking in p>
Kyren said, “Your injured staff member could recover in the medical wing. Instead, you personally escorted her out here. How very devoted of you p>
His comment opened the floodgates for the other unaware Sentinels.
“Yeah, Hadrien. Haven’t you been visiting Building Three far too often lately p>
“Everyone sees you have some motive. No need to hide it p>
“We’re all men here. We know what’s going on p>
“No wonder you take so much time out of your schedule p>
The temporary attendant wished he could vanish into thin air as he listened to the Sentinels tease his superior.
Lyra glanced toward Hadrien.
Hadrien looked down to meet her eyes. His cool gaze was deep and steady.
He spoke softly to soothe her. “Ignore them. Let them talk p>
Lyra pressed her lips together and fell silent.
Once he finished serving meals, the attendant fled without looking back.
Hadrien pushed Lyra’s wheelchair toward the lift as if all the teasing meant nothing.
Midway through their ride, a voice called out.
“Girl, you look young and innocent. Be careful not to get played p>
*19
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.