The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

Chapter 266 Countdown To Death

Chapter 266 Countdown To Death

“Boss, you’re awake!”

Upon getting a grip of himself, Nico threw himself forward to check on Cedrick’s condition. Fortunately, the latter

was unharmed and wasn’t struck by any bullets.

That can only mean the virus inside him is acting up!

Nico placed his trembling hand on Cedrick’s neck to check his pulse.

Upon feeling its steady rhythm, he heaved a sigh of relief.

Thank God he’s still alive. He just lost consciousness.

After lifting Cedrick by the arm and loading him on his back, Nico calmly gave out instructions.

“Neville, Swain, retreat with me. As for the rest of you, provide cover and retreat in ten minutes. We’ll meet back in

Salinsburgh two days later.”

“Got it.”

Once the orders were issued, Nico carried the unconscious Cedrick on his back and fled through the forest.

Following closely behind them, Neville and Swain stayed vigilant for any potential attacks by the enemy.

They subsequently boarded a waiting helicopter and returned to Salinsburgh after leaving the border as fast as

they could.

However, Cedrick remained unconscious during the flight. His face grew increasingly pale, whereas his body felt

cold to the touch.

When Nico put his hand on Cedrick’s neck again, he noticed that the latter’s pulse was growing weak while his

breath began to shallow.

“Hurry up! Fly this bird as fast as you can!” Nico roared as his eyes turned bloodshot.

By then, his voice had begun to choke. “Boss, you can’t die yet! You have to hang in there. We’ll be at the lab soon.

Prof. Mallory will definitely save you!”

As Neville and Swain were still young, their tears fell like raindrops against their will.

Kneeling by Cedrick’s side, both of them cried while rubbing his hands in an attempt to provide his body some heat.

It wasn’t until three hours had passed that they arrived at the lab in the middle of the night.

Finally, Cedrick’s condition began to stabilize after Joshua injected a stronger dosage of the suppressant.

As his eyelashes began to twitch, Cedrick woke up in a groggy state.

He scanned his surroundings once his vision gradually returned to him.

It was then that he noticed Nico’s reddened eyes, a sign that he had cried earlier.

Joshua was studying his lab report with an equally grim look; the tear streaks beneath his eyes were easily

noticeable.

“What happened?”

Cedrick sat himself up.

Silence was the only response he received from the two as a sense of despair filled the room.

“Joshua, I can feel the condition my body is in. There’s no need to hide the truth from me. I’m ready to accept the

news no matter how terrible it is.”

Joshua tried to hold back his emotions as he spoke. “I’m sorry, Cedrick. I’ve failed you by not coming up with a cure

for your virus after such a long time.”

Holding the lab report with his trembling hands, he continued, “Your body has begun to resist the ‘suppressant due

to its overuse. You started off with an injection every seven days before requiring one every five, and then one

every three now. Once your body has gotten used to it, there’s no way we can suppress the virus anymore.

Moreover, the virus has begun to spread through your body. The current fainting spell and the deterioration of your

fitness levels you mentioned to Nico are signs of your body degenerating.”

Brows furrowed and lips pale, Cedrick asked, “How bad will the degeneration be?”

“Under the worst–case scenario, you’ll be paralyzed, and this is the only symptom we can identify so far. I have no

idea whether your body will show other symptoms once the suppressant loses its effect against the virus.”

Joshua’s eyes brimmed with sadness as he continued, “Whatever it is, it doesn’t look good.”

The moment he finished, a long silence descended upon the room, weighing down upon the already solemn

atmosphere.

Upon letting out a chuckle, Cedrick asked softly, “In that case, how long more do I have?”

Joshua sighed as she raised his palm with a reluctant look in his eyes.

“Less than five months? And that’s assuming you take good care of your body.”

The news caused Nico to clench his fists till his veins bulged up.

With his head hung low, quiet tears began to fall onto the ground.

“All right. I understand.”

Cedrick was stunned for a long while before he finally nodded his head, seemingly an acknowledgment of the death

sentence the doctor had passed him.

“Joshua, please leave us. I have something to discuss with Nico.”

Desperately holding back his tears, Joshua nodded before walking out and closing the door behind him.

As Cedrick shifted his attention to the shocked Nico, he let out a gentle laugh. “Hey man, stop being so sad. I’m not

dead yet. Now, come over here.”

Nico wiped away his tears with his arm as he walked awkwardly to Cedrick’s bedside.

“I’m not crying! I’m just ecstatic to see you finally suffer after being such a harsh leader toward me.” The words

naturally amused Cedrick. “Good. I’m glad that you don’t have a conscience.” The depressed Nico simply looked

away and ignored the comment.

Cedrick continued, “Ever since Charles was removed from his post, the position of the director of the Central

Intelligence Agency has been left vacant. I’ll write you a recommendation letter and have Neville, Swain, and the

others report to you. With your capabilities, I’m sure you’ll take over the position within a month.”

Nico stared at Cedrick in disbelief, the hurt in his eyes unmistakable. “Boss, are you getting rid of me?” “You have a

lot of potential. After my death, that’s the best place for all of you to move on.”

However, Neville shook his head vehemently. “But that isn’t what I want! There’s no way I’m leaving your “side

unless you kill me. Besides, Swain and Neville would never agree to go with me.”

Cedrick proceeded to analyze the pros and cons for him. “Craig Newton is now the second–in–command of the

Federal Bureau of Investigation. He has always been ruthless and shows no mercy to his enemies. If he learns of

my sickness and seizes upon the opportunity to take my place, he will come after all of you just. for being my

followers.”

“I know.”

With his eyes brimming with conviction, Nico stood firm. “If he wants to kill me, then let him come. I’m not leaving

you no matter what!”

“This is an order!”

Cedrick wore a stern expression in a rare effort to calmly explain, “No good will come out of following a heartless

leader like me. Just look at the dire circumstances I have fallen-”

Before he could finish, Nico dropped to his knees with a loud thud.

“Boss, are you angry with me? I was just teasing you a moment ago. Learning of your condition feels worse than

death itself. To me, you’re not just a superior but a comrade and even family!”

Nico crawled toward Cedrick’s bed on his knees and grabbed its sides tightly. His eyes were filled with a sense of

helpless abandonment.

“My life belongs to you, and you’re the only person I’ll follow. You can’t force me to leave! This is the only order that

I’m not going to obey. Boss, please don’t do this…”

Nico held back his tears as hard as he could while giving Cedrick an unwavering look.

As for Cedrick, he returned the former’s gaze with an exhausted and pale expression.

He’s such a loyal comrade.

As their usual banter never included such heartfelt words, Cedrick couldn’t help but be moved by them.

Thus, he got a grip on himself and gently struck Nico on the head.

“You fool, I can’t believe that you’re more stubborn than I am! You just won’t relent despite how hard I’m trying to

persuade you.”

Nico quickly got up to his feet and poured a glass of warm water for Cedrick.

“I refuse to leave no matter what. There’s no room for discussion at all!”

Feeling exasperated, Nico decided to change topics by reminding Cedrick, “Boss, you had better think of how you’re

going to tell Ms. Gwendolyn. Half a year ago, she was devastated to learn of your death. This time…”

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