"Calista Stafford? We have concerns you might be infected with the K Virus. We need your cooperation for a blood test right away!" The stern-faced officer''s voice was chillingly authoritative, the coldness in the tone conveying an unmistakable sense ofmand.


    Quintus attempted to intervene. "Could there be a mistake?" He nced toward Kurt, whoy motionless on the ground, his condition a possible clue. "He''s one of Kiefer''s men from Lostaria. Isn''t it usible that he could have been the carrier of the K Virus, potentially unleashing catastrophic consequences?"


    The officers exchanged brief looks, signaling to each other with subtle nods. At a gesture from one of them, several individuals d in pristine white suits advanced toward Kurt, ready to administer the blood test.


    Meanwhile, Calista, exhausted from the ordeal, shut her eyes briefly. She had eliminated Kurt while he was feverish, clearly in the throes of infection. It was only a matter of time before they realized this. Once they did, they would inevitably seek her out again.


    She knew that Quintus nned to whisk her away first and address the falloutter, banking on the Fairchilds to handle any diplomatic repercussions. However, if this incident came to the attention of the family''s rivals, it would undoubtedly provoke significant turmoil. Calista decided it was wiser to confront the issue head-on rather than let it escte from a minor misunderstanding into a major conflict.


    With these thoughts weighing on her, she slowly stepped out from behind Quintus.


    Upon noticing her emergence, Quintus eximed with a mix of concern and urgency, "Ms. Calista!"


    "It''s okay," Calista responded, her voice steady despite her paleplexion. "Old Mr. Yancey will take care of me, don''t worry."


    With a resolute expression, she then turned to the officer who had demanded her cooperation. "There''s no need for a test; I am indeed infected with the K Virus."


    Her admission sent shockwaves through not just the Fairchild family''s men present but also the officers who hade to detain her. Calista was well known in Horington as a favorite of Kallum; the implications of her infection were profound.


    Regardless, their mission had to go on, and Calista''s cooperation was weed.


    The officer, recovering from his initial shock, maintained his professional demeanor. "In that case, Ms. Stafford, pleasee with us."


    Calista nodded in acknowledgment and began to approach the officers.


    "Ms. Calista..." Quintus reached out instinctively, his hand grasping her arm as he struggled to process the unfolding events. The evening had been set for celebration, with ns to apprehend Kiefer and dismantle the terroristwork he had infiltrated into Horington. How had it spiraled into this catastrophe?


    Ultimately, he med himself for not providing sufficient protection.


    Calista gently freed herself from his grasp, her voice soft yet firm. "It''s okay, go find Kallum."


    Her words were barely out when dizziness overwhelmed her, and she copsed into Quintus'' arms.


    The officers, interpreting her copse as potential subterfuge, moved in quickly to secure her. Quintus was reluctant to release her, and the officers were met with the raised guns of the Parker Guards, creating a standoff.


    "Let her go!"manded the leading officer, his voice tense as he faced the armed guards.


    He understood the considerable influence wielded by the Fairchilds, and he knew his assignment here was no ident, given his reputation for integrity. Despite theplexities, his orders were clear-Calista needed to be taken into custody immediately due to the danger she posed.


    Quintus'' voice turned icy with resolve. "She needs immediate medical attention, and I am taking her back!"


    "Interfering could have severe repercussions for the people of Horington. We expect your cooperation," the officer countered firmly.


    "And if I refuse?" Quintus narrowed his eyes, determined to act in ordance with what he believed Kallum would expect to ensure Calista''s safety and leave therger issues to the Fairchild family to manage.


    At his refusal, the standoff intensified, with the officers readying their weapons. The air thick with tension seemed charged as if preluding a storm.


    "Enough already..." Calista groaned, pushing through her pain. She gently pushed Quintus away and steadied herself. "I''ll be fine."


    "Ms. Calista..." Quintus started, but Calista had already turned to address the officer directly.


    "I need medical attention now," she asserted, reaching for the officer''s arm as a sign of her willingness toply.


    The officer, reassured by her cooperation, helped stabilize her. "You''ll be safe in the quarantine area,” he assured her, his voice a mixture of relief and professionalism.


    When Kallum received the distressing call, his reaction was so severe that he nearly let his phone slip from his grasp.


    The voice on the other end relentlessly delivered the rming news, "Due to Ms. Calista, the K-virus has been released, resulting in over a hundred infections in Horington. The outbreak has triggered widespread panic throughout the area! Furthermore, Ms. Calista has been taken to the quarantine area!"


    The news that over a hundred people had been infected marked a grave crisis.


    Initially, the local health authorities had identified only one or two cases and mistook them formon


    colds or seasonal flu. Patients, believing they were suffering from minor ailments, sought treatment at hospitals where many were already vulnerable and weakened. The


    presence of some less skilled


    doctors exacerbated the situation.


    Without the swift intervention of


    state authorities, this outbreak could have spiraled into a disastrous epidemic.


    Previously, discussions of a K Virus outbreak had circted, but these instances had primarily affected affluent individuals, leaving the general poption untouched.


    This time, however, the virus had breached this boundary, striking indiscriminately among themon popce, and inciting widespread fear and chaos. Desperate citizens besieged government offices, seeking rity and reassurance.


    The situation at Catfish Harbor had escted quickly, resulting in aplete lockdown. No vehicles or boats were permitted to exit, only to enter, as swarms of armed police and emergency medical teams were deployed to manage the escting crisis. This was arguably the most severe catastrophe to hit Horington


    since its founding.


    In the wake of the initial chaos, Kallum took a moment to reflect, shutting his eyes


    as he collected his thoughts amidst the burgeoning crisis.


    His foremost priority was to prevent any loss of life. Those infected were now


    under strict quarantine, and it was imperative to ensure their survival and prevent


    any further deterioration due to the fever associated with the virus.


    Once he had gathered hisposure, Kallum initiated a flurry of phone calls to coordinate the response. He promptly instructed Shaun to dispatch thetest batch of antibodies to the quarantine area. Additionally, he mobilized teams to help calm the public and manage the spreading panic. However, amid these critical actions, his thoughts were incessantly drawn to Calista. Kallum was deeply concerned about her safety, fearing that someone might seize this opportunity to harm her.