Chapter 97: awkward

she uttered her words with a solemnity that held sway, her eyes unwavering as she addressed him in measured tones, each syllable a weighty revelation that stirred the air.

"We are regarded as the apex predator, swifter, mightier, and more ruthless than any other creature. Blood, human blood specifically, is our sole sustenance, setting us apart from every other being in the supernatural realm. We are devoid of mercy, dispatching anyone who dares to cross us without a second thought, all without a hint of remorse. We are not fashioned for enduring love and enduring commitments, for none outlasts our kind," she declared, her gaze steady and resolute as it held his.

"They are the morally destitute among us—not to say we are paragons of virtue, but they are the ones who revel in the mayhem, causing devastation for mere amusement. The vampires in our midst now are the epitome of our kind. Any other is a latent threat," she conveyed, her words hanging in the air, heavy with significance.

"Due to the havoc wrought centuries ago during the strife between vampires and werewolves, humans and non-predatory beings such as your kind suffered its repercussions. Therefore, what I implore of you is to choose your path wisely, ensuring it aligns with your true desires," she concluded, her voice carrying the weight of earnest counsel, before elegantly descending from the bed.

Marcel contemplated rising after her but was halted by a startling revelation. Upon reaching for the duvet, he discovered that he was nearly unclothed, clad merely in his undergarments, a sight that befuddled his senses.

"Why am I nearly naked, and what happened my clothes?" he queried, his perplexing questions effectively pausing her mid-stride, compelling her to halt in her tracks.

"I removed your clothing because I couldn't allow you to sleep in my bed doused in the lingering smell of alcohol. As for your subsequent question, I took it upon myself to dispose of it," she stated with a resolute air, and continued in her purposeful stride towards the bathroom, leaving Marcel in a state of confounded bemusement.

Meanwhile, at the hospital...

Lauren, flanked by Damine, Damon, and Derek, walked into her father's ward, and to their mutual surprise, Chloe stood there before them, visibly taken aback by their presence.

It marked the first time she had laid eyes upon them since learning of their vampiric nature. Despite her professional liaisons with the Apex conglomerate, she diligently steered clear of visiting Apex or engaging in direct meetings with the company, often delegating such responsibilities to her vice president or secretary.

As she gazed upon them, a whirlwind of emotions churned within her, leaving her uncertain of how best to proceed. Little did she know, every single one of the vampires could discern the undercurrent of her anxiety from the moment they neared the door.

Initially, Damon's face showed delight at the sight of her, a silent desire to engage in conversation evident in his eyes. Yet, as he sensed the turmoil within her and observed her reaction to his presence, he chose to grant her space, adopting an air of nonchalance.

Meanwhile, Derek, stepping forth not as a vampire but in his capacity as a doctor, was greeted warmly by Mr. Turner, who harbored a plethora of inquiries to pose to the young man.

"Hello, Dad! You seem to be in good spirits today," Lauren chimed in, planting a tender kiss on each of his cheeks, visibly elated to find her father in such a buoyant mood.

"I had no idea you would be arriving so early. How are you?" Lauren inquired, embracing Chloe warmly.

"I took a day off as I I to spend the day with you. How are you holding up? I heard about what happened with Director Shaw," Chloe conveyed, extending her sympathies to Lauren concerning the situation with Director Shaw, her gaze briefly flitting toward the vampires before she averted her eyes.

"Indeed, my dear," he responded, his countenance beaming with an unusual radiance that left Lauren puzzled. Curious about this sudden change in her father's disposition, she leaned in to whisper her query to Chloe, yet her confidante merely shrugged, as bemused as she was.

"Good morning, Professor Turner. How are you faring this morning?" Derek inquired as he attended to the vital signs reflected on the room's monitor,m.

"I'm feeling splendid. I had requested to see you early in the morning, but the nurses informed me of your unavailability," Mr. Turner remarked, a note of anticipation tinging his words.

"I offer my earnest apologies for the inconvenience. Now that I am here, may I inquire as to why you wished to speak with me?" Derek asked, though he already sensed the nature of the consultation.

"Tell me, how do you manage it?" Mr. Turner inquired with keen curiosity. "How do you, as a vampire, seamlessly operate as a surgeon? I've come across material suggesting that blood serves as both sustenance and vulnerability for your kind. Therefore, I feel compelled to pose this question: what are the medical implications and hypotheses underpinning your practice?" he probed, his inquiry weighing heavily in the air.

Lauren and Chloe, upon hearing Mr. Turner's query, gasped in shock and surprise. They found themselves taken aback by his boldness—Lauren, for his revelation that she had confided in him, and Chloe, for his evident lack of fear in their presence.

"Father, surely that cannot be the question you intend to ask," Lauren interjected, her head shaking in disbelief.

"You are a distinguished medical professional, Lauren. Surely it hasn't escaped your attention how their cellular genome appears under microscopic scrutiny," Mr. Turner countered, his interest unyielding.

"There's been no contemplation of that, Dad. Why should that even come into my thoughts? There's a reason it is called the supernatural realm," she retorted, her tone laced with resolution.

As the father and daughter duo engaged in their exchange, expounding on various medical concepts and discussing how the vampire physiology might manifest, Derek interjected, gently breaking the intellectual tussle.

"What's essential right now is that you focus on resting. Once you have fully recuperated, I will be here to address all of your inquiries," he assured, effectively halting the impasse between father and daughter.

"Very well then. Your willingness to entertain my curiosities is deeply appreciated, Director Derek," Mr. Turner expressed, a broad smile gracing his features.

"I must make my way to the office now, so I shall take my leave," Lauren declared, pressing kisses to her father's cheeks. Turning to Chloe, she requested, "Might I have a word with you in private?" With that, the two women exited the room and stepped into the waiting elevator.

Pausing the elevator mid-ascent, Lauren sought to engage Chloe in a private discourse, desiring the privacy to outside the sensorial reach of the vampires.

"Chloe, why does the presence of the vampires seem to unsettle you?" Lauren inquired gently, her concern evident in her tone. Chloe, taken aback by the astuteness of her sister's question, chose to play it off. "I'm not unsettled by them," she countered, her reply faintly defiant.

"Your quietness was very loud when we entered the room. It was practically emanating from you, and I'm quite certain they caught every thought you had," Lauren conveyed, seeking to emphasize her observations.

"After everything you've shared with me about them, I felt compelled to conduct some research. What I unearthed online sent chills down my spine. Please forgive my reaction; I simply didn't know how best to react," Chloe divulged, acknowledging her inner turmoil in the face of the presence of the vampires.