*Buzz—! Buzz—! Buzz—!*
The phone convulsed violently on the polished cherrywood desk, screen flashing with garish light.
Lin Guodong sat frozen in his expansive leather executive chair, a clay Buddha effigy. Sweat beaded down his ashen temples, soaking the graying roots at his hairline, trickling into his collar. His fingers clawed the open document on his lap, nails digging deep into the thick, glossy paper! Knuckles bone-white!
Document header:
Special Report on the Successful Containment of the Novel Highly Pathogenic Viral Outbreak in Qingshan County
Footer: Office of the Provincial Epidemic Prevention and Control Leadership Group.
Date: A vivid red electronic seal stamped that very morning!
What truly froze his blood, locking his limbs in icy paralysis, were the co
