Aria said coldly, “I’ve swapped shifts with Dr. Garcetti. Got a problem with that?”


    The guard snapped, “Who gave you permission to swap shifts? Change it back, now!”


    Aria raised an eyebrow. “Since when do we need your permission for an emergency shift change?”


    “That’s the rule,” the guard insisted.


    Aria scoffed contemptuously and reached for her ess card.


    The man immediately grabbed her arm. “Who said you could go?” he snapped.


    Aria staggered, then instantly swung a sharp backhanded p across his face.


    “You…” The guard’s face darkened with rage as he clenched his fist, drawing back to strike.


    Aria said icily, “I’m one of the lead researchers here. Are you really going toy hands on me?”


    Another guard quickly grabbed his arm. “Cool it, man,” he said. “It’s just a shift swap-let her through.”


    The guard eyed Aria up and down, sensing something was off. “Take off your mask,” he barked.


    Aria sneered, “I’m a physician at Ivy Hospital. You’re nothing but guard dogs-since when do dogs get to order their masters around, huh?”


    Even the guard, who was usually pretty patient, felt a surge of murderous rage at Aria’s words.


    The guard narrowed his eyes and snapped, “If you won’t take it off, you’ve definitely got something to hide!”


    Several guards began approaching themotion.


    Catching a glimpse of a figure, Aria scoffed, “Mark my words-you’re the ones stopping me from going on duty. If anything goes wrong, it’s on your heads.”


    Aria turned on her heel and strode away.


    Russell strode over. “What’s going on here?”


    Aria looked back.


    Their gazes locked for a fleeting moment.


    One of Russell’s subordinates replied respectfully, “Sir, she’s one of the researchers and a physician from Ivy Hospital.” Russell shot the two Blood Association guards a cold look. “She’s a doctor-so why aren’t you letting her through?”


    One of the Blood Association guards exined, “She refuses to remove her mask.”


    Russell said dismissively, “Just for that?”


    Russell waved it off impatiently. “If that’s an order from the Blood Association,” he said, “then it’s none of our Wolfshade Syndicate’s business.”


    Tristan, the patient on the top floor, was in such poor health that he couldn’t be left without a doctor’s care.


    The two guards exchanged nces, then said to Aria, “Time’s up. Get upstairs now.”


    Aria spun around, eyes shing. “Are you seriously trying to order me around now?”


    After taking a deep breath, the two guards finally said, “Dr. Powell, please attend to your shift.”


    “Now that’s more like it,” Aria said.


    Aria strode to the elevator, swiped her ess card, and the doors slid open.


    Russell also stepped inside and ordered his men, “Stay here and keep your eyes open.”


    They answered in unison, “Yes, sir.”


    Just a short distance away, Niks, disguised as a janitor, was absolutely terrified.


    Niks had been tipped off by Aria-he knew she was impersonating Megan tonight. Worried she might get stopped, he came to check on the situation.


    Niks couldn’t believe Aria’s audacity-impersonating a doctor and actually daring to hit a guard.


    To his relief, she made it through unscathed.


    The elevator doors slid shut. Acting like the cameras didn’t exist, Russell scoffed, “You’ve got some nerve, daring to offend the Blood Association even now. Aren’t you afraid they’ll lock you out?”


    “Not a chance.” With all the surveince feeds under Vanessa’s control, Aria wasn’t worried about being exposed. She nce at Russell. “What brings you here?”


    “Just here for the show,” Russell smirked.


    Even the members of ck Rose knew to steer clear to avoid punishment, yet Russell deliberately got closer-with motives unknown.


    Russell looked down at Aria, his gaze traveling from the crown of her head to her brows and eyes, finally settling on the mask obscuring most of her face.


    Aria looked up. “What are you doing?”


    “Nothing,” Russell said with a faint smirk. “That’s some impressive makeup work.”


    The elevator went straight to the top floor.


    Aria followed closely behind Russell.


    Upon seeing Russell, the Wolfshade Syndicate guard bowed respectfully. “Sir, any orders?”


    “Nothing much. Heard some whispers, so I came to take a look,” Russell replied nonchntly.