Chapter 4
Wren's POV
The commendation ceremony proceeded as scheduled the day after discharge.
The fire department conference room was packed with equipment, reporters everywhere, all major TV stations broadcasting live.
Ryan stood there in uniform, looking triumphant as he gave interviews.
"Captain Walker, please tell us about this heroic rescue operation."
Ryan cleared his throat: "The situation was extremely critical, with two pregnant women trapped simultaneously in the vehicle. As professional rescue personnel, I had to make the right judgment in a very short time..."
The Fire Chief and several officials sat nearby, watching him with obvious admiration.
Ryan noticed me entering and immediately approached, lowering his voice:
"You know I'm about to get promoted – this is a golden opportunity. My promotion depends on this, so don't you DARE mess it up for me."
His eyes gleamed: "When the reporters interview you, just say I was heroic in the rescue, that prioritizing the severely injured showed professional judgment. Don't say anything else, understand?"
I nodded: "I understand."
Ryan patted my hand with satisfaction: "I knew you'd be sensible. Once I get promoted, our lives will be so much better."
I looked at his fake smile and sneered inwardly.
Soon it was time for the family representative's statement.
A reporter handed me the microphone: "Mrs. Walker, as someone directly involved in this rescue, what are your thoughts on your husband's heroic actions?"
I took the microphone and looked deeply at Ryan.
"I'm very grateful to my husband."
A smug smile spread across Ryan's face.
"Grateful that he showed me what it means to put others first." My voice was calm. "To save someone else, he could abandon his seriously injured wife and unborn child without hesitation."
Ryan's smile began to freeze.
"Most of all, I want to thank Mike, Jackson, and the other firefighters who participated in the rescue."
Mike and the others looked at me in surprise.
"If they hadn't risked their lives crawling into that car that could fall any moment to save me, I'd probably be dead. After all, my husband did say 'She won't die, I take full responsibility.'"
Chaos erupted.
Ryan went pale: "Wren, what the HELL are you saying?"
Mike suddenly stood up: "I can testify! Stella's position was actually safer – Wren's was more dangerous! But the Captain insisted on saving her first!"
"The Captain knew his own wife was more severely injured but chose to save someone else first! That's FAVORITISM!"
Several team members also stood up:
"We can all testify!"
"The Captain didn't give a damn about his own wife's life!"
The room descended into chaos.
Ryan's abuse of power was exposed on live citywide broadcast.
The Fire Chief's face turned green as he immediately signaled staff to cut the feed.
"WALKER!" the Chief roared in front of everyone. "You're a disgrace to our fire department! Abuse of power, abandoning your teammate's wife!"
"Your promotion? IN YOUR DREAMS! Starting tomorrow, report to the supply department!"
Ryan was completely stunned.
His promotion dreams shattered instantly.
Eyes red with fury, he turned to confront me, only to find I was already gone.
"Where's Wren? Where did she go?" Ryan frantically looked around.
Mike approached with an expressionless face, handing him a document envelope: "Ms. Kelly asked me to give this to you."
With trembling hands, Ryan opened it. When he saw the divorce papers, his face went deathly white.
"What... when did she prepare this?" His voice shook.
Suddenly, Ryan remembered yesterday's medical insurance document... Wait, what exactly had he signed yesterday?
Stella said she felt dizzy, Wren had papers for him to sign, he'd been frantic with worry and signed without looking...
It couldn't be...
Ryan stared at the divorce papers in his hands, at his own neat signature, and collapsed into a chair.
"Impossible... impossible..."
Just then, a tremendous roar came from outside.
"My God! Look outside!"
"What kind of convoy is that?"
A dozen black Rolls-Royces lined up perfectly in front of the fire station, their license plates sequential.
The crowd of onlookers grew larger.
Ryan and the other firefighters rushed to the windows, watching in stunned silence.
"What kind of status would someone need to have a convoy like that?"
Car doors opened, and an imposing middle-aged man stepped out, followed by an elegantly poised woman.
The man wore a tailored suit, his commanding presence intimidating.
"My God, isn't that William Kelly?" someone recognized him. "Chairman of Kelly Group!"
Ryan's eyes went wide.
Kelly Group? The multinational conglomerate?
William Kelly strode directly into the fire station, his gaze immediately locking onto a still-dazed Ryan.
He walked over with long strides, grabbed Ryan by the collar, and roared:
"You BASTARD! How DARE you treat my daughter like this!"
