American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 284 A New Crisis in December! (Multiple Images, a lengthy chapter of over 10,000 words!)
last night.

The fire crackled in the fireplace as Lin Yu'an was immersed in the joy of receiving his driver's license and the warmth of his family reunion.

The encrypted satellite phone suddenly rang at an inopportune moment, and the caller ID showed it was McCormick.

"Forest?"

The voice on the other end of the phone no longer carried its usual ease and witty remarks, but was filled with suppressed exhaustion and anxiety, like a string stretched to its limit.

Lin Yu'an's heart sank; he could sense the storm brewing behind that voice. "McCoz? What happened?"

McCormick's voice was a little hoarse. "It's December, and things are very bad. I might need your help."

She began to recount what had happened over the past month, a difficult journey filled with hope, setbacks, struggles, and despair.

Since Lin Yu-an left after her last visit, December's condition has deteriorated rapidly.

McCorz said, "At first we thought it was just simple separation anxiety, a normal reaction that can occur in any young animal undergoing rewilding training."

“We strictly followed the first phase of the human imprinting removal plan, reduced direct contact with it, and the food delivery was completely randomized.”

"But the situation is much more serious than we thought. Its appetite has dropped by 70 percent in the past three weeks in a precipitous manner."

“We tried everything, including getting the freshest seal meat airlifted from the Bering Sea, and even the best bluefin tuna fat, but it just sniffed it and walked away indifferently.”

"Its weight has stopped increasing and has even begun to show signs of decreasing." Her voice carried the helplessness of a scientist facing a loss of control over their research subject.

"Moreover, its behavior has become abnormal. It no longer plays or explores its environment. Most of the time, it just lies in the corner of that isolation area, staring motionless at the door."

“Sometimes, they’d lie there all day long. That look in their eyes…” McCormick paused, as if he couldn’t quite describe it, “like a fire slowly dying out, all its life force draining away little by little.”

“We conducted the most comprehensive physical examination on it, including blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, and neurological responses... all indicators were normal.”

“We ruled out all possibilities of physiological abnormalities. Therefore, the institute’s expert committee gave its final assessment conclusion yesterday.”

She struggled to articulate the assessment result: "In December, it was severe post-traumatic depression, accompanied by progressive anorexia."

“It probably feels like it has been abandoned by the world once again.” McCormick’s voice carried a hint of pain.

"For wild animals, especially apex predators like polar bears, once they give up their will to survive, any external intervention is unlikely to be effective. Without timely intervention, death is all that awaits them."

"I'm sorry, Lin, the conditions in December are indeed not suitable for rewilding training. What we need to do now is find a way to save its life."

Lin Yu'an's knuckles were turning white as he gripped the phone. He could picture the little guy curled up alone in the corner, and the image pierced his heart like a knife.

He hadn't realized how deeply December depended on him! Had it been waiting for him to see it all along?
McCormick's tone became filled with anger and helplessness as he continued, "The institute's leadership has held several emergency meetings regarding this matter."

“You know, this is more than just an animal rescue project. Behind it in December are Environment Canada, the International Animal Protection Fund, and tens of millions of eyes around the world, including your unbroadcast video of living alone in the wild.”

"It can't die, especially not at the hands of our institute. So, an ugly blame-shifting session officially began this afternoon." McCorz's tone was full of sarcasm.

This afternoon, at the Alaska Arctic Biological Research Center, in the top-floor conference room.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the magnificent snow-capped mountains and bay of Anchorage stretched out, but the atmosphere inside the conference room was even colder than the glaciers outside.

The top executive of the research center sat at the long conference table.

At the head of the table was the center director, Dr. David Fisher, a man nearing sixty, with his hair neatly combed and wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

He was less a scientist and more a shrewd politician and bureaucrat.

To his left was Isabella Leclerc, a representative from Environment Canada, a French woman with a serious expression and impeccable attire.

To his right is Mark Jenkins, an observer for the International Fund for Animal Protection, a white elite who likes to talk about humanitarianism and procedural justice.

McCormick, as the person directly in charge of the project, sat alone at the end of the long table, like a defendant awaiting trial.

Fisher cleared his throat and placed his fingers interlaced on the conference table in front of him: "Doctor, we understand the situation. A regrettable assessment report and a disappointing current state of affairs."

His gaze first fell upon Isabella Leclerc, the representative from Environment Canada. Her tone was official and distant, carrying a deliberately crafted somber air.

“Ms. Leclerc, first of all, on behalf of the Alaska Arctic Biological Research Center, I would like to express my deepest regret to Canada, the country of legal origin and guardian of the individual, for the unfortunate situation that has occurred in December.”

He subtly emphasized the terms "country of origin" and "guardian state," a seemingly polite opening statement that concealed an extremely cunning subtext: This bear is your Canadian bear. Now that it's in trouble, you, as the source, also bear some responsibility.

He began to distance himself from his organization: "Our team provided the world's most advanced medical equipment, the most scientific nutritional support, and the most professional behavioral monitoring. All physiological indicators showed that there were no flaws in our work."

He then changed the subject and finally revealed his true intentions: "Therefore, after ruling out all external factors, our expert committee had no choice but to point to the root of the problem as the trauma of the family of origin that already existed when it was discovered in December."

“A cub that is actively abandoned by its mother may have some innate psychological defects that we cannot detect with our current scientific level. We feel powerless to help it.”

He shrugged, passing the buck to the Canadian representative with an air of "we tried our best, but the child's foundation was too weak."

However, Isabella Leclerc, a woman who has been navigating Ottawa's political circles for over two decades, is clearly not so easy to deal with.

She adjusted her glasses, her gaze behind the lenses sharp and cold.

The voice was equally cold, but every word was as precise as a legal statute: "Director Fisher, we have received your regrets, but you seem to have overlooked a more important legal fact."

She took a document from her folder and gently pushed it to the center of the table.

"According to the Memorandum of Understanding on Cross-border Rescue and Transfer of Responsibilities for Endangered Wildlife, which we jointly signed under the framework of the United Nations, Chapter 3, Article 7, Item B."

She could recite the terms accurately without even looking at the documents.

"From the moment it was officially handed over to your center by the Canadian side in December, all its unconditional temporary guardianship, research rights and daily management rights, as well as all responsibilities arising therefrom, have been transferred."

Her voice rose slightly: "Director Fisher, this means that no matter what congenital defects or original traumas this cub may have, how to assess, deal with, and resolve these issues is already your center's inescapable contractual responsibility."

"We in Canada entrusted you with this weighty responsibility because we trusted your professionalism. But we are more concerned about the outcome. And the current outcome does not seem to be satisfactory."

These words were like a perfectly executed roundhouse kick, not only sending the ball back but also slamming it back into Fisher's face with even greater force.

For the first time, Director Fisher's expression turned somewhat grim.

Meanwhile, Mark Jenkins, an observer from the International Animal Protection Foundation, immediately joined the fray like a shark that had smelled blood.

His tone carried a hint of moral superiority in his questioning: "Yes, Director Fisher, the result is that a polar bear cub, a highly regarded symbol of the species' hope, is dying of depression in your state-of-the-art facility."

Jenkins leaned forward, pressing aggressively: "Director Fisher, does this mean that your center's relief plan was fundamentally flawed from the very beginning?"

The two guests joined forces, trying to pin the ball firmly under the research center's feet.

Director Fisher's face darkened, and he looked at McCorz, who was sitting at the end of the table: "Dr. McCorz, as the project's chief scientist and the architect of the relief plan, I'd like to hear your opinion."

McCormick raised his head, meeting everyone's gaze without fear, his voice clear and firm: "Director, everyone. The psychological problems that emerged in December are an unfortunate event that none of us wanted to see, and there were indeed some errors in our assessment."

She didn't give them time to react, continuing, "Our rescue plan is based on decades of experience rescuing hundreds of wild animals, and it is scientifically rigorous, but we overlooked the most unique aspect of December."

"It wasn't rescued from the wild by our research center's professional team. It was saved by a specific person from a near-death situation."

"During the ten days when its life was most vulnerable and its mind was most blank, Lin Yu'an was the only source of warmth and food it could access."

"Therefore, in December's perception, Lin Yu'an was not a rescuer, nor a zookeeper. It regarded him as its own family, as its mother!"

"Our mistake was underestimating how profound this cross-species imprint was and trying to sever an emotional connection using conventional scientific procedures. As it turns out, we failed."

She readily admitted her failure, and then immediately offered her own solution.

"Therefore, Director, I believe the most urgent task is not to assign blame here, nor to discuss those distant, worst-case scenarios, but to take immediate action and seek Lin's help!"

"The root of December's problem is severe depression caused by separation anxiety. Perhaps, Lin Yu'an's appearance is the only, and last, chance to cure December!"

As soon as McCormick finished speaking, Jenkins from the foundation let out a sneer full of disdain and skepticism.

“Doctor, if I may be so bold, your proposal sounds… extremely unprofessional, even absurd.” His tone was full of the arrogance of procedural justice.

Jenkins spread his hands and said in an exaggerated tone, "Lin Yu'an, what is his identity?"

"He is an explorer and an internet celebrity, but he is not a veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, or a legally qualified member of our international rescue project!"

"According to the 'Operating Procedures for Cross-border Rescue of Endangered Species' jointly developed by our foundation and the Canadian government, any person who has direct contact with the rescued species must undergo rigorous background checks and professional training. Which of these conditions does he meet?"

"You want an unqualified outsider to interfere with one of the most critical research projects? This is playing with December's lives! It's also trampling on the professional processes we've all worked together to build!"

These words were piercing to the heart. He cleverly shifted the focus from whether it was effective to whether it was compliant.

Faced with this overwhelming challenge from the program, McCorz retorted without hesitation: "Process? Jenkins, when a life is about to perish in your so-called perfect process, you're still talking to me about processes?!"

Her voice suddenly rose: "The real cruelty is causing the death of a polar bear that has no wariness of humans due to separation anxiety! This is what you bureaucrats who only know how to follow procedures have caused!"

"Enough!" Director Fisher finally spoke again, interrupting the argument that was about to spiral out of control.

He knew that it was pointless to dwell on whether the scientific aspects were right or wrong.

Because if the worst-case scenario occurs, the correctness of science becomes worthless in the face of overwhelming public opinion. This is a political time.

His voice grew heavy, and his gaze swept over everyone present: "The truth is, the project is at a standstill, December's health is deteriorating, and we must conduct a worst-case scenario simulation."

He glanced at his secretary, who immediately understood and projected a document onto the large screen.

That wasn't a public opinion analysis report, but rather a "Contingency Plan for the Assessment of Potential Public Opinion Risks of the December Project".

“Let’s assume,” Fisher’s tone was as cold as a scalpel, “that despite all our efforts, including getting Lin Yu’an on the project, December ultimately succumbed to psychological issues. What will we face then?”

He pointed to the first headline on the screen: Bloodthirsty Shark Media.

On the screen, a video appeared, which was footage of her and Lin Yu-an together two months ago in December.

The first half of the video shows a lonely, mournful little white furball in the wind and snow.

The second half shows a heartwarming scene inside the helicopter cabin, where Lin Yu-an gently holds it in his arms and feeds it little by little.

Fisher said, "This video was sent to us by the Discovery Channel. They wanted to know what was going on in December because of Lin Yu-an's sudden popularity. The 'Wilderness Solitary Life on the Frozen Throne' show will be released ahead of schedule!"

"In the public's perception, the first half of the story has already been defined: an orphan abandoned by Mother Nature is saved by a loving human hero."

"Now, if the story ends with this orphan dying in the quarantine area of ​​our research center, how do you think the media will tell the second half of the story?"

Fisher's voice became even harsher: "A public that has lost its senses will not care whether our relief plan is scientific or well-intentioned."

"They don't need complicated scientific explanations; they just need a simple story full of emotional conflict. A hero, a victim, and a villain."

"Lin Yu'an is the undeniable hero, and December is the heartbreaking victim."

His gaze, like a searchlight, slowly swept over Canadian representative Isabella and foundation representative Jenkins, finally settling on McCormick.

"So, ladies and gentlemen, who will play the villain who forcibly separates them and ultimately leads to tragedy?"

The meeting room was deathly silent. This question was like a bucket of ice water poured over everyone present.

They clearly foresaw the impending media storm that would tear them all to shreds.

Environment Canada will be criticized for inadequate oversight, the International Fund for Animal Protection will be questioned about its ability to provide cross-border assistance, and the Arctic Biological Research Center in Alaska will be at the center of the storm, labeled as unprofessional and a henchman.

Seeing everyone's silence, Director Fisher finally unveiled the solution he had prepared long ago, which was the real purpose of his meeting.

"Therefore, in order to avoid this potentially disastrous public opinion risk, I propose an emergency reorganization of the existing management structure of the December project."

He looked at McCormick, his eyes devoid of any emotion: "Dr. McCormick, on behalf of the board, I agree to your suggestion to invite Lin Yu-an to join the relief project in December."

This decision delighted McCormick, but what he said next made her heart sink.

Fisher stated unequivocally, "The center can continue to provide facilities and basic equipment to support your team in conducting follow-up research and rescue efforts."

"But the project will be separated from the research center's official structure and become an independent project led by Dr. McCorz's team."

"This means that all project funding, operational pressures, and ultimate legal and public opinion responsibilities for the project will be borne independently by Dr. McCorz's team in the future."

Isabella and Jenkins exchanged a glance, both seeing a subtle hint of relief in each other's eyes.

This plan perfectly removes Canadian officials and foundations from the dock ahead of time.

Fisher added, "Of course, the board also provides an alternative option."

He looked at McCormick, “A large marine park in Florida has shown great interest in December. They are willing to offer five million dollars to buy it and promise to provide it with the best living conditions.”

“Dr. McCormick, you know better than I do that Ocean Park has plenty of ways to feed it. Drugs, behavioral stimulants, all sorts of methods that we gentle scientists would never stoop to.”

“They can keep it alive and make it a big star, jumping in the pool every day and performing for tourists, until the very last moment of its life.” Fisherton paused. “And once we transfer ownership of December, whatever happens in the future, the legal and public responsibility will fall on that Ocean Park.”

"After all, as you know, zoos and aquariums often have animals that die unexpectedly. This is a normal phenomenon, and they have a mature system in place to handle it."

"With this $5 million, we can establish a special fund named after December, which will be jointly overseen by the three parties, and used for broader Arctic ecological protection research."

"This way, we can extend its life value and contribute to conservation efforts. Why not do it?"

See you in the picture!

McCormick felt a surge of cold anger rush from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

Fisher, that cunning little man, had this as his goal from the very beginning! He didn't want to offend the Canadian and international animal protection foundations, so he came up with this plan to shift the risk onto the aquarium!
She stood up abruptly, slamming her hands on the conference table with a thud, her body trembling slightly from extreme anger.

Those eyes, which were always full of vitality, now swept over everyone present like a cold current from beneath a polar glacier.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was like an icicle, piercing the eardrums of all the pampered bureaucrats present. "Impossible! If any of you dare to sell December as a commodity, I guarantee you'll regret it for the rest of your lives!"

Director Fisher frowned, looking at her coldly: "Dr. McCormick, watch your tone and your words. Are you threatening us?"

“A threat?” McCorz let out a cold sneer as she slowly pulled something out of the pocket of her white lab coat.

It was a professional-grade voice recorder that was flashing a faint red light.

“I didn’t threaten you, Director.” Her voice was eerily calm.

“I’m just stating a fact. This afternoon, my original plan was to record December’s breathing and heart rate samples in the isolation area. This equipment is part of my job, and it has been running.”

She gently placed the recorder in the center of the conference table. The faint red light emanating from it resembled the eye of a demon, causing everyone present to gasp in shock.

McCormick's lips curled into a crazy and resolute smile. "Every word we just exchanged, including Leclerc's watertight legal disclaimer and Jenkins' righteous moral accusations."

"Of course, that includes you, Director Fisher. Your perfect theory of putting a life on a five million dollar price tag to avoid risk and obtain funds... it's all here."

The air in the conference room seemed to be sucked out in that instant.

For the first time, Isabella and Jenkins' expressions turned somewhat grim.

McCormick's gaze swept across everyone's face like a sharp blade. "This recording may be legally flawed because it wasn't disclosed in advance."

"But in front of an angry public on the internet who only needs a simple story, do you think anyone will care whether it's legal or not?"

"I, McCormick, don't care about my career, I don't care about my reputation! But what about you?"

"Environment Canada's Rising Star?"

"A moral exemplar for international foundations?"

She finally pointed to Fisher: "And you, our highly respected center director?"

"If you dare to sell December, I guarantee that the day after the deal is done, this complete, unedited recording will be in the inboxes of every media outlet around the world!"

"Then, let's go together and explain to the world how we, in order to avoid risks, personally pushed a vibrant life into hell!"

These words were like a bomb, exploding in the closed conference room.

For the first time, a hint of undisguised shock and anger surfaced on Director Fisher's perpetually calm face.

He never imagined that his subordinate would dare to threaten him in such a reckless manner!
A deathly silence fell around the conference table. It was a fragile, tense balance.

After a long silence, Director Fisher took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger. He knew that what this crazy woman said was true, and she really dared to do it.

“Alright, Doctor.” His voice was dry, as if he were chewing sand. “It seems we all underestimated your determination for this project. So, the second option is that we can pretend it doesn’t exist.”

He paused, trying to regain the initiative: "However, the conditions of the first option will not change. The center can provide the venue, but the funding and responsibilities..."

“No.” McCormick interrupted him coldly; she knew it was her time to negotiate.

"The conditions need to be changed."

She met Fisher's gaze and said, word by word, without yielding an inch, "Since you're so afraid of taking responsibility and so eager to get rid of this hot potato of December, fine. I'll take it!"

"From today onwards, I will be fully responsible for the December project. I will bear all the risks of public opinion in the future."

"On the surface, this project will be completely severed from the Alaska Research Center, Environment Canada, and the International Animal Protection Foundation!"

This suggestion stunned everyone present.

A barely perceptible hint of relaxation flashed in Isabella and Jenkins' eyes.

Center Director Fisher was completely stunned. For the first time, his usually composed face revealed an undisguised look of astonishment and shock.

He never expected that McCormick would choose this path!
In his meticulously calculated scheme, the first independent option was not a real choice at all. It was a trap, a perfect prop used to highlight how reasonable the second option was.

Without the center's financial support and the endorsement of the expert team, how could a young scientist single-handedly support a huge polar bear rescue project? It was simply a pipe dream!

He had assumed that, faced with immense pressure, McCormick would eventually, after a painful moral struggle, accept the offer to sell to Ocean Park with tears in his eyes—a cruel but the only viable option.

By then, Fisher will not only be able to defuse this huge media bomb without bloodshed, but also earn a considerable sum of money for the center.

All moral condemnation can be attributed to the ruthless market and the unavoidable reality.

This should have been a perfect political scheme, killing three birds with one stone.

However, this bookworm, whom he saw as someone who only knew how to do scientific research and was somewhat idealistic and naive, actually took the bomb that he handed over that could explode at any moment!
At that moment, Fisher looked at the young female subordinate in front of him and felt a surge of... fear.

Fisher knew her well. He wouldn't be...
However, McCormick wasn't about to accept this bombshell so easily. She set a condition: "In exchange, the $500,000 in research start-up funding that the center had already approved for the December project cannot be reclaimed; that's what December deserves!"

Her gaze shifted to Jenkins, “As the oversight body and advocate for this rescue, the International Animal Protection Fund must provide a special ecological protection fund of one million US dollars for my independent project.”

“Use this money to buy out the priceless public opinion risks and reputational damage you may have to bear in the future. I think this is a very worthwhile deal.”

Jenkins couldn't help but exclaim, "You...you're extorting me!"

“You can understand it that way,” McCormick said firmly.

She paused for a moment, then turned her gaze to the Canadian representative, Isabella Leclerc, and stated her terms.

"Finally, and most importantly, I need Environment Canada to, in the form of an official document, completely and permanently relinquish its country of origin ownership for December, as well as all related rights thereafter."

“I want you to transfer all legal ownership of December to me, Dr. McCorz of the Arctic Animal Research Center, under the guise of special scientific research and humanitarian aid. Let me become its sole legal guardian.”

This request was like a real nuclear bomb detonating in the conference room.

This is unprecedented in the history of international wildlife conservation! Asking a country to relinquish ownership of an endangered polar bear is simply a fantasy!

Isabella Leclerc's face turned incredibly pale. She adjusted her glasses and said in a dry voice, "Dr. McCormick, do you know what you're saying? This is absolutely impossible!"

"A polar bear, as a natural heritage of Canada, belongs to all the people of Canada and cannot be transferred to any individual! This is a matter of principle!"

“Principles?” McCorz let out a short, cold sneer. She took a step forward, placed her hands on the table, leaned forward, and focused all her pressure on Isabella.

“Leclerc, let’s talk about principles.” Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was like an icicle.

"When the 'Living in the Wild' program team first reported the discovery of an abandoned, dying polar bear cub to Environment Canada's Northern Territory Authority through emergency channels, what were your principles?"

Isabella's pupils suddenly contracted.

McCormick gave her no chance to catch her breath, continuing to reveal that deliberately forgotten history in a cold tone.

"After a remote assessment, your experts concluded that the cub's chances of survival were slim, it was not worth rescuing in the wild, and that you should respect nature's choices. Wasn't that your initial principle?"

These words were like a resounding slap across Isabella's face. She tried to defend herself: "That was just a... preliminary assessment based on incomplete information..."

McCormick's voice suddenly rose, filled with absolute moral superiority: "If I hadn't bypassed you and contacted the International Wildlife Organization directly..."

"They presented a win-win cooperation plan involving the research center, foundation, and program team. Your Canadian Department of Environment simply will not agree to this authorized aid!"

Jenkins, the foundation representative standing to the side, also looked extremely grim. He cursed inwardly, "I shouldn't have gotten involved in this mess in the first place!"
Who could have imagined that a seemingly perfect, politically correct rescue operation, designed to promote fundraising, would end up in such a mess? A tiny polar bear even developed depression!

McCormick's eyes burned with contempt: "From the very beginning, you gave up on it!" She said each word like a nail, driving it into the hearts of everyone present. "It was I who rescued it from your principles!"

"So stop talking to me about the natural heritage of the Canadian people! A heritage that you can abandon at any time, now it's become a shield for you to shirk responsibility? Don't you think that's ridiculous?"

“Now, I’m giving you one more chance to give it up. Transfer ownership of it to me completely, something you never wanted in the first place.”

"That way, when December dies of depression and the world's media question the Canadian government about why it took a poor orphan from a hero, you can justifiably explain your actions to the entire Canadian people."

"In the spirit of humanitarianism, we have entrusted the future of December entirely to the world's most professional scientists. It is unfortunate, but we have done our best."

"Isn't this a perfect ending?"

Isabella's breathing became rapid. She found herself cornered by McCormick with nowhere to retreat.

The other party not only possesses recordings that could destroy their reputation, but also has the power to expose their shameful past.

She said with difficulty, "I...I don't have that authority. This decision needs to be reported to the Minister of the Environment, and it may even require discussion by the Cabinet."

Jenkins immediately chimed in, "A million-dollar grant is far beyond my approval authority; I need to report to the foundation's global board of directors."

They tried to use bureaucratic procedures to delay the process.

McCormick nodded, as if he had expected this outcome. "Very well, then I'll give you time."

She stood up, picked up the recorder on the table, and looked around at the three people present with a cold and resolute gaze.

"Ultimately, I need to see the Ownership Transfer Agreement signed by Environment Canada, as well as a formal letter from the International Animal Protection Foundation pledging a million-dollar grant."

“If I don’t get what I want,” a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips, “then I will hold a press conference that will be broadcast globally.”

"At that time, I will not only play this recording, but I will also show the whole world your original assessment report that recommended humane annihilation."

"Choose."

After saying that, she didn't look at anyone again, turned around, and walked out of the conference room with her head held high, leaving behind only a resolute back view and a deathly silence in the room.

The lights in the corridor were pale and cold.

The moment the conference room door closed completely, McCormick's straight back seemed to lose all its strength and slumped slightly.

The frenzied, all-consuming energy of the moment receded like the tide, leaving only boundless exhaustion and emptiness that overwhelmed her.

Did she win?

Yes, she may have won. She used reckless methods to force those bureaucrats and politicians to bow their heads, securing a lifeline and precious funds for December's survival.

But she lost too.

She lost the network of connections she had built up over many years, lost all her future options, and completely tied herself to December, a ship with an uncertain future that might soon sink.

She was like a gambler, betting everything at the poker table.

Now, the game is over. She has earned the right to remain at the table, but that's all.

She walked alone in the empty corridor, the "tap-tap" of her high heels hitting the ground the only echo in the silence, making her seem especially lonely.

She didn't know where to go. Should she go back to her office? It was no longer a safe haven.

Finally, she walked out of the cold building of the research center, letting the cold wind of Anchorage, mixed with snowflakes, blow on her burning cheeks.

She pondered this matter for a whole day.

That evening, she took out her phone and found the name she only contacted in the most crucial moments: Lin.

She didn't know why she made that call.

Is she trying to show off her victory to him? Or is she trying to confide in him about her helplessness?
But she knew that in this world, Lin Yu'an was the only person who truly cared about December as much as she did.

When Lin Yu'an listened quietly on the phone as McCormick recounted the thrilling power struggle in the conference room in an almost numb tone, she was deeply moved.

He could clearly sense that the strong woman on the other end of the phone was under tremendous pressure!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

(Sorry for the lateness. I wrote an event in 10,000-word increments, and after many revisions, my head was a little dizzy, but thankfully I managed to finish it.)

(End of this chapter)