Chapter 8

However, regardless of the past, Elianna is living well. In contrast, Livia, who has struggled for five years, is likely reaching her breaking point.

Elianna walked slowly into the living room, only to hear Professor Wellington's voice saying, "Ms. Wyndham's condition can no longer be delayed. A heart transplant is the last and only option. But, as Mr. Kensington mentioned, finding a suitable donor is difficult. I can tell you that for cases like Ms. Wyndham’s, if you could convince Dr. Carrington to help, she may be able to prolong Ms. Wyndham's life. She’s an expert in this field, but she’s retired from medicine and moved into business. I wonder if she would help for the sake of my reputation…"

Joseph suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure, and as he looked up, his face froze in shock.

Elianna stood before him, her expression a half-smile. Her eyes moved slowly from him to Livia.

It had been five years since we last met, and she had become even thinner. She appeared fragile and weak, with a pale complexion, likely due to coughing up blood earlier.

Livia noticed a strange expression on Joseph's face and followed his gaze. As soon as she saw Elianna, a hint of confusion flashed in her eyes.

It felt like...

she thought for a second. That woman had returned!

But after a closer look, she was sure it wasn’t her.

Despite their similar body shapes and facial features, their temperaments were different. Most notably, Myla had an ugly birthmark on her face, which had been impossible to forget.

Wellington stood up immediately when he saw Elianna and said, "Carrington, you're here!"

Elianna smiled and said, "Senior, long time no see. How have you been?"

Joseph's face took on a hint of mystery and inscrutability.

Is this Elianna the "miracle-working apprentice" that Wellington mentioned?

Wellington walked over and shook Elianna's hand, saying, "Everything is fine, everything is fine!"

He suddenly looked behind her. "Hmm? Where is Owen?"

Elianna said, "Owen wasn’t feeling well, so he stayed home."

Wellington said, "Catching a cold seems common lately. It’s especially concerning when children get a fever."

Joseph was lost in thought.

Did she have a son?

He just remembered that he heard a rumor that Ms. Carrington, the fifth daughter of the Carrington family, had gone missing for a period of time after a car accident. Later, she returned with a son, but the father was unknown.

Owen...

Was he her illegitimate child?

Elianna glanced at Joseph as if he were a stranger and asked, "Who is this?"

Joseph smirked. It was clear she had recognized him immediately, but she wanted nothing to do with him.

Wellington introduced, "This is... a friend introduced to me by an old friend, Mr. Kensington. He’s here to seek advice for Ms. Wyndham. She suffers from severe heart failure but has been unable to find a suitable donor for transplant surgery. He hopes you can provide medical guidance."

He paused and said, "Carrington, I remember you were studying heart failure in your master’s program, right?"

Elianna said, "My mother passed away from heart disease, which is why I chose to pursue a career in medicine. I’ve studied heart-related conditions extensively."

Joseph's face changed slightly: "You studied medicine?"

Wellington proudly exclaimed, "Carrington was the brightest student of my tutor. She earned a scholarship to the Imperial University of Medical Sciences at just sixteen. By nineteen, she became Master Keaton’s disciple. She’s the youngest doctor in the university’s history specializing in critical care medicine."

Joseph's thin lips tightened into a thin line as he said, "I didn’t realize Ms. Carrington was such a medical genius."

Suddenly, he said, "If Ms. Carrington is willing to help, I would be extremely grateful."

Elianna said with a poker face, "Mr. Kensington, don’t be so quick to be ‘grateful.’ Why should I agree to your request?"

Joseph said, "If you agree to help, you can set any condition you wish. As long as I’m able, I will fulfill it."

Elianna shook her head and said, "I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to meet the conditions I set."

Joseph's eyes darkened slightly as he said, "What conditions would Ms. Carrington propose?"

There was a subtle change in the atmosphere.

Wellington noticed a flicker of resentment in Elianna’s eyes.

Hatred?

He knew his junior well—could she have some kind of grudge against Mr. Kensington?

Before Elianna could speak, her phone rang.

She said, "Excuse me for a moment"

She picked up her phone and walked to the side, saying, "Hello?"

The other person had just said a few words, and Elianna's face suddenly changed: "What?"

She immediately ended the phone call and hurriedly walked towards the door. Suddenly, she thought of something and turned around, saying to Wellington, "Senior, Owen is in trouble, I..."

Wellington's face changed: "What's going on..."

Elianna nodded, "Senior, you entertain the distinguished guest first. I’ll come by another time."

Without another word, she turned and left without looking back.

Joseph immediately chased after her, saying, "Wait!"

Elianna, however, paid no attention!

Elianna ignored him,

but Joseph persisted, catching up to her and grabbing her wrist, pulling her back toward him.

Elianna lost her balance and almost fell into his arms.

She was feeling impatient and didn't want to get too involved with him. She suddenly shook off his hand and said, "Mr. Kensington, please behave! There are boundaries between men and women—stop pulling me like that!"

Joseph sneered and approached her, saying, "That night, you were in my bed. Why didn’t you mention ‘boundaries’ then?"

Elianna said, "I didn’t feel the need to stoop to that level with you."

Joseph: "I wasn’t joking with you either. The woman you saw—‘Livia Wyndham’—is important to me. You must save her life!"

"Must? Are you ordering me now?" Elianna laughed upon hearing such a commanding word. "Of course, I know how important she is to you!"

It is important to note that, for the sake of this woman, he could heartlessly abandon even his own flesh and blood!

Because of this woman, he disregarded her life and left her trapped in a desperate inferno!

How could she not know?

Hatred surged in Elianna’s chest.

Elianna stared at him intently, each word squeezed out of her teeth, "Why should I save her?"

Joseph: "You’re a doctor. You can’t just stand by and watch someone die!"

Elianna sneered, "You’re trying to manipulate me morally. Didn’t you hear? I’ve abandoned medicine. Now, I’m a businesswoman. If you want anything from me, it’s all about business. Show me your sincerity if you want to negotiate."

Joseph's tone was equally cold as he said, "And what does Ms. Carrington consider ‘sincerity’?"

Elianna: "Didn’t you beg me once? How will you show your sincerity now?"

Joseph froze.

Elianna said expressionlessly, "What, noble Mr. Kensington, the billionaire heir of the Kensington family in Sylphora, forced to bow before someone like me? I’m sure that would be worse than torture for you. You said that woman is important to you—prove it."

Joseph approached again, grabbing her face, "Are you playing games with me?"