Melanie could tell what Nathaniel was about to do. She quickly went forward and helped him lift his blanket as she massaged his calves. "Look! Your legs weren't amputated! You're fine, so don't worry too much. Trust me!""Trust you?" Nathaniel glanced at her sideways and scoffed, "I trusted you too much!"Melanie did not know what to say. She just sighed and tucked the blanket for him before standing straight. "I know you hate me now so much that you want to kill me, but I didn't lie to you. Nate, I did what I had to for our future! Still, I know it hurts you, so do whatever you want to me, be it punching me or cursing me. I'll take it all, but you must stay calm now and not hurt yourself! Can you do that?"Her voice was gentle as usual, while remorse and concern were written all over her face. Nathaniel refused to speak to her. His expression was still dark, but he did not ask her to leave anymore."Do you know how painful it was for me when I heard you got into an accident? I w
"Are you sure the formula is good to go?" Nathaniel said weakly. His voice was hoarse, and when he spoke, his throat hurt.Although he still had not looked in Melanie’s direction, this was enough for her because it meant he was willing to compromise."Yeah. We went there last night to test out the formula. To be safe, we avoided the rest, so we…" she tried to explain herself.However, her explanation sounded shrill to his ears. He had been trying to forget, but as soon she mentioned the words “last night” and “we,” the scene flashed across his mind again, provoking his every nerve and making his blood boil.He took a few deep breaths and curled his hands into fists, saying through gritted teeth, "Don't mention last night's incident to me again!"Melanie stopped talking and sat down by his bed. Looking at the side of his face, she said, "I didn't want to hurt you this way, but I'll make things clear to you since you found out about it. Yes, I was wrong, but you cannot deny that you
Coincidentally, the duo wanted to visit the beach for different reasons. As a kid who grew up surrounded by vast acres of land, Olivia had never seen the wide open seas. That was why she wanted to visit the beach. As for Lily, she just wanted to get some inspiration.Lily had gone to the beach before, but her memory of it was vague. Perhaps it had been a long time since she last visited, which was when she was still a little girl. She thought she might discover new things in a new place.They had agreed on the location, and the next thing to do was to request a time to go on their trip from their beloved CEO, Alexander. They had to coordinate with Jenny’s time, but everything was going great. The two sunk into temporary silence after deciding on the details of the trip. Olivia was on her phone, but she looked up suddenly toward Lily, finally asking the question she had been hesitant to ask, “Did you know that the b*stard, Nathaniel, got hospitalized because he got into an accident?
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting?” Lily poked a finger at Olivia’s forehead, pushing the latter back into her seat.“Hey! There are just some things we can’t explain in this world!” As Olivia took a seat, she explained herself, thinking that her words made a lot of sense. “Well, I think God is helping you punish him for all his bad deeds!”Lily shook her head. “That’s enough. I’m going to get the bill. Wait for me, gossip girl!” “You’re going to be so bored if I didn’t have all this gossip for you!” Olivia retorted in defense. When Lily stood up, she saw Olivia’s phone on the table. It still displayed pictures of the accident, making her think, ‘Is this really karma for Nathaniel?’After parting ways with Olivia, Lily went to Collectors Street. She looked around for interesting items, spending her rare free time in relaxation. This was a street that sold antiques, both authentic and fake ones. Buyers had to determine the authenticity of the goods by themselves.After wal
‘This boy is interesting. He looks so young, but his words are harsh. However, he still has much to learn when arguing with someone else. Just look at how mad he is after I retorted.’“Go away! Leave now if you’re not going to buy anything! You’re going to distract me from my work.” Instead of saying that Lily would disrupt his business, he said she would distract him from working. This shop owner was indeed an interesting one.However, Lily found it more fascinating to talk to him the more he talked back to her. “Who says I’m not buying anything? I just haven’t found an item I liked yet.”“There’s nothing you’ll like here! Just leave now!”‘Wow! It’s my first time seeing a business owner who shoos his customers away.’ Just as Lily was about to say something, she saw the curtain pushed aside, revealing an older man who rebuked the young man as soon as he came out. “You’re scaring away our customers again! Do you still want to work here? Get out if you don’t!”“I-I…” The young ma
"I think it has a unique scent," Lily said without beating around the bush. "Your shop has a scent that's a mixture of many things, so I'm guessing that you used different woods for your carvings, am I right?" At first, it puzzled the owner, but he finally understood what Lily meant. "Oh my! I see you're an expert. We use the best wood in our shop, and I assure you that you'll find what you want here. Ma'am, what type of wood would you like your carvings to be made from? You can also place an order if none of the goods here piqued your interest. Price-wise…""You take private orders for customization here, too?" Lily asked with interest. "Sure we do! After all, different customers have different likings and preferences. Although this is a small shop, we could meet most of our customers' needs. The customized items would cost more, but it's worth the price. The most important thing is you get what you want, making you happy."Lily could save a lot of time thanks to the owner's e
The owner stopped Lily since he could not miss such a money-making opportunity. "Ma'am, hold on! Thank you for appreciating and taking a liking to his work. That's a great affirmation to him. I'm in charge here, so he has no right to choose his tasks. He’ll take your order, and I promise he’ll create the perfect craft for you. You won't be disappointed!""Boss, I…""Shut up! Get out forever if you don't want to do this!"After Lily paid the deposit and took her receipt, she walked over to the block of wood that the young man was still carving. She lowered her gaze to look at it before bending down to pick up a scrap of wood. "Sir, can I take this with me?""Of course!" the owner said casually because it was just a tiny scrap of wood.Lily heard footsteps behind her a short while after she left the shop. She stopped without turning back and noticed that the person behind her had stopped too.She smiled and continued walking, then turned into an alley quickly. Her back was pressed
The young man was silent for a moment before he said in determination, “Yes! Is there a problem?”“Nope! Since that’s the case, I want you to use this type of wood for my order. As for what to carve, I need to think about it. Once I’ve decided, I’ll tell your boss about it,” she said, waving the scrap wood between her fingers and turning to leave.“Wait!” the young man called out anxiously behind her.Lily stood in her spot before she turned to face him again.“I’m not sure of the size you’d like. There might not be enough wood for that.” He was frowning, looking troubled. “That shouldn’t be a problem. You can let your boss know, and then he can purchase more wood.” Lily smiled and said casually, “You don’t need to worry about that. That’s your boss’ job.”“Well…” He pursed his lips. “The factory won’t have enough wood as well. Anyway, you just can’t use this type of wood.”He was hiding something from Lily. She did not force him to tell her but just smiled and looked at him. “
Lily tilted her head up to fight back her tears, saying, “There’s something I find strange.”“What is it?” Mike asked after comforting his son.“Instead of detaining Prince Ross, Her Majesty has sent him back to Yudonia. If so, why couldn’t we reach him?”After some thought, Mike answered, “There are two possibilities. It’s probably due to poor signals, or he doesn’t want us to contact him.”The two shared a look, knowing what each other was wondering.‘Why can’t we contact Ross? Is he planning something?’…Three days later, Lily inserted the last needle into the queen’s leg and looked up at her, saying, “You should start feeling your legs tomorrow. Still, it’ll take some time before you can stand.”Suddenly, Lily chuckled.“Why are you laughing?” Yasmin touched her legs. She had begun to regain sensation in her legs over the last two days. She then began to believe that she could get up. However, the queen was hesitant when the queen heard Lily chuckle.Lily shook her head
Lily straightened up and said without resentment, “Of course, you wouldn’t.”“That’s… quite a pity,” the queen murmured thoughtfully.“Well, there’s a price to pay for everything. That’s how the world balances itself,” Lily continued, “I can’t stop you if you must carry on with R10. Still, I won’t witness whether or not it succeeds. I just wish the outcome isn’t something you’ll regret.”Lily smiled and turned to head out the door.Rick heard their conversation as he stood guard outside. After exchanging looks with Lily as she brushed past him, he entered the room and saw the needles in Yasmin’s legs. “Your Majesty, those needles—”The queen waved dismissively. “It’s okay. Lily will remove them later.”Even so, Rick was wary. “You’re being too careless, Your Majesty. What if that woman—”“She wouldn’t,” Yasmin interjected, shaking her head."Why do you trust her so much?" Rick asked despite himself. The queen fell silent. If Rick had not asked her that, she would not have rea
Lily took out a cloth and unfolded it, revealing a row of silver needles inside. Yasmin was surprised she carried the needles with her.“Tell me. What do you want?” The queen took a deep breath to calm herself. She then reminded herself that she could always say no to Lily’s request. Still, Yasmin was cautious about Lily trying to trick her.Lily casually said, "I left because Prince Ross wanted to help me. I hope you don’t punish him.""That's it?" Yasmin thought she had misheard Lily. 'Is she trying to talk terms with me just so that I won't punish my son?' she wondered in disbelief."Ross is my son. I won't harm him. Don't you think you've wasted an opportunity by making such a request?" The queen shook her head. "I wasn’t sure if you’d blame him, but he did rescue me once. If I don't do anything, it would be ungrateful of me," Lily said gently, "Also, didn’t you already lock him up?"Yasmin was puzzled. "No, I only sent him back to Yudonia. He kept trying to get me to sto
"Three days," Lily replied.“That’s it?!” Yasmin was in disbelief. She thought Lily would try to buy some more time and suspected she would say the process would take several months or even years.‘I haven’t felt my legs for over a decade. I wouldn’t mind waiting for three more days.’“Are you sure I can get up and walk in just three days?” Yasmin pressed her legs hard but felt nothing. She would have treated her legs long ago if it were that easy.The queen had visited many famous doctors from various countries, but they could only stop her legs from getting weaker. However, Lily confidently told Yasmin that she could fix her legs so quickly.Yasmin wanted to believe it.After some consideration, Lily said, “I can’t guarantee that you’ll walk as fast as you once could. After all, you haven’t used your legs for a long time, and your muscles have atrophied. Still, you’ll recover slowly.”Yasmin nodded repeatedly, thinking it was good enough. She never dreamed of walking as well a
“Because only our opinions matter." Lily thought of something and said, "Unless you choose to believe Rhea.""I… don't trust anyone." Yasmin’s expression stiffened as she turned her wheelchair away."Your Majesty, I know you're dedicated to the experiment, but there are other things in life. Have you ever considered letting go of your burden to sightsee? You’ve done enough as a queen over the last few decades. Aren’t you tired of living a lonely life?”Lily gently spoke as she gazed at Yasmin’s back.The older woman caressed her knees with both hands and stared down at her legs, murmuring, “Sightsee, huh? I’ve forgotten what that’s like.”Yasmin had not used her legs for many years. Initially, she could still stand up and sometimes took a few steps. However, she could no longer get to her feet.She had grown accustomed to sitting in a wheelchair, but she felt a pang of sorrow after hearing Lily’s suggestion.Lily asked, “What if I can help you stand again? What if you can walk a
"Yes, I returned not just for him but also for you," Lily said, "I'm sure you were anxious for my return, weren't you?"Yasmin scoffed dismissively. "Why would I be? I have my bargaining chip. Besides, did you honestly think I couldn’t bring you back?""Bargaining chip? Do you mean Nick?" Lily shook her head with a smile. "Don't forget that he's not my son. Do you think he'll be much of a bargaining chip to you if I choose to ignore him for my three children?"She did not wait for Yasmin to reply and continued, "Besides, Nick still has a father who’s willing to die for him. If Mike decides to take drastic action against you— Yes, you're a queen, and you don't care much about an insignificant businessman.“However, don't forget that his business spans worldwide. There's no guarantee what he might do. Who knows, he might spread information that can affect Your Majesty and Yudonia's reputation?""You…" The queen was exasperated but could not retort.Lily noticed it and casually said
Rick could only remain silent at that moment.Yasmin then turned her wheelchair around and blandly said, “Bring Lily over. I’d like to see what excuses that sly woman can come up with.”"Your Majesty?" Rick was puzzled. "You know she'll just lie to you. Why must you—"Yasmin interjected, "I'd like to hear what she has to say."Rick had no choice but to leave and do as she said.As Lily was about to doze off, she heard noises from outside and opened her eyes. Immediately after, the door opened, and Rick appeared. He glared at her and spoke coldly, “Her Majesty wants to see you.”Lily glanced at Rick calmly and stood up as if she had expected his appearance. On the other hand, Mike rose before her and headed out.However, Rick stopped him as he reached the door. “You stay.”"But we came together!" Mike glanced over his shoulder at Lily, signaling her to persuade the man. Rick added, "The queen doesn’t wish to see you. Just stay here!"Lily patted Mike's shoulder and said gentl
Everyone was shocked when Lily returned to the embassy with Mike. One of the staff members quickly left to report the news to Queen Yasmin.Meanwhile, Lily saw people peering at her and Mike from the corner. Afterward, several guarded-looking men appeared. Lilt recognized them as the queen’s attendants. They brought Mike and Lily inside and then gave the duo a thorough search.The men only relaxed after finding nothing suspicious about the duo. Even so, Lily could not see the queen as the men told her to wait in an innermost room instead.After returning to the embassy, Lily felt a sense of strange familiarity. Although she knew the place well, her mindset had changed.She previously hated the embassy and simply wanted to escape. However, she had returned with a critical mission. Not only did she have to complete it, but she also needed to leave the place in one piece.While she was calm, Mike was somewhat anxious. He clasped his hands on his knees and glanced around as he sat dow
"I promise I'll do anything you want, okay?" Mike begged. He was desperate to see his son, so he decided to follow Lily when she insisted on returning to the embassy.Mike continued, “If any of you go with her, they might stop or suspect you. They won’t do that to me. It’s natural for me to want to see and rescue my son. I’m the best candidate because it makes sense for me to sacrifice myself for him.”After a short silence, Lily said, “You’re right.” She then looked at Alexander, who pondered before slowly raising his head and saying, “Me too.”Dominic tapped the table. "So do I."Cameron thought for a moment before saying, "I've no objections."Seeing this, Austin spread his arms and said, "Since you all agree, what else can I say? Let's do it!"It did not matter whether or not he agreed, but he just wanted to support Mike. The latter nodded and became emotional, saying, “Thanks, you guys!”"Why are you thanking us? Just be careful, and don’t be rash like you promised," Aust