Aria spoke slowly. "Who's that person?"Olivia seemed fearful, glancing around nervously. "I… I don't know. I can't tell you. I'll be punished."Aria sensed something was wrong from Olivia's frantic rambling. She reached out and checked Olivia's pulse, finding it erratic.Raising her chin, Aria locked eyes with Olivia. Her gaze turned cold. "Did someone put a curse on you?"Olivia suddenly went crazy and slapped herself. "The heavens will punish me for this! Why did I say anything?"Tears streamed down her face. "Lily, you must study hard. You're all I have. If you get into a good college, I'll be able to enjoy life in the city." Then, she grabbed Aria's hand. "Lily, you promised to buy your brother a house. I know you love me more—more than that useless daughter of mine!" Aria paused after hearing that. "You have a daughter?"Olivia stared at Aria. "I had difficulty giving birth. Despite all that effort, the baby turned out to be a girl! Why can't I have any sons? What bad l
Malcolm's phone clattered to the floor as he stood in shock. Memories of everything he'd said to Aria flashed through his mind.He vividly recalled their first meeting, where he treated her like his sister. He had even assured Shiloh and the others that he could protect her.Suddenly, he realized the true meaning behind Aria's smile. The weight of these memories caused his knees to buckle.He'd never imagined his mysterious boss, the one he pictured as a powerful elite running a vast empire from a luxurious office, could be someone so close to him. And to top it all off, she was even younger than him!Aria's beautiful face made her look more like an actress than a doctor. She also happened to be the "fake heiress" that the Short family had scorned. His head spun as he scrambled to pick up his phone, his fingers flying across the screen in a flurry of frantic typing. But Aria was quicker. A message popped up saying, "Investigate it now."Could it be true? Was Aria really his boss
Ever since the last examination, Cameron had not contacted Lily. However, upon hearing that they were coming to Janovin, Lily took the initiative. She booked a hotel and even planned their trip.Cameron found it difficult to reject her when she had done so much. "Don't worry. Grandpa isn't that old-fashioned."Although Abraham didn't know the details of what had transpired between the younger generation, he found it hard to like Lily. After all, she hadn't visited Georgina once despite being back for a long time.Nevertheless, politeness prevailed, and he wouldn't outright dismiss her. He beckoned Cameron over.Cameron stepped forward. "Grandpa, Lily came to visit you."Abraham nodded and offered Lily a polite smile. "Lily, I have a pressing appointment today. Unfortunately, I won't be able to spend much time." He glanced at Cameron, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "Take good care of our guest."Cameron was clueless about where his grandfather was heading. Lily lowered he
Frank still found it hard to believe that Aria was the very person he'd been searching for. The irony of it all—he'd even tasked her with investigating Ms. Carver's whereabouts—embarrassment burned in his gut.Aria casually called out to him, "Frank."His awkwardness intensified at the sound of her voice. Aria raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his reaction.Frank regained his composure and gave her a courteous smile, though it seemed rather unnatural. "C-Can we talk privately?"Aria smiled nonchalantly. "I have a feeling I know what you want to say, but is it urgent? If not, I'd love to join your distant relative for some stew."Performing surgery was a demanding task, and the only thing she'd eaten was noodles. It wasn't exactly filling. She was famished. Besides, she needed time to process the revelation about her identity.Frank instinctively wanted to correct her that Landon wasn't their distant relative, but he didn't have the guts to do so with Landon right beside them.But Ar
Landon's slender wrist somehow managed to pull off the scrunchie with an air of elegance. Aria couldn't help but glance at it. Suddenly, she asked, "What do the Carvers think about their missing daughter?"Landon smiled as he ladled her some stew. "Mr. Carver Senior has been searching for her for years. Why do you suddenly ask?""Oh, just curious," Aria mumbled, feigning casual interest. "I thought I should know my patients better. Besides, you are, like, distant relatives, right?"Landon, mid-scoop, paused at her words. "Actually, we're not exactly distant relatives. It's more like our grandfathers knew each other. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been bethrothed to Ms. Carver in the first place."Aria only remembered about the betrothal when he mentioned it. She shot him an odd look.Landon didn't want her to misunderstand. "We already called it off, though. Especially now that they have finally found their daughter, they're willing to cancel it.""Oh." She took another bite of her s
Landon thought Warren was there for Jeffrey, so he rose to greet him. However, Warren rushed past him, his eyes filled with hope that glistened alongside the raindrops clinging to his shoulders and hair. Gone was his usual arrogance. "Rainbow," Warren's voice trembled, "I've finally found you."Landon, setting cutlery for Warren, froze. A look of utter shock, a rare sight on his handsome face, contorted his features. He immediately gazed at Aria, who maintained an indifferent expression.Rainbow? Could Aria be the fiancée he'd never met?A frown creased Landon's brow as he recalled his earlier conversation with Aria. He'd assured her the engagement was off.Landon gripped the spoon tightly, his emotions unreadable.Warren approached Aria. "You've grown up so well," he said, his voice hoarse. "I couldn't sleep after you were kidnapped. Nightmares of you being hungry haunted me. Thankfully, you're still…"Warren couldn't bear to say the word "alive."He had been the most worri
No young woman would want to become their family's breadwinner at such a young age. Life had dealt Aria a cruel hand. She should have been doted on like a princess, not treating patients and being targeted by smugglers, only to be taken back to the mountains. Warren's hand trembled violently, his body swaying precariously. Thankfully, Aria was quick to react, catching him before he could fall. However, her brow furrowed with concern as she checked his pulse. "Did someone change the prescription I gave you?""No!" Warren rasped, a fit of coughing wracking his frail frame.Frank and Keith looked on with worried looks.Aria immediately fed him a piece of medicinal candy. "Did you get caught in the rain on your way here?"Warren, finally regaining his breath, managed a shaky nod. After examining his acupuncture points, Aria noted, "There's an abnormality in your lung sounds." Then she let out a light chuckle devoid of sarcasm. "You need to take it easy, avoid getting soaked. You
Aria's brows furrowed at Landon's words. "I already told you not to believe—"Before she could finish, Landon silenced her again, his hand muffling her speech. He pulled her close, a low chuckle rumbling in her ear. "Let's talk about this privately."Aria's eyes narrowed, and her beauty mark stood out even more. Landon leaned in, his thin lips brushing chastely against her hair. "You can bite me as hard as you want later, back at the clinic. I'll help you deal with your grandmother. She must be worried sick. Even if you did escape the village; she'll still be furious that you took such a risk. I'll help smooth things over."His voice was a low murmur, coaxing and seductive.Aria was instantly mesmerized. After a brief internal debate, she nodded, oblivious to the closeness of their bodies. Meanwhile, Warren glared daggers at Landon, who in turn offered a cheeky grin. "Surely your grandfather wouldn't try to separate us, would he?"Warren bristled at Landon's attempt to paint h