A Family of Three

The next day.

Vireon Labs and Hale Group jointly announced that they would launch a new drug called VIREXIN. The official release was set for one week later.

Vireon Labs’s announcement quickly dominated several trending topics, with the Medica Society’s endorsement grabbing the most attention.

In the medical world, the Medica Society was like the ultimate hall of fame. Every doctor, pharmacist, or medical professional dreamed of joining it.

“Reports say this new drug, VIREXIN, is basically a miracle for cancer patients. It refreshes the mind, extends life, and even has resurrection-like effects…”

Even financial news started covering the launch.

Normally, Vireon Labs wouldn’t get this kind of attention, but with Hale Group backing them, the impact was huge.

Raina came downstairs, saw the news playing on TV, but didn’t pay much mind as she walked down.

Leif and the little one were already sitting at the dining table.

On the finely made long table, a simple breakfast was laid out—colorful and varied. The little one was sneakily picking carrots out of his plate and dropping them into Leif’s.

Leif caught the move and calmly put the carrots back into the kid’s plate. “Don’t be picky.”

The little guy looked a bit defeated, glancing at the carrots in his plate, hesitating. When Raina walked over, he seemed to want to show off a bit—he solemnly picked up a carrot, put it in his mouth, and practically swallowed it whole.

Leif looked at Raina and said, “Good morning, Miss Carrington. Come eat.”

Raina was only temporarily staying at Wexford Lane and wasn’t close with Leif, so she hadn’t expected there to be food for her. But there was—so she didn’t refuse, walking over and sitting across from him.

The breakfast was simple: bread, some side dishes, a few eggs, and milk. But surprisingly, a small dish of chili oil sat in front of her.

Raina had loved spicy food since she was a kid—she couldn’t live without it—so the chili oil was a nice surprise.

She was pretty hungry, so she happily ate the breakfast with the chili oil, feeling her stomach and mood brighten.

The little one kept staring at her with curiosity for a while, then carefully picked up an egg, peeled it, and placed it gently into the dish in front of Raina.

Leif explained, “He means you need balanced nutrition. Eggs are good for you.”

The kid gave Leif a look of disdain—annoyed that Leif stole his chance to give Raina the egg. But since he couldn’t say anything, he just lowered his head unhappily.

Raina looked at him and somehow felt sorry for the little guy.

Next moment, she reached out and gently rubbed the boy’s head, softly saying, “Thank you for the egg.”

The little one’s eyes lit up. He nodded eagerly, then turned to Leif with a proud look—he wasn’t saying it, but Leif could tell: he was bragging, and genuinely happy.

Raina’s gaze passed over the two of them, and suddenly a crazy thought popped up in her mind—like a family of three.

She choked on the thought, coughing a few times until she calmed down. Seeing Leif and the little one both looking at her, she awkwardly waved her hand and forced a laugh, “Haha… it’s nothing… just ate too fast… all good… cough…”

After breakfast, the little guy went upstairs.

Leif tidied up the dishes and then headed into the kitchen. To Raina’s surprise, he started washing the dishes himself. His movements were smooth and practiced, like this was something he did regularly.

Well, it made sense. Even a wealthy single dad had to learn how to take care of his kid.

“Did you make breakfast yourself?” Raina asked, not really sure why she didn’t just leave but instead leaned casually against the kitchen doorframe.

It felt a bit like the start of awkward small talk.

Leif kept washing the dishes. “Yeah, I’m used to it. The little one’s picky—he doesn’t like food made by others.”

Raina rubbed the tip of her nose, then carefully asked, “Does the little one… not talk?”

Since yesterday, even when he was almost losing control, the kid hadn’t made a sound.

She’d checked his vocal cords on a whim during her exam yesterday—everything looked fine.

So... the kid just didn’t want to speak?

For some reason, she realized she cared a bit more than she expected about this kid she barely knew.

Leif’s hand froze for a moment, then he turned and put away the clean dishes. “Yeah, the little one went through some trauma before. His vocal cords are fine, but he just refuses to talk.”

“Trauma?” Raina’s brow furrowed.

What kind of trauma could cause such a young kid to shut down like that?

Leif seemed reluctant to discuss it and quickly changed the subject. “Miss Carrington, you’re a doctor, right? Do you think there’s any way to get him talking again?”

His vocal cords were fine, so it was probably a psychological issue. Raina didn’t specialize in that area but still wanted to try.

After thinking it over, she said, “I’m not an expert in that, but if you’re okay with it, I can give it a shot.”

“If you need anything, just tell me. I’ll handle it,” Leif replied.

Raina crossed her arms, thoughtful. “Actually… there is one thing. Um, I need to go out for a bit later. Can I borrow your car?”

She’d noticed yesterday that Wexford Lane was in a prime but remote spot on the mountainside—quiet and peaceful, but not very convenient to get around. Even ride-share cars weren’t allowed in.

“Follow me,” Leif said.

“Oh, okay,” she replied.

…

A few minutes later.

Wexford Lane garage.

The garage had three levels. On the ground floor were Leif’s usual cars. The rare Rolls-Royce Cullinan he’d driven yesterday was parked there.

Next to it was a brand-new Mercedes G-Class AMG—the famous ‘G-Wagon.’

The sleek lines gleamed under the light; it was clearly a custom edition.

Raina had also driven a custom G-Wagon overseas. She ran her hand lightly along the car’s side, then looked up at Leif. “Mr. Vexley, can I borrow this one?”

Leif pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. “The keys are inside. Drive safely.”

She thought she saw a flash of displeasure cross his face—but maybe she was imagining it.

Raina shook her head, then said, “To cure the Velvet Mercy poison, I’ll need some special herbs. I’ll make you a list later.”

“Alright,” Leif said.

Just as she finished speaking, Raina scratched her head and cleared her throat. “Uh… maybe we should exchange contacts? W******p or I*******m? That way I can just send you the herb list directly.”

“Okay, but later,” Leif replied.

Raina had already pulled out her phone and looked at him in surprise. “Later? Huh?”

Was that… a polite rejection?

***