ANMELDENThe treatment officially began that afternoon.The process proved far more painful than Isolde had imagined. The so-called core cell regeneration technology and skeletal reconstruction were not gentle repairs but a violent procedure that bordered on destruction and rebirth.A specially formulated solution was injected into both of her hands. Intense pain swept through every nerve in her body, like countless red-hot steel needles piercing and twisting through the gaps in her bones.The machines activated at once. Precise mechanical force worked on her old injuries, producing sharp, teeth-grinding sounds as her bones were adjusted."Ugh… ah…" Broken cries slipped through Isolde's clenched teeth. Cold sweat covered her forehead, and her face turned pale as paper.Outside the treatment room, separated by a pane of glass, Bruce stood without moving.The hand at his side was clenched into a fist. His knuckles had turned white, and veins bulged along the back of his hand. A violent stor
Bruce likely would not have agreed to separate rooms.Isolde turned her head and instinctively looked at him, waiting for him to speak.He remained silent for two seconds, then gave a faint nod. He actually agreed.Isolde stared at him in astonishment.After opening the door, Bruce helped her settle in. He told her to rest well and said he would come to see her later. Then he turned and prepared to follow the royal steward to his room.Isolde watched his back as he walked away. In the end, she could not hold back. She called softly, "Bruce."He turned around.Isolde looked into his deep eyes and spoke in a low voice. "You… don't have anything you want to say to me?"For example, why had he agreed to separate rooms? That was not his style.Bruce looked at her for a moment, then walked back and stopped in front of her. He explained patiently, "This is the Karsden royal residence. There are certain customs and arrangements that I also need to respect."The explanation sounded re
Drops of water still clung to the tips of Bruce's dark hair, glinting faintly in the sunlight. He had even changed clothes. He no longer wore the rigid suit from earlier but a simple dark casual outfit."You…" Isolde instinctively glanced out the window. The sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky. "Did it rain?"Bruce's eyes flickered slightly. He casually lifted a hand and brushed aside the damp strands on his forehead. "No. A maid brought coffee earlier and accidentally spilled it on me, so I went to take a shower."'Accidentally spilled coffee. Such an old cliché,' she thought.Isolde studied him with suspicion. "Was she quite attractive too?""I didn't notice."She clicked her tongue. "Tsk. You really attract attention."Bruce's gaze darkened. His thumb rubbed lightly against the web between his fingers before he spoke in a low voice. "My soul is already with you. No matter how much effort other women put in, it's useless. Mrs. Princeton, you can rest assured."Isolde had o
Claudia wrapped a silk bathrobe around herself and walked gracefully toward the hot spring pool.The moment she reached the edge and saw the man soaking in the outdoor spring, her entire body froze as if struck by lightning. "You… what are you wearing?" she stammered.Bruce sat in the hot spring wearing a black diving suit that covered him tightly from neck to toe.Yet he answered without hesitation, "Swimwear."Claudia's beautiful face twisted with anger, her teeth clenched. "Bruce! We're soaking in a hot spring, not diving. Why are you dressed like that?"Bruce remained composed and did not even lift his eyelids. "I'm allergic to sulfur water."Claudia fell speechless again.She burned with anger. Even though she knew Bruce was talking nonsense, she had no solid evidence to refute him.Bruce continued urging her. "Hurry up and get in. Finish early. I still have to pick up my wife."He treated soaking in the hot spring with her like a task to complete, without the slightest t
Isolde met the scrutinizing stare and felt a faint unease rise in her chest, but her upbringing kept her composed.She gave a slight nod and smiled politely. "Hello, I'm Isolde Vancrest."Claudia's gaze drifted away, as though acknowledging Isolde required too much effort.She turned and addressed someone in a white uniform behind her with composed elegance. "Dr. Mills, take Ms. Vancrest to the medical center for a full checkup and initial assessment. Prepare the treatment according to the original plan."Nestor Mills bowed respectfully. "Yes, Your Highness."Claudia then looked back at Bruce. Her expression shifted at once into a smile that carried familiarity and subtle possessiveness. "Bruce, everything is done as you said. Satisfied?""Thank you." Bruce offered a brief, cool reply. He lifted Isolde in his arms and followed the doctor toward the medical center, leaving the crown princess behind.Claudia watched him carry Isolde without even sparing her a glance. Frustration t
Magdalene gasped. Her eyes widened at once, and her voice rose before she could control it. "Are you insane? Dating her? What about your wife? If she finds out you made this kind of deal with another woman just to heal her hands…" She grabbed Bruce's arm in panic. "You haven't even won her heart yet, and you're already throwing everything away! Hey, you're losing your mind!"Bruce brushed her hand aside. His eyes were deep and calm, carrying an unyielding resolve. "She doesn't have to know.""But…" Magdalene looked worried. "There's no wall the wind can't seep through. Claudia isn't someone who plays fair. She worked so hard to get this chance. How could she possibly stay in line? This is a ticking time bomb!"Bruce lifted his gaze and looked past the door toward Isolde, who waited quietly in the outer room. Isolde was staring at her bandaged hands. A faint light of hope shone in her eyes, a light he had not seen in a long time.A slight smile touched his lips. His voice remained
A flicker of guilt crossed Sandra's eyes.Then she recited the words she had prepared long ago. "I heard there was a severe shortage of medicine here, so I brought a large supply with me, hoping I could help a little. But somehow the news leaked. Before I even left the airport, they went crazy and
Besides, the couple might not even be willing to share food with them."So what's your plan? Not eat or drink and wait to starve to death?" Bruce's voice carried a sharp edge of anger."During a lockdown, the government should provide supplies, right? Or at least allow purchases through specific c
When she opened her eyes again, Isolde found herself in an unfamiliar living room.She lay on the sofa, her body burning, a sharp ache deep in her bones. Barely able to prop herself up, she scanned the room through blurred vision.Joan lay curled on the other end of the sofa, her face ashen.The
The driver snapped his head around, panic flooding his voice. "Mr. Princeton! S-Something's happened!"Alan's heart clenched as a sharp sense of dread surged upward."Ms. Carter… She also came to Preta. Her plane had just landed when a group of infected patients surrounded her near the airport. Th







