"They've been asking around, and this set is specifically handmade by a master craftsman. Look!" Austin revealed a delicate-looking box as he spoke.Dominic scoffed lightly and put up a faint smile. "These days, anyone can call themselves a master. Which master is this?"Any ordinary person would have been discouraged after hearing this, but it was just another day for Austin. He had already mentally prepared himself for this. He kept his smile, removed the teapot set, and said, "Look! It looks like a pumpkin."Dominic glanced at it but said nothing. However, that was already considered a perfect reaction. Since the older gentleman did not scold or shun Austin, the teapot set caught Dominicโs attention.Back then, Austin was still determining what Dominic liked. Austin would often bring over things from traveling abroad, be it expensive calligraphy, paintings, or antiques. Ultimately, Dominic would throw them all out.After countless scoldings, Austin gradually figured out what Do
โGranduncle, boiling this medicinal herb is a usual thing to do. I can control how much effect the herb would have on its users and how much would get absorbed into peopleโs blood vessels. Still, itโs too difficult to manage its absorption after evaporation.โAustin felt helpless. โBased on your experience, is it possible for me to control the medicinal herbโs evaporation process entirely?โDominic threw Austin a sideway glance and pursed his lips, smiling. โWhat? You havenโt solved such a simple problem even after being in that stupid lab for a long time?โโItโs not like thatโฆโ Austin heard that Lily had already solved this problem, but as he was competing with Lily, he had to figure things out independently since she would not give him her data.He must piece all the puzzles together by himself. Plus, he was doubtful, not entirely believing that Lily had solved the problem and thought it was just a cover-up on her end. โI know so much about these herbs, and Iโve spent so much t
โGranduncle, itโs my fault! I shouldnโt have asked so many questions! Donโt get mad, please. Iโll stop asking!โโGet the f*ck out of here! Donโt you understand what Iโm saying?โ Dominic looked around. It seemed he did not find anything to grab, so he picked up the woven fan again and threw it in Austinโs direction. โYou brat! Why do you need to come over and piss me off so often? Do you believe you can dictate how I live my life when Iโve lived much longer than you? Get the h*ll out of here right now, and donโt ever show your a*s here again!โAustin dodged the woven fan every time Dominic threw it his way, even though it wasn't likely to hurt him much if it did hit him. He was anxious when he heard Dominic ban him from coming over again.โGranduncle, donโt be mad! I wonโt ask any questions anymore, and Iโll leave now! Please calm down. Getting mad isnโt good for your health! Iโll go back now, and Iโll visit you again soon!โ With that, Austin turned around and ran out the door like
โWho the h*ll are you?โ Austin tugged at his collar as he spoke in a tone that contrasted with his usual gentlemanly appearance.โI-Iโm Mrs. Moore. Weโve met before.โ The woman sounded slightly upset but spoke in an ingratiating manner.Austin had no idea who she was. โMrs. Moore? Which one? I donโt know a Mrs. Moore!โBesides his relatives and a few friends, Austin had little interaction with women, let alone someone elseโs wife. As the woman said she was Mrs. Moore, Austin thought he would not know such a person. Plus, why would he be in contact with someone elseโs wife? However, that did not apply to Lily.Maria could sense that Austin was going to hang up soon. She became anxious and spoke quickly, โMr. Fike, Iโm Mrs. Moore. We met at the seminar the other day and exchanged a few words. At that time, you were evenโฆโShe wanted to bring up that he had been splashed with a drink that night but realized that doing so would offend Austin. Hence, she quickly stopped and said, โ
Then Austin hung up the phone and blocked the number immediately. โWhat the h*ll was that?โHe started the engine and stepped on the accelerator, trying to calm himself down with the wind that blew in his face. โฆOn the other hand, Maria, who had the call hung up on her, had a terrible expression. โYou havenโt said everything. Whatโs wrong with you?โ The man by her side inquired, slightly impatiently.Holding her phone, Maria pursed her lips. โHeโฆ hung up on me.โโWhat?โ The man asked in a raised voice before he sneered. โWhat are you doing? Youโre so unreliable! What did you tell me earlier? You said you'd get a miracle doctor to cure Anastasiaโs illness! But look at whatโs happening now. He doesnโt even want to talk to you!โThe man emphasized his words to show his disapproval of Maria. She was upset as well. โI didnโt expect it to be so hard to get his help! I went through so much trouble just to get his phone number, and who do you think I did all that for? Do you think I
After some thought, Maria stood up and said, โWhat about this? Iโll look for him since he wonโt answer my call.โThat earned her a surprised look from Fabian. โHe doesnโt even want to answer your calls, so are you sure heโll be willing to meet you? Even so, would he agree to your request?โโWe canโt talk things out on the phone. When we meet later, Iโll stop Mr. Austin from leaving, so he will have no choice but to listen to whatever I say.โI heard heโs busy with something at the instituteโs lab, so I bet I could meet him if I wait long enough. Plus, I have a great gift for him, and Iโm sure itโs something heโll be interested in!โ Maria pinched her fingers mid-air, smiling confidently.โItโs all talk now, and youโre planning to spend so much already? Do you think my money grows on trees?โ Fabian was displeased after he learned that his wife would spend money on Austin.His business had not been faring well recently, so he wanted to seek help from Cameron, his brother-in-law, who
Lily looked around as she exited the car. It was not far from what she had imagined. With Cameronโs identity, it was not a good idea for him to live too extravagantly. Hence, he stayed in an ordinary, two-story bungalow which looked elegant from the outside.After entering the house, a maid served Lily some tea and desserts. โMs. Rollins will be down soon.โLily nodded, and the maid left to do her work. The house was spacious, and because there was not much furniture and appliances around, it made the space look even more prominent. She could see almost everything in the living room at one glance.There were not many luxurious or expensive things here, and it appeared that Cameron was just as Alexander had described. Cameron was a meticulous man in many aspects.There were a few decorative items in the living room as well. A few pots of bonsai were in sight, and the pots which contained them looked plain. While looking around, Lily heard slow and heavy footsteps coming from the sta
โI wouldnโt mind that.โ Lily noticed Anastasia looked weak and appeared tired after saying just a few words. โDo you get tired easily?โWith a pillow under her head, Anastasia nodded, her gaze lowered. โYeah. Iโm fat and lazy, so I get fatigued easily.โโAre you lazy? Youโre not,โ Lily pointed to the few bonsai pots in the corner. โYou managed those plants, didnโt you? How could you call yourself lazy when you could care for and prune those plants so well.โUpon hearing that, Anastasia looked toward the plants. They had a lush appearance and were well-maintained. The most exciting thing about them was that Anastasia had pruned them into the shapes of cartoon animals.โHow did you know I was the one who pruned them?โ Anastasia smiled. โWhy didnโt you think the maids did it?โLily shook her head. โThey wouldnโt have pruned the bonsai into such cute shapes if it were them. Only someone as innocent as a child would do something as such.โโInnocentโฆโ Anastasia repeated the word softly
Lily tilted her head up to fight back her tears, saying, โThereโs something I find strange.โโWhat is it?โ Mike asked after comforting his son.โInstead of detaining Prince Ross, Her Majesty has sent him back to Yudonia. If so, why couldnโt we reach him?โAfter some thought, Mike answered, โThere are two possibilities. Itโs probably due to poor signals, or he doesnโt want us to contact him.โThe two shared a look, knowing what each other was wondering.โWhy canโt we contact Ross? Is he planning something?โโฆThree days later, Lily inserted the last needle into the queenโs leg and looked up at her, saying, โYou should start feeling your legs tomorrow. Still, itโll take some time before you can stand.โSuddenly, Lily chuckled.โWhy are you laughing?โ 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, โOf course, you wouldnโt.โโThatโsโฆ quite a pity,โ the queen murmured thoughtfully.โWell, thereโs a price to pay for everything. Thatโs how the world balances itself,โ Lily continued, โI canโt stop you if you must carry on with R10. Still, I wonโt witness whether or not it succeeds. I just wish the outcome isnโt something youโll regret.โLily 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 Yasminโs legs. โYour Majesty, those needlesโโThe queen waved dismissively. โItโs okay. Lily will remove them later.โEven so, Rick was wary. โYouโre being too careless, Your Majesty. What if that womanโโโShe wouldnโt,โ 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.โTell me. What do you want?โ The queen took a deep breath to calm herself. She then reminded herself that she could always say no to Lilyโs 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 donโt 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 wasnโt sure if youโd blame him, but he did rescue me once. If I don't do anything, it would be ungrateful of me," Lily said gently, "Also, didnโt 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.โThatโs it?!โ 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.โI havenโt felt my legs for over a decade. I wouldnโt mind waiting for three more days.โโAre you sure I can get up and walk in just three days?โ 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, โI canโt guarantee that youโll walk as fast as you once could. After all, you havenโt used your legs for a long time, and your muscles have atrophied. Still, youโll recover slowly.โYasmin nodded repeatedly, thinking it was good enough. She never dreamed of walking as well a
โBecause only our opinions matter." Lily thought of something and said, "Unless you choose to believe Rhea.""Iโฆ don't trust anyone." Yasminโs 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? Youโve done enough as a queen over the last few decades. Arenโt you tired of living a lonely life?โLily gently spoke as she gazed at Yasminโs back.The older woman caressed her knees with both hands and stared down at her legs, murmuring, โSightsee, huh? Iโve forgotten what thatโs like.โYasmin 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 Lilyโs suggestion.Lily asked, โWhat 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 couldnโt 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 whoโs willing to die for him. If Mike decides to take drastic action against youโ Yes, you're a queen, and you don't care much about an insignificant businessman.โHowever, 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?""Youโฆ" 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, โBring Lily over. Iโd like to see what excuses that sly woman can come up with.โ"Your Majesty?" Rick was puzzled. "You know she'll just lie to you. Why must youโ"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, โHer Majesty wants to see you.โLily 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. โYou stay.โ"But we came together!" Mike glanced over his shoulder at Lily, signaling her to persuade the man. Rick added, "The queen doesnโt 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 queenโs 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, โIf any of you go with her, they might stop or suspect you. They wonโt do that to me. Itโs natural for me to want to see and rescue my son. Iโm the best candidate because it makes sense for me to sacrifice myself for him.โAfter a short silence, Lily said, โYouโre right.โ She then looked at Alexander, who pondered before slowly raising his head and saying, โMe too.โDominic 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, โThanks, you guys!โ"Why are you thanking us? Just be careful, and donโt be rash like you promised," Aust