Chapter 4

Lisbeth tactfully stood up, preparing to leave the room.

"Stay here," Sebastian said, stopping her. "I'll take this outside." He walked out the door as he answered the call.

An elderly voice came through the line. "Mr. York, I appreciate your consideration, but I've hung up my scalpel. I no longer perform surgeries. If you need assistance, I can recommend one of my students."

Sebastian leaned against the doorframe, his voice calm. "For this particular surgery, it must be you."

"Then I can only apologize. Had you asked even three months ago, I would have agreed."

After hanging up, Sebastian pondered briefly before calling Noah. "Book me a flight to Marigoldia for three days from now."

"Are you going to see the old professor?"

"Yes." Since the professor claimed to have retired, Sebastian would go in person.

A phone call might not carry enough weight, but he was confident the old man wouldn't refuse him face-to-face.

"There are no flights in three days, but there's one tomorrow."

"Then choose another day. I can't leave for the next two days. Cancel my other appointments as well."

He had something more important to handle first. His gaze drifted through the floor-to-ceiling windows toward Lisbeth, who sat staring into space on the sofa, her expression weary.

"Just book it," he said quietly. "And contact Elora. If she's forgotten, we should remind her that actions have consequences."

"Understood." After hanging up, Noah sighed. His boss was truly invested in this.

When Sebastian returned, Lisbeth immediately looked up, hope flickering in her eyes. "About what you mentioned earlier..."

"Tomorrow, I'll show you something interesting."

Something interesting? Lisbeth didn't understand, but seeing his confidence reassured her.

Of course—this was Sebastian York. Nothing was beyond his reach.

"What do you plan to do?" she asked, still curious.

Sebastian poured her a cup of tea. "Don't worry. You'll see tomorrow." His smile was enigmatic.

Lisbeth lowered her gaze, her heart heavy. She never imagined that one day she would become enemies with the man she loved most.

That evening, Sebastian went out with Lisbeth and dropped her at the hospital entrance.

"Go see Dennis," Sebastian instructed. "Call me when you're ready to leave, and I'll pick you up."

His consideration and accommodating nature made Lisbeth feel almost awkward. "Alright. Thank you."

Sebastian seemed about to say something more but ultimately remained silent as the car drove away.

Dennis was still asleep when Lisbeth reached his room, so she sat quietly beside him. When the nurse arrived, she left the hospital.

At the entrance, she hesitated before calling Sebastian.

"Ready to leave?" His deep, gentle voice came through the phone.

Lisbeth's slight guilt about disturbing him vanished. "Yes, I wanted to—"

Suddenly, a woman's voice cut through the line. "Mr. York, I've made my decision. I accept your terms."

Lisbeth hurriedly hung up. That voice was unmistakable. It was Elora.

Sebastian looked at the disconnected call, then raised his eyes to Elora sitting across from him. She wore a coy smile, but her eyes betrayed the satisfaction of a successful scheme.

"That was deliberate," he stated.

Elora feigned innocence. "I don't understand what you mean. I was simply agreeing to your request."

She suppressed her resentment, knowing better than to show any displeasure in Sebastian's presence.

"I'll persuade Leopold to hold a press conference to clarify everything and restore Lisbeth's reputation. But you must keep your promise—these materials will disappear forever."

To her surprise, Sebastian saw through her pretense immediately. "You're quite resentful."

Elora gritted her teeth. "Given your status, that you would stoop to threaten me with ancient history... Of course I wouldn't dare resent you. But I can't help thinking public opinion is wrong. They call you a gentleman, but that seems questionable."

"And why would I care about what you think?" Sebastian replied, his gaze steady and unmoved.

He clearly didn't consider her worth his attention. "You only need to know one thing: actions leave traces. Only those with clear consciences need not fear their past catching up to them."

With that, he stood and left, the tea before him remaining untouched.

It was beneath him. Being in the presence of people with low character, he felt, polluted even the air.

As he walked down the hallway, he heard the sound of breaking porcelain from the private room.

Sebastian's lips curved into a slight smile. "Leopold's taste has certainly deteriorated."

On the way back, Noah couldn't understand. "Mr. York, you didn't need to go personally."

A woman like Elora wasn't worthy of Sebastian's direct attention.

Sebastian rested his chin on his hand, his narrow eyes amused. "I was curious what kind of woman had Leopold so bewitched he wanted to marry her. Turns out, she's nothing special. They suit each other."

The car stopped at the hospital entrance, and Lisbeth got in. She remained silent, and the car fell into awkward quiet.

Sebastian broke it first. "Nothing you want to ask?"

Lisbeth's hands tightened slightly on her knees. "No."

She told herself that Sebastian's willingness to help someone with her tarnished reputation was already enough.

She had no right to question him, even if he did have something going on with Elora. That was his business.

With this thought, she felt slightly better.

Suddenly, a hand rested on top of her head. She froze.

Sebastian's deep voice carried a hint of resignation.

"When did you become so timid?" He paused. "If you want to ask something, ask. Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you—but you have to ask first."

"I want to know why I heard Elora's voice on your phone." Lisbeth realized she had spoken aloud before she could stop herself.

But she didn't regret it. She did care. It wasn't jealousy—Sebastian was Dennis's lifeline. If Elora had somehow turned him against her too... she couldn't bear to imagine what would happen next.

Sebastian spoke calmly. "Didn't I promise to help you get justice?"

Lisbeth was startled. "Help me?"

Sebastian studied her.

Lisbeth was still beautiful, but the scars on her face were like knife cuts on porcelain, making half her face look somewhat frightening.

The other half remained as angelic as ever—after all, she had been known as "little angel" since her debut.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Lisbeth instinctively turned her face, hiding the scars on her right cheek.

She was used to it, really. But in this moment, she felt inexplicably inferior, as if her scars were sullying Sebastian's gaze.

"Tomorrow, dress beautifully," Sebastian said. "I want you to see them take back every word they said."

Lisbeth didn't understand.

But the next morning, Noah arrived with a new outfit and a makeup artist—a renowned master whom Lisbeth could never afford.

"Ms. Whitaker, you're beautiful. There's no need for insecurity. Leave it to me," the makeup artist said with a smile. She had magical hands that could transform anything.

When she finished, Lisbeth was amazed at the woman in the mirror. Was that really her?

As they were leaving, she couldn't help asking Sebastian, "Where exactly are we going?"

Sebastian replied simply, "A press conference."