LOGINSeated in Adriana's car, Daisy leaned weakly against the seatback."Adriana, just take me home. There's no need to go to the hospital."She had already vomited everything out in the restroom earlier—right down to the bitter taste in her throat. Adriana, however, couldn't feel at ease."Daisy, please just listen to me this once."At home, only the servants were present. If she didn't speak up, no one would even ask how she was doing."I know my own body," Daisy said softly. "It's more of a problem of the heart."Recently, she had been nauseous often. She suspected it was the medication she had been taking—too much of it had likely irritated her stomach."Whatever it is, we'll go to the hospital first and get it checked," Adriana said firmly.She pressed the accelerator and drove Daisy straight to Nash Hospital.They first checked her gastrointestinal system. After asking a few questions and conducting a basic examination, the doctor recommended that they proceed to gynecology.
The pair of shameless lovers were sitting right in front of her, yet Daisy couldn't do anything to them.Joan leaned in toward Dean, whispering to him from time to time, completely unconcerned that others were present.Dean kept his distance as much as possible, a flicker of impatience flashing in his eyes. This was exactly why he had no intention of marrying Joan—she lacked propriety and simply wasn't presentable in public.To avoid any suspicion, he raised his voice deliberately."Joan, I heard you moved out of the Starry Villa?"Joan's expression immediately darkened.How thoughtful of Dean—so eager to avoid any public association with her."Yes," she replied coolly. "Adriana, you can move back in."Adriana lifted her eyes coldly. "I'm not interested in anything dirty. If you like it, keep it."Chris's gaze darkened as he silently drank, head lowered."Looks like Joan, after being kicked out, has already found a new admirer."Francesco glanced at Dean, his tone pointed.
Adriana couldn't find a reason to refuse Francesco. After all, they saw each other constantly in their daily lives."If you don't mind, you're welcome to join us," she said.Chris stepped up beside her. "In that case, I'll host."…What had originally been intended as a small dinner to cheer up Daisy ended up expanding into a group of five, and the atmosphere shifted instantly.The group arrived at the restaurant and, in the parking lot, unexpectedly ran into two familiar figures.Dean and Joan.Daisy's face paled slightly. She suppressed her anger and forced a strained smile."Dean, what are you doing here with Joan?""We just happened to run into each other. Didn't expect to see you all here either—what a coincidence."Dean's expression remained calm. Since he and Joan had driven separately, his explanation sounded reasonable enough.Joan stepped forward with a smile. "What a lively gathering. Since we've run into each other, why don't we eat together? I've been craving th
"And as for the rest of you," Adriana continued calmly, "I've never seen your photos in any scientific journals, so I don't even know your names. But your lack of recognition in the field isn't a basis for you to slander me."With that, she withdrew her gaze and sat back down.The men flushed deep red at her words, though they still looked unconvinced. In their minds, they were not lacking ability—only opportunity.At that moment, a staff member approached."Gentlemen, please move to the back rows."The second row had no nameplates and no assigned seating, but it was generally reserved for important guests.One of the men frowned. "Why?""Because this is my seat."An aged but powerful voice rang out.The moment the group saw who it was, they all stood up immediately."Professor, we didn't know you were coming.""I came because Adriana is my proudest student."Professor Langer had originally intended to keep a low profile and sit in the back.But after hearing their words e
Even after Adriana and Oliver left, Daisy never said a word. She simply couldn't bring herself to.She cared about being an illegitimate daughter. She cared about her mother's past as a mistress. She cared about her identity as Mrs. Slater.Dean could have women outside—but he couldn't get caught, and it certainly couldn't damage her reputation.Sitting in the car, Adriana felt a lingering unease.On the surface, Daisy seemed fine, but she could sense that something was weighing heavily on her."Oliver, I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on Daisy.""I will." Oliver nodded.Daisy's mother had once been Daisy's father's secretary. In order to climb higher, she drugged him—and that was how Daisy came to be.Daisy's father had always been a man of integrity. Because of that incident, everyone in the Reeves family—from him down to his sons and daughters—looked down on Daisy.Even Neo, known for his calm and reserved nature, held nothing but disdain for her and her mother.The
When Adriana had first arrived at Sanctity, her eyes had always carried a trace of exhaustion. Now, they held only light—the bright, eager glow of anticipation for her research results."I've been working out regularly. I'm in great shape."She bent her arm and gave her bicep a playful tap.Thinking of everything that had happened while she was abroad, Oliver said, "Aunt Daisy hasn't been doing well lately. She's been taking psychiatric medication. The other day when I visited, I saw her take six pills at once—that's beyond the prescribed dosage."Adriana frowned with concern."What has Dean been up to lately?""Nothing," Oliver shook his head. "There are no injuries on her, and there hasn't been any news about Dean causing trouble.""What about your family? Have they been putting pressure on her?" Adriana pressed."Grandfather went abroad for treatment, and Aunt Daisy hasn't been in contact with the family.""I'll go see her."Aside from Dean and the Reeves family, Adriana c
Adriana, determined to avoid her Grandma Lydia, hurriedly completed her discharge late at night and checked into the Nash family's private hospital.The next morning, Chris called."Where are you?"After waking, he had rushed to the hospital as soon as Jimmy updated him on her condition, only to
Adriana relied purely on survival instinct as she made her way down the mountain. Along the way, two more cars passed, neither slowing down.After more than half an hour, a car suddenly came speeding up from below. In the glow of its headlights, she saw who was inside and nearly screamed in relief.
Francesco's hand froze as he raised the wine glass to his lips, long fingers brushing idly along the rim. He extended the glass toward Adriana in a mock salute before tipping it back and draining it in one smooth motion."Today, we truly meet, Mrs. Slater."The words were deliberately emphasized—e
Heidi hadn't just made soup—she'd also made some chicken tacos for Adriana.Chris, at some point, had taken a seat across from Adriana. He poured some red sauce in a little saucer for her."Edward suddenly had a sharp stomachache, so I rushed him to the hospital."Adriana nodded. "It wasn't serio







