Chapter 04

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Vivienne quickly washed her anger away and smiled.

A spark of interest lit her face as she stepped forward to call him.

“Doctor, please excuse me,” she said calmly, her tone suddenly respectful.

Lina, her assistant, was shocked. Vivienne rarely addressed anyone in their circle with that kind of respectful tone—let alone some ordinary doctor who looked poor. She gave a small shrug.

Adrian paused and turned. His face looked like he had no time to waste, but his deep eyes rested on her as if he saw her for the first time. She looked stunning—her figure was the perfect blend of elegance and confidence. Adrian swallowed hard, feeling the tug of attraction at the sight of her graceful posture and glowing skin.

“Dr…?” she said, prompting him again.

Adrian didn’t catch what she meant at first.

“Doctor, what’s your name?” she repeated, a soft smile playing at her lips. Her dimples showed as her bright eyes sparkled, making every man wish he could see her smile just once.

“Just call me Adrian Foster, Mrs.,” he replied, coughing lightly as if to steady himself.

Vivienne’s smile widened as she noticed how her presence affected him.

“Oh, you’re such a simple person. And quite skilled. Your type of talent is rare.” She said with a smile. “How come you’re just a casual worker… I mean…” She tried not to sound rude, choosing her words carefully.

Lina leaned closer, cutting the tension.

“Mrs. Lancaster, there really is an emergency,” she chimed in, her expression urgent.

“What’s that?” Vivienne frowned, switching her gaze quickly from Lina back to Adrian.

A surge of inconvenience flickered across Adrian’s eyes, but he said nothing.

“John, your younger brother just messaged me—your father’s illness has worsened. He’s been coughing up blood even more,” Lina said, her voice low with urgency.

Vivienne’s face turned pale, her frustration clear. Mr. Alex Lancaster had been fighting a mysterious illness that even the top doctors of Verelux City couldn’t identify. Many had tried to cure him, hoping to earn the Lancaster family’s favor, but none had succeeded. Some even said it was beyond medicine. Even top doctors from other countries has tried but they could only leave with the word, it’s a serious matter than just a professional doctor could handle. He’s been battling with the illness for over eight years now.

“Okay, give me a minute,” she said, her voice tight with worry.

She’d always feared for her father’s health. The family had done everything they could—even Mr Alex Lancaster himself had told them to move on, that when the time was right, he’d leave. But Vivienne wasn’t ready to give up. She couldn’t let go.

She turned to Adrian and managed a small smile.

“Dr. Foster, I have a present for you personally,” she said with a chuckle.

Lina stood confused at Vivienne’s light expression. Vivienne wasn’t the type to pretend everything was fine, especially when her father was critically ill. She was never the playful type with strangers.

Before Adrian could speak, Vivienne interrupted.

“And since you’re a very skilled doctor, I’d need you to come by and see my father’s condition,” she added.

Adrian shifted, unsure if she was serious or just caught up in emotion. A part of him didn’t care for such invitations—most people only knew to praise the hospital or Dr. Franklin. They saw him as a nobody. But here was Vivienne, ignoring her own pride and recognizing him.

“Mrs. Vivienne, isn’t it too much to invite a mere doctor like Adrian to treat your honorable father?” Dr. Franklin said with a sarcastic laugh, his eyes filled with disdain. “Even I wouldn’t dare to lay hands on him—what makes you think a man like Adrian, who can barely feed himself as a lowly doctor, could do what I cannot?”

Vivienne raised a hand to silence him.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion, Dr. Franklin.”

She reached into her handbag and pulled out a sleek black card.

“Dr. Adrian, please—this is a token of my appreciation for saving my sister. I’d like to see you again to thank you properly,” she said, offering him the card with a warm smile.

Adrian hesitated. Most would have dismissed him without a second thought, but Vivienne was different. Despite her status, she didn’t ignore him. He took the card and slipped it into his pocket without a second glance.

“Thanks,” he muttered.

He had refused many people who offered him such appreciation whenever he saves their lives. They’d offer a token of appreciation sometimes as a mansion or expensive items.

David’s envy twisted his expression.

“What? Are you crazy? You ungrateful bastard—you should kneel and thank Mrs. Vivienne right now!” Dr. Franklin snapped.

The Lancaster card was a direct entrance to their empire. Anyone who had it was treated as a VVIP guest, a privilege even executives had to work years to earn.

Vivienne raised her hand again. “No need for that.”

She looked directly at Adrian. “And Dr. Foster, if my father’s health worsens, I’ll personally invite you to treat him. Please—can I have your number?” She handed him her phone.

Dr. Franklin, David, and Lina were all shocked. Even the city’s top elites had asked for Vivienne’s number, only to be politely turned down. But here she was, treating Adrian like gold.

“Mrs. Vivienne, he’s just trying to use you!” David barked. “This freeloader was dumped by his ex wife—he’s nothing but a coward who leeches off women. He’s only trying to get to you too!”

How did he find out so soon that Lyra had divorced him? Adrian thought. It's not thhhat strange in Vereluxe city, a city where information competes with the speed of lights.

But he fell silent as Vivienne’s dangerous gaze met his. He knew better than to push her further. Gritting his teeth, he walked away.

After typing his number, Adrian handed the phone back calmly.

“I’ll leave now,” he said, his voice steady and low as he turned and walked into the operating room.

Vivienne’s smile lingered, her eyes soft with something unspoken. She looked like she’d just discovered a treasure as she hurried away to check on her father’s condition.