Elsa sat beside Tina, looking somewhat uneasy, seemingly still feeling guilty about the events of yesterday. Tina paid her no heed, ncing at Elsa with eyes as pink as strawberry cake before standing up. Elsa suddenly called out to her, “Tina.”


    With a smile curving her red lips, Tina’s bright eyes shed with disinterest, “What is it?”


    Elsa stood up, walked over to her, and lifted her shirt. On her slender waist, there was a hideous ck scar-a knife wound, poisoned. Clenching her fists, Elsa exined, “This is from when I fell into an enemy’s trap during a mission. I still suffer from the pain, especially on rainy days when it bes unbearably sharp.”


    “Tina, I’m not trying to gain sympathy. I just want to tell you that we’ve risked our lives for the organization to sessfully develop a defense against the enemy’s biochemical weapons.”


    “So, on behalf of the organization and the country, I invite you to join our fight!”


    Tina’s gaze lowered to the scar on Elsa’s waist, clearly seeing its authenticity. She grasped Elsa’s wrist, checking her pulse. The poison had been in her system for years, indeed causing much suffering.


    Tina casually took out a healing pill and ced it in Elsa’s mouth, “This poison isn’t hard to cure. Come see me once a day.”


    After a pause, she added, “I’m quite interested in what you’ve said. I’ll give it a try.”


    Elsa, taken aback, looked at her in surprise, “You mean-you agree!”


    Tina nodded slightly, “Yes, but if your experiments don’t meet my standards, I’m out at any time.”


    “Great. You’ll definitely find our experiments interesting,” Elsa smiled, “I’ll notify the organization and see when they can take you to theb.”


    With that, Elsa entered the room. Tina watched her door, her lips curling into an almost imperceptible smile. She took out her phone and texted Jared, “How’s it going?”


    “Missed, what about you?”


    “The fish has taken the bait.”


    Jared, reading these words, could almost picture Tina’s sly expression, like a proud little fox.


    Meanwhile.


    “Walter, don’t move, the doctor said you can’t get out of bed yet,” ra looked at her son with concern.


    Who would have thought Jared’s throw could fracture someone’s bones so easily? If not for the hospital, Walter might not have survived.


    Walter limped to the couch, “I’ve almost gone mad lying in bed all this time.”


    And lying down wasn’t helping; the pain was unbearable, better to move around.


    Walter waved his hand impatiently, “Leave me be for now. What’s the deal with Vivienne? Why was she kicked out?”


    At this, ra was furious, “What else could it be? That wretch Tina schemed it all, and Jared’s no better. No matter how well Vivienne treated him, how could he drive her out of thepany?”


    “I said from the start-let me join thepany instead of letting Vivienne take all the limelight. And now, what are we supposed to do? Wait to starve?”


    ra retorted, “Wasn’t it initially your refusal to join thepany, preferring your useless paintings instead?”


    Walter eximed, “You really are my mother!”


    Alexander, sitting nearby, was also furious, yelling towards Vivienne’s room upstairs, “Vivienne, what are you doing hiding in your room all day? Think hiding there will get you back in thepany? Come out and figure out a way to get your grandfather to get you back in!”


    Vivienne was their financial pir; half their savings came from the profits she generated at thepany.


    Now things had really turned sour, as she was ousted from her position, losing at least half of her sustenance. Vivienne sat in her room, listening to her parents and Walter downstairs, airing their grievances about her. She put on her headphones, locked the door, and ignored them. Being kicked out of thepany wasn’t what worried her most. What truly troubled her were the covert deals she had been involved in. Her business dealings extended far beyond the art gallery; they also involved leveraging herpany’s resources and connections, even using thepany’s transportation for shipments. This was her way of making money, the very foundation of her existence. Moreover, she had signed agreements with certain individuals, and failure to meet the obligations could be deadly.


    Vivienne unlocked her phone and dialed an unknown number. “How’s it going?”


    “The person is still in our hands, slowly being moved as per your instructions.”


    “Good, keep an eye on them. I’ll find a chance to send her away.”


    After hanging up, Vivienne rubbed her fingertips, her usually cold face gradually losing its color. Then, she unexpectedly received another call. It was from an unfamiliar number. After a moment’s hesitation, she answered, “Who is this?”


    A female voice came through, “Miss Farrell, this is Lily.”


    Vivienne paused. Lily? She wasn’t close to Lily, but being in the same circles, she had heard of her. Lily had once been considered a prodigy doctor, the adopted daughter of the original head of the Reed family. However, since Jasper was arrested, Lily seemed to have faded from the public eye. Why would she call now?


    “What can I do for you?” Vivienne asked, her smile instantly dispelling the gloom.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Lily’s voice brightened, “Do you have some time? Maybe for a coffee?”


    “Sure, see you in a bit.”


    Elsewhere, Jared had taken Hugo’s family to see a psychologist and then picked up Tina. They drove Hugo and his family back home. On the way, Jared mentioned, “The doctor said there’s nothing to worry about. Bobby has grown up; he won’t have nightmares anymore.”


    Zackary nodded vigorously, proudly looking at Tina, “Yeah, sis, Hayden bro said this incident was just an experience in life, something to brag about over drinks years from now. I’m not scared at all.”


    Tina ruffled Zackary’s hair, “You’re really brave.”


    But what on earth was Hayden bro? Tina looked at Jared, who just shrugged. Who else but Hayden? On this journey, he’d almost be sworn brothers with Zackary. They even insisted on calling him Hayden bro, which sounded mighty impressive.


    Hayden: Isn’t it impressive?


    Tina helplessly said, “Mom and Dad, you don’t have to go to the office today. Take a good rest. I’ve already asked for leave for Bobby at school.”


    Hugo nodded, still a bit shaken by the events of the previous day, indeed not in the mood for work. Then he looked worriedly at Tina, “And you?”


    “I’m here, Dad, don’t worry,” Jared said, wrapping an arm around Tina’s waist reassuringly.


    Hugo didn’t say more, feeling reassured with Jared by Tina’s side.


    After dropping Hugo and his family off, Jared and Tina had to leave due to othermitments. After they left, Elsa’s door cracked open slightly. Just then, her phone rang. ncing at the caller ID, she answered.


    Whatever was said on the other end, Elsa replied, “Yes, agreed. I’ll prepare everything, and I’ll bring her over tomorrow.”


    “Understood.”


    Elsa hung up, her eyes shadowed with unreadable thoughts.