Chapter 8
Three years later, I returned to the city I’d left behind.
The moment my plane landed, the Rhodes family car was waiting.
Director Claire Rhodes came to pick me up personally.
She gave me a big hug:
‘Sage, welcome home.”
I hugged her back, but in that brief moment our bodies touched, my eyes went cold.
Three full years of drug trials-the hardships and dangers couldn’t be summed up in a few words.
Several times the medication made me writhe in agony, other doctors couldn’t stand watching and wanted
o stop treatment.
3ut Director Rhodes coldly ordered: “Increase the dosage. Whether she survives or not is up to fate.”
The worst episode, I stopped breathing completely and entered a death-like state.
3ut my consciousness was actually clear.
heard Director Rhodes click her tongue in disgust:
‘Thought she’d be stronger for Kieran’s sake. Turns out she’s useless too.”
‘Her family thinks she’s already dead. No need to notify them. Send her straight to the morgue.”
Her voice then sounded exactly like those rich people who’d treated me like a plaything.
ntense resentment dragged me back from death’s door.
After that, my body actually started adapting to the medication.
Three years later, I’d recovered about seventy percent.
This time I was coming back as her adopted daughter, to appear with Director Rhodes at various press
conferences, showcasing her achievements.
‘Come with me to the family estate,” Director Rhodes smiled. “Family dinner tonight. Time for everyone to meet my daughter.”
“And didn’t you always want to see my son?”
I met her smile with feigned shyness: “Yeah, I wonder if Kieran still remembers me.”
Director Rhodes looked at me through the rearview mirror with a knowing smirk:
“That little death stunt you pulled really messed him up.”
“He wanted to send Mia Summers to prison, didn’t care about their childhood friendship at all. His father
and I had to work our asses off to talk him down.”
“These past three years, he’s been searching everywhere for your grave. I had to keep making up excuses.”
“Don’t even get me started on his girlfriends-he’s been through I don’t know how many, all with some resemblance to you.”
“Gotta hand it to you, that was one hell of a move.”
“But let me be clear-I’m fine with you two getting together, but you know his status. Upper-class guys like him need strategic marriages.”
“When he eventually gets married, you’ll have to stay hidden where no one can find you. Got it?”
I nodded obediently: “I see.”
Director Rhodes seemed pleased with my compliance and handed me a jade bracelet: “Wear this, it’ll go nicely with your dress.”
I accepted it gratefully, pretending to treasure it.
Once she smugly turned away, I allowed myself a mocking smile.
Since she enjoyed seeing me play the lovesick fool, I’d put on a show for her.
ust like Kieran had performed for me back then.
