Five years ago, while collecting herbs for Jaxon, I had accidentally saved a woman. I kept it from him, quietly tending to her wounds until, one day, she vanished without a trace. I never saw her again.

That voice sounded like hers.

Butler Dayne seemed to leave to report something, and after a long wait, the door opened again, inviting me in.

The Montgomery estate sprawled out before me, its classical elegance filling the courtyard. I was led to a spacious tea room to wait. Not long after, I heard footsteps, the sharp click of high heels growing louder as a maid ushered someone in. As I looked up, I came face-to-face with Arabelle.

She froze, clearly startled to see me. Jaxon, too, halted in his tracks when he saw me. His expression darkened, a scowl overtaking his features as though his face had become the color of storm clouds.

"You followed me? Didn’t I say you’re not allowed to show up in front of me again?"

I quickly explained, "I’m here to see Rigel, the young master of the Montgomery family."

His expression softened slightly, though suspicion still lingered in his eyes. "Why are you looking for him?"

"I’m here to treat—"

"You came early just to beg the Montgomery family to take you in, didn’t you?" Arabelle interrupted. "But Liora, you’re just a pawn to marry into the Montgomery family in my place for luck. Do you really think they’ll treat you kindly?"

"I’m only thinking of your well-being. I’m afraid you’ll be mistreated. You should leave quickly. If you anger Mrs. Montgomery, it won’t end well."

Her voice was sickly sweet, as though she were trying to protect me out of kindness. Jaxon glanced at her with appreciation, his gaze softening.

"Arabelle, you’re so considerate."

I blinked, confused; what was Arabelle doing here?

"And what’s your reason for being here?"

The maid at Arabelle's side spoke up, "Miss Arabelle just returned from studying abroad. She’s highly skilled in medicine, so we invited her to treat our young master."

Jaxon nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "I know Arabelle’s abilities. It was her medicine that helped me recover back then."

I turned my gaze to Arabelle, who lifted her chin, a smug glint in her eyes as she met my stare.

Arabelle clung to Jaxon’s arm like a pampered child. "Jaxon, I’m worried Liora’s presence might interfere with my treatment."

"She’s just a housewife, she doesn’t know anything."

With a wave of his hand, two bodyguards at the door stepped forward, grabbing me roughly and dragging me out.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!"

"You’d better leave. Don’t get in Arabelle’s way."

The maid sneered. "Someone like her has no right to step foot in our Montgomery estate. She’s a disgrace!"

"Stop! Let go!"

But just then, Butler Dayne burst into the tea room, panting. "Stop immediately! She’s an honored guest!"

Arabelle smiled sweetly and stepped forward. "Butler Dayne, you’re here. Please, take us inside."

But to everyone’s surprise, Butler Dayne walked right past her and came directly to me.

"Let go. All of you, let her go!"

The bodyguards released me at once. Butler Dayne bowed respectfully.

"Miss Liora, please come with me. Mrs. Montgomery wishes to see you."

The entire room fell into stunned silence.

Jaxon quickly pulled Arabelle aside and questioned, "Are you sure you’re not mistaken? This is Arabelle."

The maid hurried to add, "Yes, yes! Butler Dayne, maybe you got the names confused?"

Butler Dayne cast her a cold glance. "You’re fired. You don’t even know who the true honored guest of the Montgomery family is." Without sparing them another look, he turned and led me away.

I felt dazed. It was the first time in this world someone had shown me such dignity.

"This, how could this be possible? She’s just a housewife…" Arabelle’s stunned murmur echoed behind me.

Right in front of Jaxon and Arabelle, I followed Butler Dayne and walked out first.

We passed through a quiet covered walkway, and at its end stood a redwood door. The moment it opened, a slender figure appeared behind a gauzy curtain.

My eyes widened as I froze in place. "It’s really you?"

She smiled softly. "Miss Liora, it’s been a long time."

She stepped forward and gently took my hand. Just as I was about to respond, she suddenly dropped to her knees with a heavy thud.

"Please save my son!"

Behind us, Jaxon and Arabelle stood frozen in shock, having followed and witnessed the entire scene.

Before I could say a word, Arabelle shoved me aside and stepped forward to help.

"Aunt Tessa, what are you doing? You’re actually kneeling to someone like her?"

Tessa brushed her hand away without hesitation and turned back, resolutely kneeling at my feet.

"Please, I know you can do it."

Jaxon stared at me with confusion in his eyes, as if unable to understand what kind of strength a quiet woman like me, someone only known for taking care of others, could possibly possess.

I gently helped Tessa to her feet and said, "Since I’ve agreed to marry him, he is my fiancé, and I’ll take responsibility for him."

Only by marrying him could I bring Callum back. So, I would pour everything I had into waking him, even if it meant exhausting all of my medical skills.

As my words sank in, Jaxon’s expression shifted. Then, he snapped irritably, "Stop boasting. What do you even know about saving people? Arabelle is the real doctor!"

He dragged Arabelle forward and placed her in front of Tessa.

"Mrs. Montgomery, Arabelle just returned from studying abroad. She’ll definitely be able to save Rigel.”

“She’s the one who cured my legs!"

Tessa let out a cold scoff. "She cured your legs? I don’t trust someone who turned her back on my son."

Arabelle’s face turned pale.

Jaxon quickly explained to her, "Arabelle and I have been engaged for years. We were childhood sweethearts. The engagement with Rigel was something our parents forced on us."

Tessa let out a cold laugh. "Seems like you really don’t know people at all. Whatever. It’s a good thing I have Liora now. The two of you can leave."

Still trying to defend herself, Arabelle protested, "Aunt Tessa, don’t be fooled by her. How could someone like her possibly know medicine? She’s probably bluffing. Leaving Rigel in her hands would only make things worse!"

"I know breaking off the engagement was wrong, but I’m willing to make it up by doing my best to treat him!"

But Tessa acted as if she hadn’t heard a single word and turned to the butler. "See them out."

And just like that, Jaxon and Arabelle were thrown out of the Montgomery household.

Humiliated for the first time, Arabelle exploded in fury at the gate. "What kind of shitty Montgomery family is this? They don’t even know what’s good for them!"

Jaxon stared at her as if seeing someone he no longer recognized. She used to be gentle and kind.

Realizing she’d crossed a line, Arabelle quickly clung to his arm, her voice turning sweet and pitiful.

"Jaxon, I was only worried the Montgomerys might be fooled by Liora. Don’t forget, she’s always tried to ruin what we have. Maybe she’s lying again, just to get your attention."

Jaxon seemed to consider it for a moment. "If she’s really lying, the Montgomery family will find out sooner or later. You healed my legs; I trust you, naturally."

Arabelle clung to his arm, but behind his back, her expression slowly turned cold.

Liora, you bitch. Just wait.

Not long after Jaxon returned to the villa with Arabelle, the housekeeper came rushing over.

"Young master, the madam’s illness has flared up again..."

Ella, his mother, had long suffered from pulmonary blebs. The condition often left her writhing in pain and robbed her of sleep. Hearing that his mother was in agony once more, Jaxon grabbed Arabelle and hurried upstairs.

As soon as they pushed open the door, they found Ella curled up in bed, groaning in pain.

"Mom, Arabelle’s here! Her medical skills are top-notch. She’ll help ease your pain!"

But Ella cried out in distress, "Where’s Liora? Why isn’t that girl here?"

"Mom, she’s already gone to the Montgomerys."

"That damn girl! After everything our family did for her! Good riddance! I’ve got Arabelle now, and I don’t need her to take care of me!"

Arabelle glanced at the medical record and felt a pang of guilt. Pulmonary blebs? She had never even heard of it. Still, she forced a calm smile and said, “Don’t worry, Aunt Ella. I’ll get you some medicine.”

She hurried downstairs, rummaged through her bag, and pulled out two ibuprofen tablets. Handing them to the maid, she said, “This is special medication I brought back from abroad. Give these to Aunt Ella. I have something to take care of, so I’ll leave first.”

Upstairs, Jaxon watched with relief as his mother finally drifted into sleep after taking the pills. His heart settled. Thankfully, they had Arabelle now; Liora was nothing worth remembering.

A woman who couldn’t even compare to a maid had no place standing beside someone like Arabelle.

What they didn’t realize was that Ella was allergic to ibuprofen.

On the other side, I followed Tessa into a secluded courtyard. The air was still, the surroundings calm, and it was an ideal place for recovery.

As we pushed open the door, a slender figure came into view. Medical equipment surrounded him, and several private nurses moved quietly around the room.

Rigel’s skin was so pale that the blue of his veins peeked through, undoubtedly from years spent away from sunlight. His features were striking and sharp, like a sculpture chiseled in silence. With his eyes closed, the sharpness of his brows and the intensity of his gaze had softened into peace.

At an age when he should have been vibrant and alive, he had instead spent years trapped in a silent slumber.

“I’ve searched for every renowned doctor I could find, but nothing worked. He still hasn’t woken up,” Tessa said, her voice thick with sorrow. She clutched my hand, desperation in her grip. “Liora, you once saved me. I believe in you.”

I stepped closer to examine Rigel’s condition. I had already reviewed his case; ten years ago, he had slipped into a coma after a high fever. The doctors concluded it was nerve damage caused by the fever, leading to brain trauma.

Ten years ago, the very year Callum had that car accident and “died.”

I shook my head. It couldn’t have been a coincidence. My task wasn’t finished; there was no way the system would hand over the reward so soon.

I pulled out my traditional medicine kit and began examining Rigel.

Meanwhile, back at the villa, Ella’s condition only eased for a short while after taking the pills Arabelle gave her. By midnight, the pain returned, and she woke crying out for Jaxon.

Jaxon had just wrapped up work, drained from endless company troubles. Hearing his mother’s cries, he immediately sent someone to find Arabelle, but she didn’t answer.

The housekeeper approached, holding the empty pill bottle, her expression heavy with worry.

“Before, it was always Miss Liora who personally prepared the medicine for Madam. The relapse maybe because she’s run out. Ever since Miss Liora left, there hasn’t been any more.”

Jaxon’s patience frayed. “Just because she’s gone doesn’t mean no one else can take care of my mom.”

“But Miss Liora truly looked after her very well…”

He rubbed his temples, frustrated, and told them to call a private doctor. After a flurry of panic, the villa finally settled down. He looked up, it was already 3 a.m. Loosening his tie, he called out on instinct.

“Liora, make me a late-night snack.”

No one answered. Only then did Jaxon realize the woman who had always been there was gone.

He hadn’t even touched the last bowl of soup she made before going to prison. He had only watched as she was dragged into the police car.

He used to believe she did everything willingly for him. But now, she had broken free… and walked straight into the Montgomery family’s world.

Jaxon frowned, a dull ache blooming in his stomach.

It had been years since that pain returned, thanks to Liora’s careful care. Whenever he was exhausted, she would bring soup she had simmered for hours. He often complained about the bitter herbal taste, yet the pain never once came back.

Thinking about those ten years with Liora, everything in his life had been seamless. His mother had never once suffered.

Now that she was gone, why did everything feel like it was unraveling?

He glanced at his phone. Arabelle hadn’t replied since 9 p.m. A flicker of frustration rose in him. Still, Arabelle had healed his legs. He couldn’t forget that. As for Liora, he could only try to make up for what he had done.

Last time, she stole Arabelle’s ring. He hadn’t broken her hand, wasn’t that enough mercy?

And she didn’t even return to say thank you. Had she really grown that bold?

At some point, Jaxon dozed off on the sofa. He didn’t know how long had passed, but he vaguely heard a whisper. When he opened his eyes, someone was covering him with a blanket. Instinctively, he grabbed the hand.

“Liora!”

But Arabelle’s voice cut through the silence. “Jaxon, who are you calling?”

Seeing Arabelle’s stunned face, Jaxon realized he had let his guard down; he had just dreamed of that damned woman, Liora.

He hurried to explain. “Sorry, Arabelle. She was by my side for so many years. It’s just a habit.”

Tears shimmered in Arabelle’s eyes. “You called out Liora’s name. Have you fallen for her now?”

“No. I haven’t. I only love you. You know that.”

Noticing the trace of impatience flash across Jaxon’s face, Arabelle quickly changed the subject.

“Alright, I understand. I must’ve fallen asleep last night and missed your calls. That’s why I came early today.”

Jaxon nodded slightly, then turned and headed to his room to rest.

Arabelle followed close behind; her fists clenched tightly. Deep down, a storm of jealousy brewed. Jaxon’s heart was starting to shift toward that woman. She had to act fast.

She thought of the dinner from the night before, how the head of the Montgomery family had assured her father they would drive Liora out completely. That memory finally calmed her racing thoughts.

“Liora, you filthy bitch. I’ll ruin you soon.”