Ch. 1061..1070
Chapter 1061
Chapter 1061
Heidi's eyes widened in disbelief, freezing her in place, and even her breathing came to a halt. "But I...," she stammered.
"Ms. Lister!" Remus held up the list in his hand and sneered. "I'm sorry, but your name is not on the list."
"How is that possible!?" Heidi exclaimed.
"I wouldn't know. All I know is that we must follow His Majesty's requirements and check the list to allow entry," Remus explained. Heidi's expression turned extremely grim. Her face paled, and she broke out in a cold sweat despite the scorching sun.
"Ms. Violet Grist," Remus drawled, raising an eyebrow. "Your name is not on the list either!"
"What?" Violet protested. "What's going on? I have an invitation letter. I—"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Grist, but according to the royal rules, the invitation letter has no effect. The final reference is the list," Remus clarified.
"Well "
"Heh, but I believe it would be a waste for you to enter, Ms. Grist. The Southeast Aciatic palace does not welcome someone like you!" Remus taunted.
Violet gnashed her teeth, her eyes burning with anger.
However, with guards surrounding them and Remus' prestigious status, she didn't dare to provoke him. She had no choice but to suppress her emotions and ask, "Why?"
"I heard what you said earlier." Remus raised his voice. "Southeast Aciatic is a place of simple and honest people. His Majesty advocates for equality, friendship, and unity! Your earlier words seem to contradict those values."
Violet froze, standing under the scorching sun alongside Heidi like statues.
Keira glanced at Lina with a mischievous smile on her face as she whispered, "Isn't this satisfying?"
"Huh?"
"Don't you think so?" Keira's joy couldn't be contained. "Hehe, karma always finds its way. It's true!"
Lina pursed her lips, her smile less evident. As Keira had said, what had just happened... did feel satisfying.
"Alright, students!" Remus addressed everyone, flashing a smile. "I'll be your guide for today's visit to the palace. However, please be aware that there are certain areas where photography is not allowed. Your understanding is appreciated.
"His Majesty has arranged a lunch for all of you, featuring authentic Southeast Aciatic cuisine! I hope this trip lives up to your expectations!" Remus exclaimed, the students cheering enthusiastically, oblivious to the two statues. They quickly followed Remus.
Suddenly, Remus turned around and fixed his sly gaze on Gia. "You're Ms. Gia Chapman, correct?"
Gia was taken aback, her heart sinking.
"Ms. Chapman, your name is not on the list either. I'm afraid you'll have to leave the group," Remus announced.
"What?" Gia couldn't believe it.
"I said your name is not on the list," Remus repeated firmly.
"But why... Why didn't you inform me earlier?"
"Because the latest version of the list just arrived," Remus replied, flipping over the tablet to display the updated list. Indeed, Gia's name was missing from it.
Gia bit her lip, her shoulders trembling. She had a sudden feeling that this was all planned behind the scenes...
She looked at Lina.
Lina also glanced at her, wanting to say something but ultimately remaining silent.
The two of them silently locked eyes for a moment, but Gia looked away first.
"Attention, everyone!" Remus clapped his hands. "You may now follow me inside!"
One by one, everyone passed by Gia. They were usually friendly, but not a single person spoke up on her behalf.
It was reminiscent of the morning at the hotel when no one stood up for Lina...
Gia gasped.
Chapter 1062
Chapter 1062
After everyone had entered, the two "statues" suddenly came to life, pounding their chests and cursing.
"What's this all about? We came all this way, and they won't let us in?"
"What's so special about this lousy palace? Even if they invited me, I wouldn't go inside!"
"This place is a dump... I need to take pictures. I—"
The palace guards swiftly surrounded them, not touching the two women but giving them cold stares. They held long spears with gleaming blades under the sunlight. Violet instantly felt intimidated, while Heidi, fearing trouble, quickly handed over her phone.
The guards glanced at Violet and confiscated her phone as well.
Both of them were denied entry to any of the palaces and were left standing in the open square, exposed to the scorching sun. A group of guards surrounded them.
Gia stood nearby, wearing a dark expression. She recalled the man's words-"Do you know who the man beside Lina is?
"Zuko, the eldest heir of the Hamertons of Centrolis. He's currently out of the city!
"Heh, her adoptive parents dote on her, and the eldest Hamerton heir spoils her too! Tell me, why is Lina so lucky?"
Gia's fingertips trembled.
She had heard that the Hamertons of Centrolis had a marriage alliance with the Irwins of Southeast Aciatic. If her guess was correct, Zuko had orchestrated everything that had happened today.
A sinister glint flashed in Gia's eyes as she tightly clenched her fists!
Yes, the man's words were right... If she didn't take care of Lina soon, it wouldn't just be a ticking time bomb for Melvin. It wouldn't benefit her either!
"Lina, don't blame me." She gritted her teeth with each word. "You forced my hand... It's your own doing!"
...
When Lina returned to the hotel in the evening, she had her usual video call with Zuko. So much had happened today, and it was so thrilling that she was still exhilarated.
"Zeke, the king turned out to be so warm and hospitable. The arrangements were incredibly thoughtful!"
"Oh, you're referring to the people he sent to pick you up?" Zuko smiled. "In my analysis, visiting the palace is a significant event, so the number of people and the guest list must be well-matched. It's crucial for security reasons."
"Mr. Remus mentioned the same thing," Lina said, looking at him. "But experiencing it personally feels so surreal... Hehe, it's the first time I've ever felt like a princess!"
Zuko said, "In that case, I'll make you feel like a princess every day from now on, alright?"
Lina blushed and shyly smiled at him.
Zuko whispered, "I suggest you take a hot bath to calm down. You seem so excited that you might have trouble sleeping tonight!"
"If I can't sleep, will you keep me company?"
"I will definitely keep you company, but you have your studies tomorrow, so it's important to get a good night's sleep."
Lina pouted, but her dimples were still visible.
Zuko always lectured her seriously, making her feel like she didn't just find a boyfriend but a young father.
His voice carried a hint of amusement. "Lina, it seems like you want me to accompany you in everything now?"
"Huh?"
"You just said I should accompany you if you can't sleep."
"So what? Is that not allowed?"
"Of course, it's allowed." Zuko continued with a "serious" tone. "If you want me to keep you company when you can't sleep, then should I also join you when you take a bath?"
"You..."
Lina didn't even have a chance to blush before she saw him entering the bathroom, holding the corner of his shirt and slowly lifting it...
He smirked at the camera. "Lina, I'll... take a bath with you."
Chapter 1063
Chapter 1063
Lina's face blazed with heat as she averted her gaze from the screen. "What did you just say?"
"I said, let's take a bath together!" Zuko's smile widened as he slowly removed his shirt, revealing his muscular upper body. "Why aren't you looking at me?"
"Zeke, you..."
Lina pursed her lips, torn between not wanting to look at the screen and stealing a few glances. She caught glimpses of his chest, washboard abs, and strong arms... Her face grew even redder, and her heart raced uncontrollably.
Zuko remained composed and calmly said, "Do you actually want to look or not? If you don't want to, you can just end the video call, right?"
"You..."
"Since you're not ending the call, I'll take it that you're willing to take a bath with me."
A mischievous curve formed at the corner of Zuko's lips. "Lina, don't you undress when you take a bath?"
"Zeke!"
Lina's face turned as red as a tomato. She couldn't help but smile, trying to keep it subtle, as her heart overflowed with sweetness.
Her shyness was genuine. She hadn't expected the usually serious man to say such things with a serious expression.
Zuko set his phone aside, and the camera happened to be level with his waist. He casually hooked his fingers on his shorts. His voice, low and gentle, sounded hoarse as he said, "I'm going to start showering."
Lina lowered her eyes, afraid to look at the camera, only to hear a scream from the phone!
Startled, she glanced at the screen and saw Zuko wide-eyed, looking in a certain direction, his expression shocked.
The atmosphere suddenly grew unusually quiet, as if time had frozen for a dozen seconds. After a while, a smiling yet tearful-looking Dave appeared on the screen.
"Bro, Door Guardian... what a coincidence?" he said.
Zuko looked at him, then at his phone, trying to calm himself down.
"Um... Lina, I'll stop here for now. Rest early!" Zuko said.
"Huh?" Lina wanted to ask something, but the video call had already ended. She pondered the layout of their home's bathroom.
The bathroom was quite spacious, with a corner next to the cabinet. In the dim evening light, if someone inside forgot to lock the door...
Zeke must not have realized that Dave was in there when he entered!
Lina struggled to suppress her laughter and hid under the covers.
On the other side...
Zuko stared at Dave as if he had seen a ghost.
Meanwhile, Dave squatted in front of the cabinet, awkwardly standing up while holding a toilet paper roll.
Dave said, "Bro, you—"
Zuko interrupted him. "Dave, you..."
"I... I just finished using the toilet," Dave explained awkwardly. "As I walked out, I suddenly realized that I ran out of toilet paper, so I turned back to find some. Who would have thought that you came in just as I crouched down and opened the cabinet?"
Zuko was dumbfounded. "So... you heard and saw everything from the beginning?"
Dave chuckled, confirming that he had indeed heard and seen it all.
He had witnessed Zuko holding his phone, striking a seductive pose, lifting his clothes, and about to take off his pants. He had even heard all of Zuko's flirtatious words...
Perhaps the Door Guardian had been so engrossed that he didn't notice someone in front of the cabinet from the start.
Zuko wished he could find a hole to hide in! He lamented, "What did you hear and see!?"
"Bro, Door Guardian, don't worry." Dave quickly straightened up and said seriously, "I can forget everything that just happened!"
"You" Zuko started, but Dave interrupted with a smile. "But are you and my sister... always this wild?"
Zuko choked on his breath and swiftly fled with his phone.
What a disaster...
Chapter 1064
Chapter 1064
At Southeast Aciatic...
Lina, unable to sleep, tossed and turned in bed. She considered making a phone call to find out what was going on. The image of Zuko and Dave locking eyes replayed in her mind, causing her to burst into laughter.
Suddenly, there was a knock on her door. Startled, Lina approached quietly and peeked through the peephole. To her surprise, it was Gia.
"Lina, are you awake?"
Lina hesitated for a moment before deciding to open the door.
Gia looked into her eyes and gave a weak smile. "Lina, can we have a proper talk?"
Lina remained silent, sensing that Gia had changed. People would change, and she didn't hold it against Gia, but she wanted to know the reason.
Gia continued cautiously. "Lina, let's find a quiet place to talk, okay?"
"Let's just stay here," Lina replied, leaning against the door frame, not inviting her in or showing any desire to accompany her. A few words would suffice to clarify things.
Gia looked around hesitantly. "But this place..."
"It's quiet here," Lina stated with an expressionless face. "Not many people pass by in the corridor, so no one will overhear our conversation. Besides, I was about to go to sleep and don't want to go too far."
"At this hour?" Gia softly chuckled. "Our classmates are still out shopping, going crazy with their purchases!"
"Hah, I don't have that much money for shopping. I only brought a small suitcase," Lina replied with a distant smile.
"Lina..."
"Is there anything else?"
"I just want to explain," Gia pleaded, looking at her with a pitiful expression. "What happened today wasn't intentional."
Lina's lips twitched slightly. "What happened?"
"Lina, you know exactly what I'm talking about... This morning, when Ms. Lister didn't let you join the visit, and no one stood up against it. Do you think I could go against the majority? "Lina, can't you understand me? I have my own difficulties in reaching this point...'
"
"Yes, I understand," Lina said, suppressing a flicker of anger. "You have your difficulties, so you can disregard our friendship!"
"Lina..." Gia wanted to reach out and hold Lina's hand, but the latter pushed her away.
"You weren't like this before!" Lina finally shouted, looking at her with immense disappointment. "No matter what happened, you always stood by my side! Whenever Violet targeted me, you were the one who spoke up for me!"
"Yes, I was wrong." Gia paused, tears welling up in her eyes, looking pitiful. "Lina, let me tell you the truth... A-Actually, my parents work for the Grists! That's why the Grists revealed some information about the stock market, causing their stocks to rise...
"So, our family is also under the Grists' control!"
Lina was stunned, a hint of surprise in her dark eyes.
Gia's family background was ordinary. If they could climb up the Grists' ladder, why would they give up easily? This must be the difficulty Gia mentioned.
Lina bit her lip, and her hardened heart seemed to crack.
Gia said softly, "Lina, I've been thinking about our past these past few days. Didn't we promise that regardless of marriage, we'd buy a small house and live together
"We said we'd be best friends forever!"
Lina closed her eyes, then opened them and took a deep breath.
Silence hung in the air before she uttered softly, "Are you done speaking?"
"Lina?"
"If you're done, please leave. I need to rest."
"Wait!" Gia stopped her from closing the door and placed a beautifully packaged facial cream in her hands.
"Lina, I know you're angry with me, but I genuinely want to apologize to you." Gia spoke sincerely. "I bought this at the duty-free store today. It's an international brand and works great!"
"I don't need-"
"Lina, please accept it!" Gia insisted, forcing it into her hands. "I noticed that your skin hasn't been in the best condition these past few days, probably due to the change in environment. This skincare product specifically targets that, and it's very effective!"
Lina did not want to accept it, but Gia held onto her hand and would not let go.
Gia could feel Lina's hands trembling and smiled. She knew Lina's weakness was her soft heart and fatal flaw.
"Try using it tonight," Gia said deliberately. "I know your husband is a typical straight guy and probably doesn't know about these things or buy them for you, right?"
Lina remained silent for a moment before slowly accepting the jar of facial cream.
Gia smirked.
However, a harsh voice interrupted them. "You're giving such a gem to her? Gia, are you out of your mind?"
Chapter 1065
Chapter 1065
Gia and Lina were startled by the sight of Violet striding over, carrying bags of various sizes in her arms. Her face had tanned a bit from spending the day under the sun at the palace, and despite the thick layer of makeup, signs of sunburn were still visible.
Violet's eyes glared venomously at Lina when she spotted her.
"Such deep sisterly love!" Violet sneered sarcastically. "Gia, have you forgotten how we ended up sunbathing today? Your best friend here was strolling around the palace in her pretty clothes, but did she ever think about you being out in the sun?"
Gia looked at Violet and spoke calmly. "This is between Lina and me. Please don't interfere."
Violet gritted her teeth. "How dare you talk to me like that now, you little b*tch!?"
Violet's attention was then drawn to the jar of facial cream in Lina's hand. Its packaging shimmered with the name of a certain expensive brand. Even though it was sold in duty-free shops, it still carried a high price tag. In high-end stores in Jangasas, its price was exorbitant.
Filled with anger, Violet swiftly snatched the jar of facial cream from Lina.
"What are you doing, Violet?" Gia exclaimed.
"Isn't it a waste to let her use such a good thing?" Violet stood tall and proud. "Coincidentally, I didn't get to buy this brand of skincare product today. Gia, consider this your gift to me! In the future, I'll make things less difficult for you in class. How about that?"
Gia stared at Violet, taken aback by her interference. This girl could be both arrogant and incredibly foolish.
"Lina, stop her!" Gia cried out, worried that Violet would ruin her plan. "I bought that for Lina. What right do you have to take it away?"
Violet acted unreasonably and gave Gia a hard shove. "Using something of yours is already a sign of me respecting you! How dare you shout at me?"
"Give it back to Lina!"
"No!" Violet tore open the packaging of the facial cream. "I'll use it tonight! Lina, your face can make do with some cheap stuff from street vendors. No need for a luxury brand!"
Before Gia could respond, Lina raised her voice. "Both of you, quiet down!"
Feeling a throbbing pain in her temples, Lina felt restless and annoyed by their bickering.
"I don't want this anymore. Both of you, go back to your rooms!"
"Lina..." Gia stood in a daze as Lina forcefully slammed the door shut.
Violet smirked and returned to her room, carrying the facial cream.
Gia clutched her clothes with a hint of panic in her eyes.
In the dead of night, a horrifying scream pierced through the hotel amidst the silence.
"Ah!"
Lina hesitated for a moment, then quickly dressed herself and rushed out upon realizing it wasn't a dream.
The corridor was filled with chaos as everyone hurried out. The screams continued to emanate from a particular room.
A student shouted, "It's Violet's room!"
In a state of panic, Heidi joined the hotel manager in opening the door.
Lina followed the crowd, only to witness an unbelievable sight.
Violet lay on the bed, writhing in agony, her hands covering her face. Her face appeared red, swollen, and infected as if venomous insects had attacked it—she was unrecognizable!
"It... It's this!" Violet struggled to point at the jar of facial cream on the dressing table. "It's this!"
A few hours later, the doctor emerged from the emergency room with a grave expression. "Ms. Grist has suffered a severe allergic reaction on her face. Through emergency treatment, we managed to control the extent of the ulceration."
Still in shock, Heidi pondered how she would explain this incident to the school authorities upon their return. Moreover, Violet was the Grist heiress. Could they let this slide?
In a state of mental chaos, Heidi's face turned pale, and she weakly leaned against the wall as she questioned the doctor, "W-What... What exactly happened?"
"The initial diagnosis indicates an allergic reaction to a chemical substance." The doctor carefully examined the facial cream. "To determine the specific substance she's allergic to, further tests will be required."
"Will she recover from this?"
"The damage has reached the dermis layer, so she won't fully recover to her previous state."
Heidi took two steps back in fright, leaning against the wall and struggling to catch her breath.
Lina felt her palms grow sweaty as panic set in. She instinctively glanced at Gia in the corner, but Gia averted her gaze momentarily before turning away.
A buzzing sound filled Lina's ears, drowning out everything except for her own erratic heartbeat.
That jar of facial cream... Gia had originally bought it for her! If Violet hadn't taken it, Lina could have been the one lying in the hospital tonight.
"I want to call the police!" Violet's hoarse cry echoed from the emergency room. "Those two b*tches must have conspired to harm me! Call the police!" "Okay, calm down... We'll call the police!" Heidi tried to soothe her. "Violet, you mentioned those two... b*tches? Who are they?"
"It's Gia and Lina!" Violet gnashed her teeth. "They gave me this jar of facial cream!"
Lina's heart skipped a beat, and a shiver ran down her spine.
Heidi shot her a fierce glare and promptly called the police.
Soon, the police arrived, led by an officer who briefly questioned everyone before preparing to take them to the police station for statements.
Lina maintained her innocence, insisting that she had nothing to do with it.
The police officer said with a faint smile. "Miss, whether you're involved or not, we'll only know after conducting an investigation at the police station. Please cooperate with us." Lina trembled while Gia had already been apprehended by the police, ready to be escorted out of the hospital.
Amidst the chaos, a voice echoed through the corridor. "What's happening here?"
Lina turned toward the source of the voice.
Approaching them was a middle-aged man dressed in a white robe. He exuded an air of elegance and gentleness, and even the police officer respectfully greeted him, "Mr. Irwin!" Carter nodded in acknowledgment. "Officer Matthew, may I inquire about the situation?"
Chapter 1066
Chapter 1066
"Oh, it's just a minor issue," Officer Matthew apologized with a smile. "Mr. Irwin, there's no need to worry. I'll handle it promptly."
Carter questioned, "Arresting someone in my hospital is considered a minor issue?"
Officer Matthew paused briefly, choosing not to respond further.
Lina observed the man in the white coat. Despite his friendly appearance, he exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect. His gentle voice carried an undeniable air of authority.
When Carter looked at Lina, he too was taken aback. More specifically, his attention was captivated by the bangle on her wrist.
Carter furrowed his brow. There was no mistaking it-the design and material of the Le Esse bangle were truly one-of-a-kind. His sister used to wear it frequently, but she had put it away after having children to prevent any damage.
He never expected to see it on this girl's wrist today!
Carter's assistant stepped forward. "Officer Matthew, Mr. Irwin has just finished performing surgery and is exhausted. Please, handle this matter appropriately so that our director can rest." "Yes, of course..."
Carter shifted his gaze away from Lina, lightly furrowing his brows. "So, what exactly happened?"
"This has nothing to do with me!" Gia fiercely struggled as two police officers restrained her. "Officer, don't listen to Violet's lies! I bought that facial cream from the duty-free counter, and I still have the receipt! Besides... she snatched it from me herself. It wasn't a gift from me!"
"Y-You!"
Violet burst out of the emergency room. Her face was wrapped in thick bandages, resembling a mummy, with only her eyes visible. Despite the pain on her face, her hands and feet were not idle. As soon as she stormed out of the emergency room, she slapped Gia forcefully!
The nearby nurses hurried to intervene, and Heidi also stepped forward to prevent the situation from escalating.
Gia staggered back from the impact of the slap, her face swollen on one side. Violet's hoarse screams echoed through the corridor.
Amidst the chaos, Lina was inadvertently pushed and bumped into Carter.
Carter supported her, now certain that the bracelet was indeed Le Esse.
"I'm sorry," Lina whispered.
"It's okay." Carter smiled, glancing at Officer Matthew.
Understanding the unspoken message, Officer Matthew called out, "This is a hospital. Everyone, please be quiet!"
His voice echoed like a bomb in deep water, shattering the chaos into stillness.
Carter calmly stood in front of Lina, protecting her with a firm grip on her shoulder.
Lina stood there, bewildered, as the gentlemanly middle-aged man spoke up. "I have a general understanding of the situation. Officer Matthew, the preliminary diagnosis suggests that the issue lies within the facial cream, correct?"
"Yes," Officer Matthew confirmed with a nod.
Carter's smile widened. "Please, enlighten us with what you've discovered."
Officer Matthew cleared his throat twice. His straightforward approach was to apprehend suspects swiftly, regardless of the circumstances. However, he hadn't anticipated encountering Carter, a man who stood firm and uncompromising.
Glancing at Carter, Officer Matthew proceeded to explain the situation, emphasizing, "Mr. Irwin, I don't wish to cause you any trouble, so I planned to take the suspects into custody for interrogation as soon as possible!"
Carter chuckled. "Ah, but wouldn't it cause even more trouble if there's a miscarriage of justice under my watch?"
Officer Matthew pursed his lips, unable to find a rebuttal.
"So, you want to take Ms. Chapman and Ms. Jenner with you, is that correct?" Carter asked, cutting to the chase.
Chapter 1067
Chapter 1067
Officer Matthew gave an honest reply, "Yes, based on Ms. Grist's identification, they are the primary suspects."
"But Ms. Chapman purchased the facial cream, and she was the one who took it out. What does it have to do with Ms. Jenner?
"Isn't this a subjective and arbitrary judgment based solely on one person's word?
"Is this how the police academy teaches you to handle cases?"
Officer Matthew felt sweat forming on his nose.
Carter let out a light chuckle. "Of course, I'm just a doctor and shouldn't interfere with your police work. How you handle this case is entirely up to you, Officer Matthew. I only hope that the impact on our hospital can be minimized."
Even if Officer Matthew were as dense as a block of wood, he could still sense the implications in Carter's words. He observed how Carter protected the girl named Lina behind him, taking a protective stance... Instantly, Officer Matthew straightened up and assumed a more respectful posture than when facing his superiors. He shouted loudly, "Understood!"
Carter nodded, giving a slight smile.
Officer Matthew made a gesture and commanded, "Take the suspect, Gia Chapman, away!"
"What?" Gia's eyes widened. "Why should I be taken away? And... what about Lina? Why aren't you taking her?
"Hey, you can't arrest people randomly... Let go of me!"
Unfortunately, no matter how she struggled and protested, the police officers held her firmly, and her voice gradually faded away as she was taken down the corridor.
Lina's mind went blank, but a thought suddenly crossed her mind. Was it actually her that Gia wanted to harm?
Thinking about it sent a shiver down her spine.
Amidst the fear, she also felt a sense of sadness. She couldn't comprehend why Gia held such deep resentment toward her. How did their once inseparable friendship reach this point?
"Mr. Irwin, the situation has been resolved, so we won't disturb your rest," Officer Matthew respectfully informed.
Carter turned his head and caught sight of the miserable girl. He was curious about how she ended up wearing the bangle and what had happened to her classmate, whose face was wrapped in bandages. He instructed his assistant to bring him the facial cream.
LC, an imported brand from Eropah with a long history, was highly regarded and renowned for its quality internationally.
Could a brand like this really cause facial damage? Carter wondered. Not only did he sense something amiss, but even an average consumer wouldn't believe it.
Carter tightened his grip on the facial cream and pondered for a moment before speaking. "The matter hasn't been fully resolved yet. Since they're visiting exchange students and this incident occurred in Southeast Aciatic, we should provide them with an explanation."
Officer Matthew was surprised. "Well..."
"First, arrange a hospital ward for Ms. Grist," Carter instructed. "Bring in dermatology specialists for a consultation to develop the most suitable treatment plan for her."
"As for this jar of facial cream..." Carter looked at Officer Matthew, "I'll keep a portion of it for detailed testing in my hospital. Please take the remaining portion and hand it over to the forensic examiner for testing. We'll have the results in two days, and then we can compare notes to determine the cause of the problem."
"Yes, that's a good plan!" Officer Matthew agreed, taking a portion of the facial cream and leaving.
With the commotion settled, Heidi settled Violet down and escorted the students back to the hotel.
Lina remained seated on a bench in the hospital, lost in thought. She walked toward the window, hoping to gaze at the night sky. Zuko had told her that the stars in Southeast Aciatic were magical and that if she made a wish upon them, it would come true.
She associated the stars with Zuko. However, tonight the sky was shrouded in mist, devoid of any stars.
A sense of loneliness and desolation washed over her. She felt alone in a foreign land, without friends and with people who wanted to harm her.
It was only by a small margin that her life hadn't been completely upturned.
Lina gasped, gazing at the vast night sky in bewilderment. Suddenly, a gentle hand patted her shoulder.
"Ah!" Startled, she turned around and was astonished by the person before her.
"I apologize for startling you," the nurse said gently, with a smile. "Are you... Ms. Lina Jenner?"
"Yes, it's me."
"Our director is requesting your presence. Please come with me, Ms. Jenner!"
Chapter 1068
Chapter 1068
Lina regained her composure and decided to express her gratitude to the hospital director, the middle-aged man in the white robe who had shielded her from the police. She nodded and followed the nurse to the director's office.
Just finishing his work, Carter greeted Lina with a gentle smile and gestured for her to sit on the couch. Before he could speak, Lina thanked him timidly for his help. Carter assured her that it was just a small favor and there was no need for formalities.
Noticing Lina's bangle on her wrist, Carter commented on its beauty, which Lina revealed was a gift from her husband. Carter's gaze lingered on the bangle, understanding Zuko's actions from a few days ago. He briefly conversed with Lina, getting to know her better.
During their conversation, Carter noticed Lina's slight discomfort and inquired about her well-being.
Lina then realized a minor injury on her arm from the altercation with Violet and tried to downplay it. However, Carter insisted on a detailed examination by the nurse, concerned for her welfare. Lina hesitated but eventually agreed, understanding Carter's genuine concern for her.
Carter gestured for the nurse to accompany Lina out, assuring her that it was just a routine check-up before returning to the hotel with his driver. Lina felt grateful but struggled to express it. Carter's private phone rang as he observed Lina's departure. Recognizing the caller as his family, he answered with a soft tone, "Hello, dad. Have you heard about tonight's incident?" Rowan responded seriously. "Yes, it concerns our future granddaughter-in-law. Your mother and I are worried. How did you handle it?"
"It's taken care of," Carter assured him. "I had her thoroughly examined here due to her minor injury, just to be safe."
Rowan expressed his approval, saying, "Good."
"Dad, something doesn't sit right with me about this whole situation."
"Who wouldn't feel the same?" Rowan replied in a deep voice, "Her face was ruined without reason. There must be a hidden conspiracy known only to those involved." "Also, LC, the brand, will likely approach us," Carter whispered. "Their product caused the problem, an unprecedented incident in their history. They'll surely take PR measures." "In any case, your mother and I believe that as long as our future granddaughter-in-law is safe and sound, the rest doesn't matter."
"Dad..."
Carter couldn't help but laugh at his father's words, promising to fulfill his request. After all, the family cherished the eldest heir, and Lina held a special place in the eldest heir's heart. "Don't worry!" Carter reassured with a smile. "When the brand approaches us, I'll handle it discreetly. I suspect there may be someone orchestrating things behind the scenes. If we keep it under control and avoid alarming anyone, who knows when the truth might surface!"
"Very well," Rowan agreed.
Carter overheard his mother's voice during the call, making their conversation a mystery.
"Dad, what did mom say?"
"Oh, your mother wants a copy of our future granddaughter-in-law's medical examination report!" Rowan chuckled. "She wants to compare it with Zuko's. Instead of zodiac signs, they'll match their DNA and see if their cells are compatible!"
Carter was taken aback. "Uh..."
In all his years of practicing medicine, Carter had never encountered such a situation before.
The news of "LC Facial Cream Disfigures" spread rapidly on the Internet, generating overwhelming public opinion and intense discussions among netizens.
Representatives from LC promptly arrived at the hospital, seeking to handle the matter through public relations channels. They aimed to locate Violet and resolve the issue.
Filled with anger and with no outlet for her emotions, Violet launched into a vehement curse-filled tirade as soon as she saw the brand representatives. She drove away several PR experts who had come to negotiate.
Not only did Violet direct her curses toward those individuals, but she also included Gia and Lina in her tirade.
"It's those two b*tches who were pretending to be friendly with me!" Violet angrily hurled a cup to the floor. "They must have conspired beforehand and given me a faulty cream! They want to harm me!" Passing by the ward, Carter frowned upon hearing the commotion and decided to enter.
LC's brand manager, Jessie Johnson, was also present, appearing helpless as she witnessed Violet's outburst.
"What's going on? Has Ms. Grist been behaving like this for the past few days?" Carter inquired.
"Yes!" Jessie quickly responded before the nurse could answer. "I tried to discuss compensation with her, but she refused to listen. She has been cursing those two girls, especially, um... Lina Jenner." Carter's expression darkened as he glanced at Jessie.
"Postpone the compensation discussion for now," he calmly suggested. "Considering Ms. Grist's current state, I believe it will be best if she no longer remains in the dermatology department." "What?" The suggestion took Jessie aback.
Carter gestured to the nurse. "Please contact the director of the psychiatric department and request his presence to assess the situation and explore potential solutions."
Chapter 1069
Chapter 1069
Jessie reacted swiftly, exclaiming, "So, Ms. Grist has mental problems, huh?"
Carter was taken aback. He had only expressed concern and discomfort over Violet's earlier cursing of Lina. He didn't explicitly state that Violet had a mental problem.
"Mr. Irwin, I understand!" Jessie exclaimed joyfully, winking at him. "Ms. Grist has mental issues, and she must have applied something on her face and falsely accused our brand!" Carter was rendered speechless. "I didn't say that..."
"How can we trust the words of a psychiatric patient?" Jessie continued confidently.
Carter widened his eyes, witnessing a unique display of medical logic.
"Thank you, Mr. Irwin! I'll report this right away!" Jessie bowed sincerely, smiling.
"No, wait..." Carter tried to interject.
"Don't worry, Mr. Irwin!" Jessie assured him, displaying her shrewdness. "I'll have a meeting with the PR department and ensure you and your hospital aren't involved." Carter closed the medical record quietly, feeling helpless.
Upon hearing Jessie's words, Violet started cursing even more fiercely and throwing a tantrum.
However, Jessie remained calm and took out her phone to record Violet's ugly behavior. Satisfied with the footage, she smiled and left.
Carter's assistant spoke softly. "Mr. Irwin, should we still find the psychiatric department director?"
Carter gave a wry smile.
If LC wanted to survive in Southeast Aciatic, they couldn't afford to offend the Irwins. The female staff's words seemed genuine-they wouldn't involve the Irwins. Therefore, Lina would remain unharmed. As for Violet, Gia, and all the other messy individuals and situations, they were not under the jurisdiction of the Irwins.
"No need," Carter said softly. "Retrieve the test results and call Jessie. I'll invite her for coffee."
The assistant nodded and complied.
Carter arrived at the agreed-upon cafe in the afternoon and checked his phone. He discovered that LC's powerful PR team had already taken down the trending tags, causing the situation to reverse. The video of Violet's outburst had been uploaded, and public opinion was now leaning toward LC, claiming that someone with a mental illness had slandered the century-old brand.
In the official statement, there was no mention of Irwin Hospital or any unrelated individuals.
With a faint smile, Carter entered the cafe and took a seat across from Jessie.
"Ms. Jessie," he said directly, pulling out the test report. "Although the controversy has temporarily subsided, there are still some truths I need to reveal.
"After conducting lab tests, it was discovered that this jar of facial cream contains a fungus that causes skin ulceration. The results from my report match those issued by the forensic department. They are identical."
Jessie's expression froze, and she furrowed her brows. "No... T-That's impossible! LC has a century-old reputation and only uses natural ingredients. We spare no expense. It can't be that there's a fungus like this!"
Carter continued. "That's correct. I had someone purchase another jar, and the test results were different. Only this specific jar had the fungus, while the others did not."
Jessie sighed in relief, pondered for a moment, and then looked up to ask, "Could someone be tampering with it? Is it possible that our competitors are trying to frame us?"
"I don't have the answer to that," Carter replied in a deep voice. "The person who purchased this facial cream, Ms. Chapman, is currently at the police station giving a statement. But I believe we shouldn't escalate this matter. Ms. Chapman is just a student with a simple background. She might be acting under someone's instructions."
Jessie thought for a moment and nodded firmly. "I understand. I promise that we will put an end to this matter and avoid further discussions. However, we still need to investigate. I suspect that someone is colluding from both inside and outside to create a jar of problematic facial cream. So..."
Jessie took out her phone and instructed her subordinates, "Retrieve the surveillance footage from the duty-free shop... Yes, specifically from the past few days. We need a thorough investigation!" At a private club in Centrolis...
Consumed by fury, Melvin angrily hurled a crystal ashtray against the wall, shattering it into pieces.
A black-clad man bowed before Melvin, cautiously observing his enraged expression. "Sir, regarding Gia..."
"That useless piece of trash!" Melvin roared.
He had instructed his subordinate to make several phone calls, including contacting his lawyer. After multiple attempts, they finally managed to reach the police station in Southeast Aciatic, securing a few minutes of conversation time.
Upon hearing Melvin's voice, Gia's trembling voice came through the phone. "Mr. Thompson, please save me...'
"You imbecile!" Melvin yelled into the phone, "You have no brains, devising such a pathetic scheme!"
Gia's voice choked, and she began sobbing uncontrollably.
"1
"Even if you wanted to ruin her, couldn't you do it discreetly, without any witnesses? But no, you handed her a facial cream in broad daylight. Now, not only have you failed to harm her, but you've also dragged the Grists and LC into this mess! How much trouble do you want to f*cking cause me!?"
Gia remained silent, terrified.
She admitted her jealousy had clouded her judgment and that she had acted without consulting Melvin. However, she never anticipated Violet's intervention!
"Enough, stop crying! It's driving me crazy!"
Melvin tugged at his tie and impatiently continued. "You got lucky this time. LC has shifted the blame onto Violet, claiming she has mental issues... Hmph! Otherwise, you'd be rotting in Southeast Aciatic's prison for the rest of your life!"
Melvin abruptly ended the call. The black-clad man approached him and lit a cigarette, speaking in a low voice." Gia... Is she still useful?"
Melvin narrowed his eyes.
Keeping her seemed impractical due to her below-average intelligence, as she caused more trouble than she was worth. However, not keeping her meant he had no suitable replacement at the moment. Gia still had the advantage of being able to get close to the real Pamela in Jangasas.
Melvin sighed deeply and lowered his voice, "Keep her... but don't rush to get her out. Let her suffer in there for a few days. A lesson well learned!"
"Yes!"
The black-clad man bowed, adjusting his baseball cap before preparing to leave. As he opened the door, he was startled!
"M-Ms. Thompson?" the man exclaimed.
Melvin heard the commotion and turned his head.
He saw Renee standing at the door, her big eyes fixed on the room, tightly gripping her dress, her face slightly pale.
"Renee?" Melvin's expression shifted, a trace of gloom flashing in his eyes. "What are you doing here?"
Chapter 1070
Chapter 1070
Renee felt nervous, and her back was drenched in a cold sweat. Confronting Melvin's ruthless gaze, she struggled to control her rapid heartbeat and calmly explained, "Mom... We don't have enough money for her medical expenses."
Melvin's tense demeanor eased slightly. He gestured for the man in black to leave and led Renee into a room, retrieving a card from the drawer. "Use this money for now."
Just as Renee reached out to take it, Melvin suddenly pulled the card back. "But first, tell me what you overheard."
"I..." Renee gripped her clothes tightly. She had caught snippets of Melvin's rage, but the details eluded her. She had faintly heard the name "Gia," which reminded her of the person she had paid for information at the hospital. They had mentioned that Melvin's DNA testing sample was obtained from a woman named Gia.
Could it be... Gia was the real Pamela?
"Renee!" Melvin's patience wore thin as he stared at her with a cold gaze.
Renee's heart pounded as she silently met his gaze. After a moment, she stammered, "I... I didn't hear anything. I just arrived here and wanted to ask you for money..."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
Melvin chuckled, his eyes filled with disdain as he realized she lacked the courage to lie to him. He placed the bank card in her hand, his tone carrying a warning. "As long as you behave and do as I say, your mother's life can be spared."
Renee lowered her eyes and nodded obediently.
Observing her timid demeanor, Melvin sneered coldly.
It had been almost two weeks since Lina arrived in Southeast Aciatic. She had encountered numerous challenges these days, and her mood had grown increasingly somber.
During moments like these, she longed to call Zuko. However, Zuko's phone had been unreachable all day, which struck her as odd. She contacted her parents and Dave, and they all provided the same explanation: Zuko had gone to the store and was likely in a signalless warehouse, making it impossible for him to answer the phone.
Feeling anxious and consumed by worry, Lina spent the entire day in a daze, her mind in turmoil. When classes finally ended for the day, she returned to the hotel in the evening without even having dinner, seeking solace in the yard.
The stars shone brightly as she gazed up at the night sky, but her phone remained unanswered. A profound sense of loneliness pierced her heart, leaving her deeply upset. Unable to contain her emotions any longer, she sat on a large rock in the courtyard, tears streaming down her face.
Suddenly, rustling came from the nearby bushes.
Startled, Lina peered closely and saw someone emerging from the dark shadows, holding a small lunchbox in their hands.
"Keira?" Lina exclaimed, surprised. "Why are you here?"
Keira smiled awkwardly and extended the lunchbox towards her. "I noticed you hadn't eaten dinner... so I brought you some snacks. They're famous in Southeast Aciatic, Ejada cake and rose-flavored jelly!" Lina's heart warmed, and she looked into Keira's eyes, expressing her gratitude. "Thank you."
"Mm... you're welcome!" Keira beamed.
Keira was an unassuming heiress with an average appearance and grades. She was usually quiet and well-behaved, occasionally standing up for justice but didn't draw much attention in class. Because of this, Lina had never really taken notice of her before. However, this time, Lina recognized all the ways Keira had supported her.
Taking a bite of the snack, Lina savored the mouthwatering Ejada cake, which melted in her mouth and enjoyed the refreshing sensation of the cold rose-flavored jelly. These simple treats provided her with comfort in her current state of mind.