Ch. 3401..3410

Chapter 3401 What Kind Of People Are They After returning to her room, Luca told Luke about the surgery that day.

She explained that she had not been able to participate in the operation and was uncertain if Abel would prevent her from being involved in the future. If she was not allowed to take part, she might lose her excuse to stay here. Also, she would not be able to help with what was to come.

Luke replied to her message quickly, assuring her that everything was already planned out and she did not need to worry.

Luca frowned slightly as she read his message. She wanted to ask about his plan but hesitated for a moment and decided against it. Knowing too much about Luke's men might backfire.

Luca deleted their chat history but soon received another message from him.

He told her that T Corporation had successfully won the bid and that he had already found someone to replace Lucius' role.

Luca let out a sigh of relief.

Finding a replacement for Lucius meant that he was out of danger for now. The worry that had been weighing on her these past few days vanished instantly. Feeling at case, Luca lay down on the bed and slept soundly for a while.

However, not long after she fell asleep, a sudden, urgent knock on the door woke her up. Luca opened her eyes. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Ms. Craw. They need your help downstairs." Gerald's voice came from outside.

Luca immediately got out of bed. Once she stepped out of her room, she followed him quickly downstairs. "What happened?"

"It seems a doctor made a mistake and something went wrong. I don't really understand the medical details, but that doctor got kicked out, and Mr. Shanks is furious," explained Gerald.

Luca frowned. "Mr. Shanks came out too?"

"Yes, he stormed out and lashed out at the boss. Basically, he was shouting about how lousy the doctor the boss hired was, saying he didn't know anything and only made things worse." Gerald was not familiar with medical jargon, but when it came to recounting the scene and mimicking Shanks' scolding, his descriptions were vivid and animated.

He had been genuinely shocked to see Shanks losing his temper like that.

Someone usually so composed tumed out to be quite ruthless when furious.

It was an eye-opener for him.

When Luca heard that Shanks had scolded Abel, she felt a pang of anxiety and quickened her расе.

"What was Abel's reaction?" asked Luca.

Cerald recalled the dark and humiliated expression on Abel's face, which made him want to laugh. It was the first time he had seen his usually arrogant boss left speechless by someone.

However, he dared not to laugh and simply answered, "His expression was awful. He didn't say a single word."

Luca did not expect things to escalate like this.

Abel took this surgery very seriously. It did not make sense for him to hire an ordinary doctor as an assistant for Shanks.

However, even a top-notch doctor had made a mistake.

Luca thought about what Luke had said about having everything arranged. Could this situation be part of his plan?

She was not sure yet and decided to wait until the matter at hand was resolved to think more about it.

She stepped into the yard.

Shanks said with dissatisfaction, "Took you long enough."

"I fell asleep." Luca knew he was in a foul mood after the operation had been disrupted, so she did not argue.

Shanks nodded, casting a glance at Abel before turning to Luca. "Sanitize and assist with the procedure."

"But..." Luca turned to look at Abel.

His expression was indeed dark with anger, and on the ground lay a doctor. It was obvious Abel had dealt him a heavy blow.

Luca glanced at the injured doctor, feeling a bit helpless. She could not afford to feel sorry for others. If she did not perform well, she might face the same fate.

"Do as you're told! Why all the questions?" Abel's voice was low and menacing, suffocating her.

At the thought of this, Luca could only nod before turning.

She washed her hands, sanitized herself, changed into surgical scrubs, and entered the medical vehicle.

Inside were Shanks and another ophthalmologist.

However, the ophthalmologist stood to the side, not daring to touch the equipment. He looked more like an observer than a professional.

Luca did not speak to him. She silently took over as the assistant, efficiently working with Shanks on the surgery.

The ophthalmologist, now reduced to acting as a surgical nurse, handed them the necessary instruments. He watched their seamless teamwork in awe.

Initially, he had assumed Luca was incompetent and had been dismissed to make way for them. Now, it was clear that this woman's skills were on par with theirs. She assisted Shanks with precision, perfectly in sync with him.

In just half an hour, they had corrected the mistakes made by the previous ophthalmologist. The other ophthalmologist could not help but mutter, "Impressive."

Ophthalmic surgeries required incredible precision, steady hands, and speed. Having worked in the field for over 20 years, the ophthalmologist had never seen such skill before. Shanks and Luca, however, ignored the praise. They were entirely focused on the surgery. Once they completed the transplant of one eyeball, they moved on to the other.

The ophthalmologist was stunned.

He had known from the start that this was an eyeball transplant procedure, but he had not believed that it could succeed.

He was not so sure about that now.

At least one eye had already been transplanted successfully. If no rejection or necrosis occurred later, even if the patient's vision was not restored, it would still be considered a success It was a groundbreaking achievement.

Such progress could benefit countless patients with eye conditions.

It would give them a more normal appearance, even if their sight could not be restored.

As this thought crossed his mind, the ophthalmologist looked at Shanks and then at Luca. What kind of people were they?

The intricate surgery continued from morning until late afternoon.

Even Hera was surprised to hear that Luca had been called in at the last minute to assist with the surgery.

Ignoring the oppressive heat, Hera followed them outside, eager to witness Luca being kicked off the medical vehicle by Shanks.

The thought of seeing Luca humiliated, scolded by Shanks, or even punished by Abel filled Hera with glee.

Hera fixated her gaze on the medical vehicle at the thought of this.

At 3:00 pm, the sun was blazing overhead. Abel and Hera huddled under a parasol, waiting for the outcome of the surgery.

Ten minutes later, the door of the medical vehicle swung open.

Luca stepped out.

Hera's heart leaped with excitement. After waiting so long, Luca was finally kicked out by Shanks!

Unable to contain herself, she sneered, "Some people just don't know their limits. Acting like a big shot, only to get thrown out. What a disgrace! You bragged so much, but in the end, you're nothing but a useless failure."

Abel's expression darkened as he assumed the same.

After all, Shanks had estimated the surgery would last until the evening.

It was only 3:00 pm.

Luca looked puzzled for a moment at Hera's mockery, but then she realized that Hera would not pass up any opportunity to ridicule her. Without saying a word, Luca glanced behind her.

Hera frowned. "What's this? Cat got your tongue.."

Before she could finish, Shanks stepped out of the vehicle, followed by another doctor.

She reckoned that the man behind Shanks was the ophthalmologist Gerald had mentioned earlier.

Chapter 3402 The Surgery Is A Success All three of them stepped out of the vehicle.

Hera realized that the surgery might already be over and could not wait to hear the results. Abel, equally eager, immediately asked as soon as he saw them, "Is the surgery finished?"

"Yes, the surgery was successful. The transplant was completed, and all the nerves we could connect have been repaired. Now, it's up to the follow-up treatment," answered Shanks.

The doctor who had been kicked out earlier stared in disbelief.

They actually succeeded in the transplant?

How was that even possible?

"Great, fantastic!" Abel let out a sigh of relief before bursting into laughter.

What had seemed impossible in modern medicine had achieved a different outcome in Shanks' hands.

Unlike others who might celebrate the medical breakthrough, Abel's joy came from a more personal place-Kassy would soon return to his side. His delight was unmistakable.

"T-This can't be!" muttered the dismissed doctor, who was still in shock. "A surgery this revolutionary is beyond current medical capabilities. It's impossible!"

Shanks' gaze turned icy as he looked at the doctor. "You thought it was impossible, so you tried to sabotage my surgery?"

The doctor lowered his head and said nothing.

Shanks continued, "The nerve you damaged took us half an hour to repair. Your deliberate sabotage nearly ruined the entire procedure."

He was furious.

Normally, Shanks would not bother with the politics or people involved in Abel's choices.

However, the so-called 'renowned ophthalmologist' Abel brought in had caused serious trouble today, and Shanks' patience had run out. The one thing Shanks could not tolerate was anyone sabotaging his research.

Turning his anger toward Abel, Shanks snapped, "The person you brought in nearly destroyed the culmination of my work-all because you stubbomly refused to let Luca assist me. Abel, my research is what I value most. You owe me an explanation for this."

Abel felt humiliated being called out in front of everyone.

However, knowing the significance of Shanks' groundbreaking achievement, he quickly suppressed his pride and shifted the blame onto the doctor.

"Don't worry, I'll give you an explanation," replied Abel. Then, he glared coldly at the doctor. "I paid you so much to bring you here. Today, you'd better have an explanation for me."

The doctor shuddered and glanced at his colleague for help. However, the other doctor quickly looked away, pretending not to notice. He was just as terrified and had no intention of stepping in to help.

Shanks was not interested in whatever Abel or the doctors had to say. His anger was still simmering. The surgery almost failed because of this, and he was not about to let this slide.

Whether it was Abel or the doctor, Shanks expected them to take responsibility.

"The patient must stay here for 24 hours. Once everything checks out, they can be transferred back," Shanks turned to Luca and instructed.

"Okay, Mr. Shanks." Luca nodded.

The doctor who had been removed from the procedure shuddered and quietly asked, "Um, can I leave now?"

He was directing the question to Luca.

Luca turned to look at Abel instead.

Abel pulled out a check and handed it to the doctor. "You'd better keep everything that happened today confidential. If I find out you leaked anything, don't blame me for not being nice. Do you understand?"

"Understood. Don't worry, I won't say a word." The ophthalmologist shuddered as he took the check. He glanced at the amount before quickly leaving, feeling satisfied.

"Wait for me," said the other doctor when he saw the ophthalmologist leaving, rushing to follow.

The doctor's plea was ignored, however.

Desperate, he turned to Abel. "Mr. Abel, I... I made a mistake. I was too short-sighted and didn't believe the surgery could succeed, so I tried to sabotage it. Please forgive me." "Forgive you?" Abel's tone was cold and menacing as he chuckled darkly. "Do you think it's that easy?"

Then, Abel raised his hand and slapped the doctor across the face.

The force was so strong that the weak doctor immediately spat out a mouthful of dark blood.

"Blood... Blood.." The doctor staggered back, struggling to stay upright.

Abel stepped forward, looking down at him. "Aren't you a doctor? Why are you so afraid of blood?"

"..." The doctor was at a loss for words.

"Are you a fake doctor?" Abel asked again.

The doctor replied quickly, "No! I'm a real doctor! I graduated from a top medical university and even studied abroad for a few years. You can check it all. I didn't lie to you. I have a good reputation in the field. Many of my patients have improved their vision after my treatment."

"Graduated from a reputable medical university, huh? Impressive, huh?" Abel's eyes darkened. "If you're so skilled, how did you manage to sabotage this surgery?"

The doctor stepped back, unsure how to explain. If he admitted that he had not wanted the surgery to succeed, would he be killed?

He believed that this surgery went against the principles of modern medicine. Animal trials had failed, so how could they perform such a procedure on a human? Was this not treating a person's life like a joke?

He could not allow such a surgery to succeed!

Hence, he intentionally tried to sabotage it, never expecting that Shanks would catch him as soon as he made a move.

Not only was he kicked out, but the surgery was a success!

The doctor felt like everything was surreal, almost like a dream. Still, the sharp pain on his face reminded him this was no dream.

The surgery was successful. No matter whether the patient would regain sight later, the eyeballs had been successfully transplanted.

"I just thought that this surgery was too reckless. It's irresponsible to the patient, and I didn't want to take responsibility for it...". The doctor struggled to speak. His face was swelling up so badly that his words were slurred.

Abel let out a cold sneer, his gaze colder than before.

"When you signed the agreement and took the deposit, you didn't say such words. Well, Dr. Lane, you're digging your own grave." His voice was icy, like a deathly specter.

The doctor trembled with regret, wishing he had not been so greedy when he agreed to the job.

"I can return the deposit!" he begged. "I won't tell anyone about the surgery you did today. Just let me go!"

The doctor was certain they would not kill him over this.

However, if he got beaten up, it would not be worth it either.

He was essentially practicing medicine without a license. If he reported everything to the police, it would ruin his own career. Hence, he would not go to the authorities. He was not willing to destroy his future.

The doctor now regretted his decision, wishing he had never gotten involved in this mess.

"Do you think I'm short on that little bit of money?" Abel said coldly. He had planned not to pursue any responsibility after the surgery, whether it succeeded or not, and even pay the doctors.

Unfortunately, there were always people who would push him to the point where he wanted to kill.

From a distance, Shanks' voice could be heard. "If you're going to handle it, take him away. Don't make a mess here."

Chapter 3403 Every Move Luke Makes Is A Risky One "Don't worry, it won't affect you in the slightest," said Abel.

The villa was bought under Shanks name.

So while it appeared to be the Island of Despair's property, it was, in fact, Shanks' personal asset.

Abel shot a glance at his subordinates, who stood beside him. Without hesitation, they grabbed the doctor and hauled him away.

As Hera watched the scene unfold, she felt a sudden pang of unease. She was well aware of Abel's methods. Punishment was never off the table.

However, seeing the way things were unfolding, Hera could not shake the feeling that Abel might actually take the doctor's life.

Still, they were in A City, a country with strict laws. Would Abel really go that far?

As Abel tumed to leave, Hera said almost nervously, "Darling..."

"I have some matters to take care of. Be good and stay here. Don't wander around, okay?" Abel's mood was apparently lifted by the successful surgery. His voice was unexpectedly gentle.

Hera's unease only deepened. She grabbed the sleeve of his coat. "Darling, are you leaving again? I'm so bored I could die! Why don't you take me with you? I promise I won't cause any trouble."

Abel pulled his arm free. He looked at her with a smile that was neither fully a smile nor a frown. "Trust me. You wouldn't want to see what I'm about to do."

A chill ran down Hera's spine.

She suddenly had a bad feeling.

Would Abel actually kill someone?

How could that be possible?

The thought of his hands stained with blood yet still touching her made Hera shudder uncontrollably.

Being touched by someone with blood on their hands was no good oren. She feared that her own blood might soon stain Abel's hands as well.

As she watched the doctor being dragged away, Abel left with a smile on his face. A wave of fear crept into her heart, and everything around her began to feel strangely surreal.

Abel's smile was laced with bloodthirsty cruelty.

As their figures disappeared from view, Hera turned to Luca.

Even though she was reluctant to speak to her, her curiosity got the better of her. "Do you think they'll kill that doctor?"

"If you're so curious, Ms. Sanchez, why don't you go and see for yourself?" Luca had a good idea of the fate awaiting the doctor but knew there was nothing she could do about it.

Besides, Luca had her suspicions. If Luke had planted someone among them, it certainly was not this doctor.

The person he chose would not be so clumsy. He would not have gotten slapped and coughed up blood from a hit, and neither would he have done such a blatant job of sabotaging the surgery.

No, anyone sent by Luke would be far more intelligent and discreet.

As Luca started toward the medical van, Hera's voice cut through the air. "Luca, what kind of attitude is that?"

Luca paused for a moment. Was her attitude really a problem?

"I asked you a question, and that's the answer you gave me?" Hera could not help but feel upset. She had hoped the surgery would fail, giving Abel an excuse to punish Luca. Instead, her plan had backfired. The surgery was a success.

Now, when Hera asked her a question, Luca still carried herself with that arrogant, untouchable attitude.

Hera could not stand it.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with my attitude." After that, Luca got into the van and shut the van door behind her.

After disinfecting her hands, she walked over to the volunteer.

Shanks had given clear instructions, and she was more than capable of handling it.

Hera was so furious that she wished she could storm in and drag Luca out by her collar. However, she remembered how much Abel cared about this patient. The thought stopped her in her tracks. She could not afford to cross Abel. If she did, she would be the one to face the consequences. It would not be Luca.

At the thought of this, Hera forced herself to hold back.

Inside the van, Luca finished her work with the volunteer and finally had a moment to send a message to Luke.

Through their exchange, she confirmed her suspicion.

Luke had planted someone on the inside. It turned out that the doctor who later assisted with the surgery was his operative.

Luca shook her head helplessly. It felt like a false sense of having survived a disaster. Every move Luke made was a risky one-from his earlier disguise to placing a doctor within their ranks.

Luca could not help but wonder what role that operative had played. It was surely something significant as it had enabled her to board the medical van.

Still, Luke had not elaborated, and Luca chose not to press him for answers.

After a brief exchange of messages, the volunteer began to wake up.

"Mmm..." He groaned softly as the effects of the anesthesia started to wear off.

Luca pocketed her phone, mindful that he still could not see. She wanted to ensure he felt safe and to let him know he was not alone in the enclosed space.

"You're awake?" asked Luca The volunteer recognized Luca's voice and, gritting his teeth through the pain, spoke up. Yes... Did the surgery succeed?"

His mind was still foggy from the general anesthesia, and it took him a moment to ask the most pressing question.

"The surgery was a success," replied Luca, "We've reconnected all the nerves. As long as we follow the prescribed treatment plan, your recovery should progress smoothly."

The volunteer's voice trembled with excitement. "Does that mean... I'll be able to see again?"

"Unless something unexpected happens, there's a high chance you'll regain your sight. Have faith in yourself and in Mr. Shanks, Luca reassured him and adjusted the IV drip.

The volunteer's excitement was palpable. "I believe in all of you. If it weren't for your help, wouldn't have regained my ability to walk or be on my way to a normal life. Thank you."

Luca stayed silent for a moment.

The volunteer added, "But... my eyes really hurt."

Luca explained, "That's normal. It's not just your eyes, right?"

"Yeah, my head hurts too." He instinctively raises a hand to touch his head before hesitating.

"It's okay. You'll feel better tomorrow. Don't worry. You'll be alright," comforted Luca. "The pain will subside gradually, and after four or five days, it won't be as noticeable. But you need to rest and stay in bed. No unnecessary movement, got it?"

"Yes." The volunteer was very obedient. His hand, which had been moving, instantly froze in place.

"Got it." The volunteer obediently stopped moving his hand immediately.

Luca added, "Good. Don't worry, you'll be fine. You can still move your hands. But if your eyes feel anything beyond pain-any strange sensations-you need to tell me right away. Don't try to tough it out."

Eyes were different from knees.

Reconstructing a complete skeletal structure with an artificial knee joint was a well- established procedure in modern medicine. However, the surgery they performed today was a first in medical history.

"Okay, I understand," replied the volunteer. His voice camed a hint of drowsiness. He yawned "The anesthesia hasn't fully worn off yet. Go ahead and get some more rest. If the pain becomes too much, just let me know, and I'll give you some painkillers," reminded Luca.

"Thank you, Ms. Craw," the volunteer said sincerely.

Over the course of his treatment, he had come to appreciate Luca's gentle and meticulous care. Although she was not the one taking care of him on a daily basis, every treatment she provided was gentle and meticulous.

Even though he could not see her, he could sense that Luca was a warm and beautiful person.

He could not wait for the day he could see her and find out if she looked as beautiful as he imagined.

"It's nothing. The treatment ahead will be more painful than what you endured for your knees. But you've made it this far. Don't give up now."

Facial and cranial nerves were far more intricate and sensitive than those in the legs.

Even without administering the next round of medication, Luca could already foresee the challenges and pain the volunteer would face.

Chapter 3404 Despite All The Challenges, They'll Never Give Up The volunteer did not mind. As long as it meant he could recover, he was willing to endure any pain. "It's okay. I can handle it."

Luca nodded.

The door to the vehicle opened, and a man stepped inside.

Due to the lack of sterilization, he did not dare approach the inner part of the vehicle. Instead, he placed several bottles of saline on the outside.

"This is the saline that Mr. Shanks prepared. He asked you to inject it when you can," the man relayed Shanks' message.

"Got it." Luca reached out to take the bottles. After thoroughly disinfecting them, she brought them inside.

It was more complicated than being in a hospital.

Since the volunteer's body was still weak. They had to maintain as sterile an environment as possible.

However, it still fell short of the ICU's standard.

Luca stayed with the volunteer until evening. Gerald stood outside the medical vehicle and called, " Ms. Craw, it's time for dinner."

Luca took off her protective gear and stepped outside.

"Ms. Craw, dinner is ready," said Gerald when he saw her coming out. She had not eaten during the surgery earlier, so she could not skip dinner.

"You made it?" Luca eyed the tray of food. It did not look very appetizing.

"Yes." Gerald noticed her distaste. "I made some for Mr. Shanks and Ms. Sanchez too, but they weren't impressed either."

Shanks and Hera had grown accustomed to more refined meals, so when Gerald brought them their food, they made faces as if they were served something unappetizing.

There was nothing Gerald could do about it. His cooking skills were limited, and as long as it was not burned, he considered it a success.

Luca nodded. "I'm not impressed either."

Gerald did not expect her to be so blunt. "Ms. Craw, I know the taste isn't great, but it's better than nothing."

"Do you have instant noodles?" asked Luca. She had no desire to even try a bite of the food he made.

"We do." Gerald understood that she did not want to eat the food he prepared. "How about I make you a bowl of instant noodles?"

"Sure," replied Luca.

Gerald left with the tray and returned shortly with a bowl of instant noodles. "Here, Ms. Craw. Instant noodles."

"Thanks," replied Luca as she took the bowl and sat down to eat them while they were still hot. Gerald sat next to her, looking at the medical vehicle. "How's the person inside doing?"

"Everything's normal," replied Luca.

Gerald added, "That's pretty amazing."

Luca knew he was referring to the surgery they had just done.

She did not say anything and continued to eat.

"Dr. Craw, do you think he'll really be able to see?" Gerald sounded almost skeptical.

"Probably." Luca thought that if the volunteer could not regain his sight, Shanks' research during this time would be in vain.

Whenever Shanks conducted research, he was always confident that he had at least a 90% chance of success before he would proceed. Unlike other medical professionals who believed anything was possible, Shanks would not conduct research unless he was almost certain of the outcome.

Gerald listened to Luca's words and could not help but hiss and comment, "That's just unbelievable."

Luca finished her instant noodles, handed the empty bowl to him, and returned to the vehicle.

"Ms. Craw, are you going to rest in the vehicle tonight?" asked Gerald.

"Yes, his condition requires personal care." Luca did not mind. With Luke not around, it did not matter where she rested.

She entered the medical vehicle, disinfected herself, and then sat down next to the volunteer.

The volunteer smiled and asked, "Ms. Craw, have you had dinner?"

"Yes, I've eaten." Luca glanced at the saline bottles. Seeing that one was nearly empty, she began preparing a new one.

"Uh, I'm a little thirsty. Can I have some water?" asked the volunteer.

"Your current condition doesn't allow you to drink water. Please wait for another two hours," replied Luca after glancing at the time. After undergoing general anesthesia, he couldn't consume water or food yet.

"Alright." The volunteer fell silent.

Just then, Luca's phone rang with the sound of a notification. She picked it up and saw that it was a message from Luke.

He told her he had returned to the villa in X city. She could come visit him whenever she had time. Luca was surprised. T Corporation had just acquired an important project, and yet he had not gone back to the company to oversee things but was staying here?

Luca replied: [I should be able to come over tomorrow afternoon.] It had been a few days since they last saw each other, and she missed him dearly.

The volunteer, sensing the silence, spoke up again, "Ms. Craw."

"Yes?" replied Luca.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" asked the volunteer.

Luca let out a soft chuckle. "No."

"Really? I thought you and Mr. Shanks were a couple." The volunteer was a little surprised.

Luca was rendered speechless.

How did he have that impression?

"Mr. Shanks is my teacher," explained Luca.

"Ah, sorry! Whenever you two treat me together, you seem so in sync, so I thought you were a couple. Looks like I made a big mistake," said the volunteer.

Luca just said nothing.

They had not treated him together that many times. Where did he get such an idea? Could it be that someone had been spreading rumors in front of him?

"Ah, so you're teacher and student. That makes sense. You two do seem to have a great rapport," added the volunteer.

Luca just hummed in acknowledgment.

Then, he exclaimed, "I thought Mr. Shanks was really young. I didn't realize he was your teacher."

Luca realized he had misunderstood.

Since the volunteer could not see, he did not know Shanks' age, so it was understandable that he might think that way.

Luca explained, "Actually, Mr. Shanks is quite young. He's a genius."

"A genius, huh?" The volunteer quickly understood. "No wonder all the doctors said it wasn't possible but he said it was, and now, my legs are almost healed... He really is a genius."

He paused for a moment before speaking again, "Ms. Craw, Mr. Shanks is such an outstanding person. You're single, so maybe you could consider him?"

Luca was at a loss for words. Here she was, tending to a patient, and now, he was trying to play matchmaker?

She explained, "Well, I don't have a boyfriend, but I do have a husband, and I also have children."

The volunteer realized his mistake and quickly laughed awkwardly, apologizing, "Oh, sorry. I didn't know."

"It's fine." Luca did not hold it against him.

She was single on the Island of Despair. However, in reality, she was married with four children. The thought of possibly seeing Luke tomorrow afternoon filled her with anticipation.

"Your voice sounds so young. I didn't expect you to be married so soon," the volunteer rambled on. When he did not speak, his attention would be focused on the pain in his eyes and head. In moments like those, the pain felt amplified, so he tried to distract himself by talking.

Luca smiled. She was quite young when she gave birth for the first time.

As she thought back on all these years of twists and turns, it turned out that the person she had once admired from afar had actually been secretly in love with her too. She eventually ended up with him.

Luca felt like her journey was something out of a dream.

Fortunately, despite all the challenges they faced, she and Luke had never given up on each other.

Chapter 3405 I'm The Only One Holding On As Luca thought about it, she heard the volunteer exclaim, "With a wife like you, your husband must be so lucky and blessed."

Luca shook her head. To her, being cherished by Luke was a real blessing.

"You've got it wrong. He's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Luca had often wondered what her life would have been like without Luke.

Perhaps she would have married Jean, only to watch his true nature slowly reveal itself. She would have struggled, eventually unable to endure it, and maybe even ended up divorced.

It could be something worse. She might have been taken advantage of, lost all hope, and spiraled downward... Anything was possible.

However, Luca knew that no matter what happened, life would not be as good as it was now without Luke. Though she remained under someone else's control, and life on the Island of Despair was fraught with hardship, with Luke by her side, she felt an unshakable courage.

A light laugh from the volunteer interrupted her thoughts.

Luca then heard the volunteer say, "That's not entirely true. You see him as the best thing that's ever happened to you, but you might not realize that you're his blessing too. Marriage is about mutual support, and the fact that you two met each other is a great fortune."

Luca could not help but feel curious when she heard his heartfelt words. "You seem pretty moved by this. Did something happen to you back in the day?"

"Ms. Craw, how are you so smart?" The volunteer could not help but let out a sigh.

"I once had a very deep relationship."

Luca did not press further.

Even though the volunteer had not said more, she could already guess it was a sad story.

She was not the type to pry into other people's painful memories.

The volunteer, noticing her silence, realized she did not want to dig into his past. However, since he had already started, he decided to share his story anyway.

"When I was in school, I had a crush on a girl in my class. She wasn't what you'd call conventionally pretty, but when she smiled, she had the most adorable dimples. I remember wondering how someone could be so cute. I couldn't help but be drawn to her. Back then, people were simpler and more innocent. After I confessed my feelings to her, she blushed and ran off.

"I thought my feelings for her would fade away without anything happening, but then she came back and told me she liked me too. So, we started dating. Back in those days, if you started a relationship early, it would last a long time. I made up my mind to marry her. After all, the chances of finding someone who feels the same way are so rare. I treasured that love deeply. But, of course, good things didn't last long..."

The volunteer let out a deep sigh before continuing, "We thought that when I was old enough, we'd get married. But her parents didn't approve of me. They tried every way to break us apart, and eventually, they sent her overseas to study.

"On the day she boarded the plane, I couldn't make it in time. By the time I reached the airport, her flight had already departed. I swore to myself that I would wait for her return, regardless of whether she would change her mind. However, I never saw her again. Instead, I learned that she had married someone abroad-a white man, with whom she had two children..."

As the volunteer finished his story, there was a faint smile on his lips, but his tone was filled with melancholy.

"In the end, I was the only one who kept holding on."

Luca was stunned for a moment.

She recalled when the volunteer had first arrived here. There had been a large group of people waiting outside for him.

Many seemed to be his relatives, but none of them appeared to be a significant other.

Carefully, Luca asked, "So, you never got married in the end?"

"I never married. All these years have passed, and her children with that man have grown up. I still haven't been able to let go. I figured, if I can't move on, then so be it. I'll stay single. Having a woman in my heart means I'd only end up burting another kind-hearted woman." The volunteer paused for a moment.

"My family kept urging me at first. They said that someone my age shouldn't stay single and that if I was worried about hurting someone else, I should marry a divorced woman and at least live a decent life together. I was reluctant to do so. Even if it was a second marriage, she still had the right to pursue happiness, right? I told them to drop it. Then, I had an accident while working, and from that point on, the pressure to get married finally stopped."

The volunteer added, "Initially, I really felt like I had been set free. There's no more nagging. But being blind and disabled wasn't any kind of freedom. Relying on others for everything feels terrible. To be honest, there were so many times I thought about ending it all. I considered drinking pesticides or taking sleeping pills. But I was blind and crippled. I didn't even have the ability to get my hands on those things. I couldn't even take my own life if I wanted to.

"Now, you and Mr. Shanks have given me a new chance at life. You're both my saviors."

By the end, the volunteer spoke with endless gratitude toward Luca and Shanks.

If it were not for them, his remaining decades would have likely been filled with endless suffering.

Even though his vision had not returned, at least he could walk now. With that, he could do so much more.

Luca was deeply moved as she listened to him.

She was not reflecting on how she and Shanks had saved his life.

Instead, she was struck by the thought that love comes in countless forms, and not all of them have happy endings.

The man before her was only in his early forties, yet he seemed to have experienced a lifetime of hardship.

Love, she realized, could be both beautiful and bitter.

She and Luke had faced their own share of bitterness and trials, enduring even multiple separations.

When this crisis was resolved, she vowed to cherish the days they had together.

She dreamed of a future where their family could live in harmony, reunited and happy.

The volunteer, not hearing a response from Luca, assumed she was not interested in his story. He chuckled awkwardly. "Look at me, rambling again."

"No, not at all. I was just moved by your story," replied Luca.

Before listening to the volunteer's story, Luca had also assumed he was single.

However, she figured it was more likely due to a divorce. After all, with injuries as severe as his, many people would choose to leave.

Most people, she thought, were willing to share the good times but not the hardships.

She never expected his story to be like this.

It was more heartbreaking than many others.

"My story's nothing special. It's old news. It's all over twenty years ago," the volunteer said with a smile.

As Luca looked at his smile, she could see traces of lingering pain that were impossible to fully let go. The volunteer added, "People often tell me that it has been so many years, and she's never coming back. Why can't you let it go? I'm just stubborn. I don't know how to let go. Over the years, I've often wondered what my life would be like now if I hadn't noticed her back then or if I hadn't confessed my feelings.

"Maybe things would've been better. If I had focused on my studies back then, I might've gotten into a decent college or university. I wouldn't have ended up working in a factory but in an office instead. None of the things that happened afterward would have occurred, and I wouldn't be in this situation. Or, if I hadn't started dating her so early and had focused on my studies instead, I could've waited until I got into college to confess my feelings. That way, it wouldn't have affected her education, and her family wouldn't have stopped us because of my low education level..."

Chapter 3406 Do You Regret It As Luca listened to his tone that was full of regret, she felt a slight pang in her heart.

She recalled when she had a child and continued pursuing her education. If she had given up on herself back then, perhaps she and Luke would not find themselves here today.

Luca felt she was much more fortunate than the volunteer. Even though she loved her father, she also understood the importance of education and did not let her father's illness cause her to give up.

She was also fortunate to have a father who supported her education.

At the thought of this, Luca could not help but ask, "Do you regret it?"

"No, I don't regret it," the volunteer smiled. "Actually, I always look at it in a positive light. Back then, several boys in my class liked her. If I hadn't confessed, she might have become someone else's girlfriend. If there's anything I regret over the years, it's that I was too selfish and it affected her studies.

"I never thought that being in a relationship at a young age would affect studies. A couple can date and study at the same time, it doesn't have to waste anyone's education. She pushed me to study well, but I didn't listen... I foolishly thought that even if I didn't study, I could still give her a good future with my efforts. Everything I have now is mocking the naive and reckless person I was back then.

"In the early years, I didn't understand why her parents opposed us being together. I even hated them for tearing us apart. But as my life and work became harder, I realized they made the right choice.

"She's a good girl and deserves better, so I shouldn't have held her back."

By the end of his story, Luca let out a heavy sigh.

What a heartbreaking story.

It had stretched from his youth into his middle age.

In the end, all that remained was an endless sense of regret.

Luca did not know what the man in front of her would do after his recovery, but it seemed there would never be another chance with the woman in his heart.

There was no longer even the slightest connection between them.

He had once loved that girl so much, but now, she had become someone else's wife and someone else's mother. They were no longer in contact.

"Did you two ever get in touch again?" asked Luca.

"We kept in touch at first. But when I found out she was getting married, I cut off all contact. She told me that I was still the one she loved the most, but after spending those years abroad, she realized the gap between us. She said it was impossible for things to go back to how they were. Even if I threw caution to the wind and went abroad to try and win her back, it wouldn't work either. At that point, I knew-this girl would stay in my heart forever, and I could never touch her again. So, I changed my phone, switched all my contact information, even cut ties with old classmates. That way, she couldn't find me, and I couldn't find her either." He recalled what happened later without regret.

"Actually, I think this is for the best. If we'd kept in touch, I'd still have hope, thinking maybe I'd run overseas and do something immoral. But now, it's just right."

Luca smiled.

The volunteer yawned. "Ms. Craw, I think I'm a little tired."

"Get some rest. We'll rest in the medical vehicle tonight, and tomorrow we can get you back to your room." Luca glanced at the time. It was already past ten in the evening. She had not realized just how much time had passed as they talked.

"When my eyesight comes back, I'm going to take a good look at this little yard," he mumbled.

Luca listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing and gently slowed down the IV drip. She took out her phone, and pondered for a moment before sending a message to Luke: [Luke, do you regret being with me?] A few seconds after sending it, Luke's call came through.

Luca stepped out of the medical vehicle, hiding in a corner to make sure no one was around before answering. "Yes?"

"Why are you asking something like that all of a sudden?" Luke's voice was deep, like the cool breeze of the night, brushing against her and clearing away the regrets that had lingered in her heart from hearing the story.

"I heard a rather heartbreaking story today. We've known each other since high school, so I'm curious. Do you regret it?" asked Luca.

Perhaps Luke's life would have been better without her.

"No, I don't regret it." Luke's voice was gentle and warm. "Luca, I noticed you back in high school. My feelings for you began right then, so I don't regret it. You're not allowed to regret it either, and don't overthink it. Other people's stories are theirs, ours is ours. We're not like any other couple in this world. So don't think too much about it. If you have to think, just think about this-I love you. I've always loved you and never regretted it."

His words flowed into her heart like a thousand streams of warmth, wrapping her in a gentle embrace.

It was a warmth that filled her, deep and comforting.

Luca felt a deep sense of gratitude, and a smile unconsciously spread across her lips.

"I love you too." She could not say much, so she kept it simple, expressing that she felt the same way.

After the call, Luca returned to the medical vehicle, sanitized herself, and went inside. The volunteer was already deeply asleep.

She glanced at the monitoring equipment and did a simple check on him.

"Ms. Craw, what's going on?" The volunteer, still groggy from sleep, was roused by her movements as she checked on him.

"It's nothing. I'm just checking on you. Go back to sleep." Luca was only being cautious. After all, he had just had a major surgery, so she had to be extra careful.

The volunteer did not say anything more and fell back asleep.

On the other hand.

Luke hung up his phone.

Gordan rubbed his arms, feeling goosebumps, and shuddered. "My god, bro, you actually say that kind of disgusting stuff."

"Disgusting?" Luke replied nonchalantly. "That's sweet talk. A single guy like you wouldn't understand."

"I don't understand. Even with countless women around me, I'd never say something like that. Gross." Gordan clearly stated that he would never say such things, as he could not do something so gross.

Luke glanced at him with deep eyes, then said calmly, "I heard from Ray that Vivian will be going back home for the summer break."

"Why are you bringing her up?" Gordan shrugged dismissively, a look of indifference crossing his face.

Yet, when Vivian's name was mentioned, a hint of irritation flashed across his face.

"I need to make sure you won't go to Russia. I need you here to help me," replied Luke. "What do you mean? Do you think I'd go to Russia because of her? I'm telling you, if I go to Russia, it'll be to help you and your wife to get rid of the Island of Despair. It won't be because of that woman." Gordan's tone became sharper.

It seemed like he was trying to convince both himself and Luke.

Luke nodded. There was a smile on his lips as he picked up a bottle of wine beside him and poured Gordan a glass.

Gordan took the glass and swirled it. He was about to speak when he caught a glimpse of the mocking smile on Luke's lips and immediately felt irritated.

"You don't believe what I'm saying?" asked Gordan.

Compared to his friend's flustered outburst, Luke remained remarkably calm. "Does it really matter if I believe you or not? You're going to Russia sooner or later. Who you're going for doesn't matter. What matters is whether you can help me."

Chapter 3407 Gordan Freezes At The Thought Of Falling In Love With Him "Anyway, I'm saying it here-I'm not going to Russia because of that ugly woman, Vivian. If I go to Russia, it's for you. I've already divorced her. Besides, I'm already trying to avoid her, how could I possibly go to Russia for her?" Gordan took a sip of red wine, then continued his rant. "And, Ray is still in Russia. I really can't go. His men are all brutal, and I've had enough of being beaten all these years."

"Then why did you buy an apartment in Vivian's neighborhood?" Luke continued to tease him. His sharp eyes glinted with intelligence.

Gordan denied it, but whether he believed it or not was his own business.

"It was just a coincidence!" Gordan raised his voice, trying to convince Luke.

Or maybe himself.

"Coincidence?" Luke sipped his wine, every gesture as graceful as a nobleman.

"Of course, it's a coincidence, Brother Luke. You wouldn't know, but that apartment is in a school district, surrounded by college towns. There are a ton of hotties there, I picked the place just to check them out. Didn't know it'd turn out to be such a disaster," explained Gordan.

Luke put on a faint smile without saying a word.

Gordan saw the expression on his face. It was almost as if he was saying, "Do you really expect me to believe that?"

He smirked and eventually said nothing.

The more he explained, the more ridiculous it sounded.

Gordan gulped down a large mouthful of wine.

Luke glanced at him and mocked, "How can you taste good wine if you drink like that?" Gordan raised an eyebrow. "Hey, you're wrong. What's the point of wine if not to drink it?"

At that moment, Gale walked in. He retorted when he heard what Gordan said, "Wine is for drinking, but good wine is for savoring, not for drowning your sorrows."

"Get lost. What do I have to be sad about?" Gordan snapped, "I'm fine, no sorrow, no hatred. My mood is calm."

"Miss Vivian has gone back to Russia." Gale sat down on another couch. "You won't be able to see her for two months."

"Go away. Why bring her up?" Gordan was annoyed. It was one thing for Luke to bring her up, but now Gale was doing it too.

Why did they keep talking about her in front of him?

Did Vivian give them something in return? Was that why they kept bringing her up like a chant in front of him?

Gordan was starting to feel frustrated.

Gale shrugged his shoulders indifferently, clearly knowing Gordan would get upset. He poured himself a glass of wine, took a sip, and then said, "Boss, that doctor has been taken care of by Abel."

"Okay." Luke's eyes flickered.

"I had a chance to save him, but the doctor wasn't too bright. If he hadn't threatened Abel, he might have survived. But knowing he was in danger, he called the cops and screamed for help, not even giving me a chance to save him," Gale said flatly.

He had gone to see how Abel would deal with the doctor.

He planned to save him if possible, but some things just could not be forced.

Besides, he could not take the risk of being exposed just to save one person.

It appeared on the surface that they were going to save Luca and their boss's daughter. In reality, dealing with the Island of Despair meant saving thousands of lives.

Therefore, Gale could not afford to expose himself just for that doctor.

The truth was, getting involved with people like Abel was already walking on thin ice. He had agreed to help for the sake of profit, but now he was the one who had put himself in danger...

Gale took a sip of wine.

"There's nothing we could do," Gordan chimed in. "Some people would do something like that just for money..."

If the doctor had not done what he did for money, he would not have ended up in this situation.

Luke asked, "Did you preserve the evidence?"

"It's all preserved. Abel practically gave me the chance. He did it himself. By the end, I was shocked." Gale was rendered speechless. These kinds of tasks were usually given to subordinates.

However, Abel was different. He seemed to enjoy torturing people. Not only did he spend hours tormenting the doctor, but he also took matters into his own hands...

"It's ridiculous. No wonder people in the underworld call him a freak. He's indeed a freak. He gets excited seeing others covered in blood..."

Gordan snorted. "I wonder if he'd be just as excited seeing himself covered 1 blood."

"Who knows?" Gale let out a yawn.

Luke said, "Get some rest if you're tired."

"Yes, boss. I'm going to rest now." Gale stood up. They were all staying here for the time being.

He yawned as he headed upstairs. Watching Abel torture that doctor had been tiring enough to make him feel exhausted himself.

When he initially saw Abel's brutal methods, he was impressed by how ruthless he was.

By the end, though, it just seemed boring.

"Brother Luke, it's not fair! Why didn't you ask me to sleep?" asked Gordan.

"Are you three years old?" Luke suddenly asked.

"No." Gordan shook his head, confused about the question.

"Then why would you want me to tell you to go to bed? If you're tired, can't you just go rest on your own?" questioned Luke.

Gordan gave him a thumbs-up and thought that Luke's reasoning made sense.

However, he then glanced toward Gale, who had disappeared around the corner of the stairs, and pointed in that direction. "He's an adult. You told him to rest."

"Why are you, a grown man, concerned with such things?" Luke's face darkened. Anyone who did not know better might think Gordan was jealous.

"I just feel like you've been ignoring me, Brother Luke." Gordan looked aggrieved.

Luke darkened his expression. "When have I ever been nice to you?"

Gordan was speechless.

That was true. Even though they were good brothers, they usually just teased each other. Of course, Luke tended to be the one who did more of the teasing.

Gordan did not mind. He knew it was all in good fun.

They were good brothers, after all, and that meant having fun together.

That was why it did not matter.

Luke finished the last sip of wine in his glass, rose to his feet, and said, "I'm going to bed.

You should get some sleep too."

"Boss, I knew you cared about me the most!" Gordan grinned mischievously, deliberately speaking in a tone full of emotion.

"Stop grossing me out," replied Luke with a cold expression on his face.

Gordan wiped the mischievous smile off his face, feeling dissatisfied. "Come on, don't be so serious all the time. You should joke around with the brothers once in a while. It helps strengthen the bond between us."

"Forget it." Luke rejected firmly. The look on his face was strange. "I'm worried people might start questioning your sexual orientation, or even start speculating about your relationship with me."

There was a time when he stayed single, waiting for Bianca, and people started spreading rumors that he was into men.

Even after having two kids, they still doubted his orientation, even claiming that Lanie and Rainie were just tools he used to hide his true preferences.

Luke was speechless beyond measure.

"Pfft, I'm straight, okay?!" Gordan immediately froze. Falling in love with Luke?

Chapter 3408 If He Were A Woman, He'd Be Utterly Captivated Gordan was puzzled. At most, it was just brotherly camaraderie. After all, they had been through thick and thin together. Their bond might be stronger than usual, but falling in love? That was a bit of a stretch.

Luke said, "The way you acted just now, doesn't really seem 'straight' to me. Also, if you're into women, maybe you should consider finding one. Otherwise, if you're always single, people might start misinterpreting your feelings for me."

"Luke, actually, you're not bad at all. In fact, you're probably better than a lot of women," Gordan replied with a sly grin.

As a man himself, he honestly thought Luke was a great guy.

If he were a woman, he would be utterly captivated by him.

"Shut up!" Luke knew he was joking, but he still felt a chill run down his spine.

He seriously worried that Gordan might do something inappropriate when he turned his back on him.

Shivering from the thought, Luke put down his glass and headed upstairs.

Gordan let out a deep sigh.

The night was as cold as water, lonely and dull.

He set his glass aside and picked up the half bottle of liquor, sipping it slowly.

For some reason, his mind wandered back to Vivian.

"Damn it!" Gordan muttered helplessly, trying to numb himself with alcohol.

Luca was at the small villa and leaning back in her chair with her eyes closed. When she heard noises from outside, she opened her eyes, glanced at her phone, and checked the time.

It was already morning.

The medical van was sealed off, and the air inside was circulated by the air conditioning system. If she did not check the time, it was hard to tell whether it was day or night.

She sat up straight and checked the monitoring equipment.

All the readings were normal.

Her hand rested on the volunteer's pulse.

It was also normal.

"Wake up," Luca called to him.

The volunteer slowly regained consciousness. He woke up suddenly in the middle of the night, feeling a sharp pain at the incision site that kept him from sleeping. Luca had given him a painkiller.

Under its effect, he managed to sleep soundly for the rest of the night.

"Ms. Craw, thank you for all your hard work," said the volunteer.

Even though he did not fully understand the environment inside the medical van, he knew it was small, with just a surgical bed.

Luca had stayed up all night watching over him, and he appreciated it.

"No need to mention it. How do you feel now?" asked Luca.

"I feel much better, and there's no pain like yesterday. You really are a miracle worker," marveled the volunteer. The swelling and discomfort he felt yesterday had completely disappeared, and now he felt great overall.

Luca smiled. The title of miracle worker had nothing to do with her. It was all Shanks' work.

"Alright, I'll have you move upstairs soon. Lie down for now, I'll go find someone," replied Luca.

She left the medical van to confirm with Shanks about moving the man back to his room. Once that was settled, she had Gerald gather a few people to help carry the stretcher and transfer him.

Then, it was a series of injections and medications.

After finishing everything, it was already noon.

Luca checked the time and asked Shanks for the afternoon off. "Mr. Shanks, may I take the afternoon off? I have something to attend to."

She did not specify what the matter was, and she knew Shanks would not pry. He would either approve or not.

Shanks pondered for a moment before nodding. "Alright, but you'll need to have Gerald keep an eye on the infusion and medication."

"Okay," replied Luca. After leaving the lab, she found Gerald.

He was practicing boxing.

Luca could tell right away that this set of punches was something Luke had taught him.

All boxing techniques were the same, but each person's style was different.

Luca, being so familiar with Luke, could instantly tell from the way Gerald was punching that it was his style.

"Gerald," Luca called out.

Gerald stopped and excitedly asked, "Ms. Craw, how's my boxing? It's a set that Lucius taught me."

"Not bad," replied Luca, not wanting to focus on the boxing topic. "I need to ask you for a favor."

"What is it?" Gerald beamed with pride, happy to be complimented.

"I'll be stepping out for a while this afternoon. Can you keep an eye on the volunteer? Make sure the infusions stay up, and when it's time, just replace them," explained Luca.

"Got it. No problem, I've been trained for this." While Gerald was not a medical expert, he had long been taught how to handle infusions.

"Thanks." Luca was worried he might refuse, but he agreed without hesitation.

"Not a big deal. By the way, Ms. Craw, why are you suddenly stepping out?" Gerald asked with a hint of cunning in his tone. "Are you going on a date?"

"What nonsense." Luca purposely pulled a serious face.

"Is that not it? Are you going to meet Lucius at one of the hideouts?" Gerald asked again.

"I don't know, and if you keep talking, I'll sew your mouth shut with a needle." Luca walked into the kitchen.

Even though she was heading to find Luke later, she planned to have lunch first.

Gerald saw her enter the kitchen. He knew he would not be having instant noodles for lunch and cheerfully resumed his boxing practice.

Meanwhile, Luca's plans to leave the small villa in the afternoon were overheard by Hera, who had been standing around the corner.

She also heard Gerald's question about whether Luca was going to meet Lucius.

Although Luca denied it, Hera could not shake the feeling that Luca was indeed headed to meet Lucius. At the thought of this, she quickly walked up to Gerald.

Gerald did not notice her approach and threw a punch, narrowly missing Hera's face.

"Ah!" Hera screamed. She was startled as she had approached from behind and had not expected his punch to swing directly in front of her.

Gerald quickly pulled back. His back broke out in a cold sweat.

Fortunately, his reflexes were fast, and he stopped the punch in time. If he had not, things could have gotten ugly.

"Ms. Sanchez, how did you sneak up on me?" Gerald wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Gerald could not help but imagine what would have happened if he had accidentally hit Hera.

With her spoiled attitude, he would definitely be in trouble.

"What, is this your house now? Am I not allowed to leave?" Hera started behaving indulgently, making Gerald quickly shake his head in denial.

"No, no, it's just that I wasn't paying attention. If I hurt you, I'd be the one in trouble,"

explained Gerald.

"Then why are you practicing your boxing in the living room? You have a training space, but you insist on practicing here where people come and go. Do you want everyone to accommodate you? What kind of attitude is that?" Hera shot back.

"Right, right. My mistake," muttered Gerald, accepting the scolding.

However, anyone with common sense would know that when someone was practicing, they typically avoided walking behind them to prevent accidents.

Was Hera not asking for trouble? Gerald felt a bit resentful and even annoyed but dared not to say anything.

As for why he did not head to the training ground to practice his punches, it was because those men would just mock him as a weakling.

If he showed up, they would inevitably challenge him.

They were hell-bent on taking him down.

Gerald was not the type to enjoy being beaten up, so of course, he avoided it. Plus, constantly getting beaten made it impossible for him to practice the moves Lucius had taught him properly.

Moreover, although he had learned some martial arts from Lucius, he was still a beginner. His strength and skills were lacking, and in his current state, he was too weak to stand a chance against those men.

Chapter 3409 He's Really Scared Hera let out a cold sneer, feeling that Gerald's apology was not sincere.

Hera did not want to press the issue at the moment. She gave him a sharp look. "Come with me."

Gerald knew that Hera was up to something again. If it were a normal order, she would have just said it in the living room.

Whenever she called him aside, it meant whatever she had to say could not be overheard by others.

Reluctantly, Gerald followed her out.

It was midday, and as soon as Hera stepped out of the living room, a wave of heat hit her face.

The intense warmth made her feel uncomfortable.

Hera got straight to the point, turning to Gerald. "What did Luca say to you just now?"

"She just asked me to help keep an eye on the volunteer," Gerald answered honestly. This was not something that needed to be kept secret.

Hera frowned. "Is she going out"

Gerald hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to say anything.

"I'm talking to you, not the wall. Are you mute?" Hera threatened. "If you lie to me, I'll tell your boss you're bullying me."

Gerald's expression grew frantic. "Ms. Sanchez, please, if the boss believes you, I'm done for."

"Scared? Then tell me what's going on! And don't think I'm joking when I say bullying. It's not the kind of bullying you think it is. It's more like..." Hera tugged at her clothes, emphasizing her point.

Gerald stepped back in fear, turning his head away. "Yes, Ms. Craw is going out."

"Where's she going?" asked Hera.

"She didn't say, I don't know," replied Gerald, still too afraid to look at her. The scene before him was too tempting, and he feared that if he looked even once, Abel would have his eyes removed.

He remembered what he had heard yesterday when the man who had dragged the doctor away told him about it.

The doctor had been tortured by the boss for hours, and still, he had the nerve to threaten him.

Now the man was dead, dumped into the sea.

Despite being a wanted fugitive, Gerald valued his life.

He did not want to end up crippled or worse-dead.

Hera was not satisfied with the answer. "So, you're saying you're not going to tell me?"

"Ms. Sanchez, I don't have a reason to hide anything from you. She didn't tell me, so what could I say?" Gerald was at his wit's end. He knew she was not happy, but he could not just make up a lie.

If Hera found out he was lying later, he would be in even bigger trouble.

"Hmph, useless!" curses Hera. Then, she kicked him in the leg.

Gerald staggered and almost fell.

He barely managed to steady himself.

Hera let out a cold scoff and warned, "If I find out you're lying to me, you're not going to like the consequences."

After saying that, Hera turned and walked back into the living room.

Gerald heaved a sigh. His life was truly miserable.

His thoughts drifted to Luca, who was in the kitchen preparing lunch. He felt torn between two choices, as though two little devils were waging war in his mind.

Should he tell Luca?

After standing there, lost in thought for more than ten minutes, Gerald made up his mind and walked straight into the kitchen.

"Ms. Craw, let me help," said Gerald.

Luca shook her head. "No need. I'm almost done."

"Actually, there's something I need to tell you. Earlier, when you asked me to keep an eye on the volunteers, Ms. Sanchez overheard us. She asked me if you were going out, and if so, who you'd be meeting. I didn't want to hide anything, so I told her you'd be going out, but I didn't know who you'd be meeting. I think she's just jealous of Lucius, so you'd better be careful."

Luca was surprised. She had not expected Hera, who had calmed down for a couple of days, to stir up trouble again.

Although she was not going to meet Lucius, she was meeting Luke.

If Hera saw her meeting with him, it could cause trouble.

At the thought of this, Luca decided she needed to be extra careful when she went out later.

If Hera followed her, she would have to find a way to shake her off.

"Alright, I understand. Thank you," Luca thanked him.

Although Hera was not exactly a professional stalker, Luca knew she would easily spot her if she followed.

Still, what if Hera managed to sneak up on her?

What if she missed something and Hera caught on in her rush to meet Luke?

That would be a problem.

Gerald had really done her a big favor.

"Is there anything you need me to buy for you?" Luca did not like owing favors. Since Gerald had not been able to go out lately, she figured he must be missing some things.

Even though online shopping was convenient, not everything could be bought that way. She thought she might as well help him out while she was at it.

"Yes!" Gerald's eyes lit up. "But there's a lot of stuff."

"No problem. I'll get it for you when I come back," replied Luca.

"Great! I'll make a list. Thank you so much, Ms. Craw!" Gerald headed off to prepare the list excitedly.

Luca sent a quick message to Luke, informing him that Hera had been keeping an eye on her and that she might be delayed by ten minutes or so. She assured him not to worry.

It seemed like Luke had been waiting for her message. He quickly replied, telling her that he understood.

After lunch, Luca checked on the volunteers and gave Gerald instructions on what to do before she left.

When Hera saw Luca leave, her eyes darkened, and she quietly followed her.

Gerald, who had been keeping an eye on Hera, noticed her leaving right after Luca and quickly texted her: [Ms. Sanchez is following you.] Luca saw the message from Gerald and realized Hera was indeed trailing behind her.

Her eyes narrowed. Fortunately, she had been to X City several times before, and with her experience helping to repair the ancestral hall during the New Year, she was familiar with the area and its surroundings.

Luca was confident that she could easily shake off Hera.

She hailed a taxi and told the driver her destination.

It had not been long after the driver started the car when Luca noticed that Hera had also hailed a taxi and was following closely behind her.

"She just won't leave me alone," Luca muttered under her breath.

"Excuse me, miss did you say something?" The driver thought she was talking to him and checked to make sure.

Luca came back to her senses, realizing the misunderstanding. She quickly explained, "

Sorry, I wasn't talking about you."

The driver nodded and did not bring it up again.

The ride took only ten minutes.

When Luca paid and got out of the car, she noticed that the taxi following her also stopped by the side of the road.

However, Hera had not gotten out yet.

A sly smile curved at the corners of Luca's lips.

It seemed like it had been a long time since she had any inclination to tease someone.

Today, she would let Hera experience a lighthearted tease.

Looking at the ancestral hall before her, Luca felt a sense of familiarity. This place held the joint effort of both her and Luke's. She knew every door, every room, and what each led to.

She walked briskly toward the entrance.

Inside the taxi, Hera watched as Luca entered the ancestral hall. She paused for a moment. Her gaze was drawn to the words ancestral hall that were written on the sign. She felt a sense of confusion. Who would have a date in a place like this?

Was she going to offer sacrifices to ancestors?

Moreover, Lucius was Russian, not Western. Their ancestors would be completely different.

"Miss, are you getting out?" Seeing that she had not gotten out of the taxi and had not told him to drive on, the taxi driver decided to ask her directly.

Chapter 3410 Shaken Off By Luca "Wait a little longer. By the way, what kind of ancestral hall is this?" asked Hera.

"It's a local family's ancestral hall. I heard it's been designed by the owner of a large company, and now it's also one of the tourist attractions." The taxi driver was not from around here, so he did not know all the details, but he knew it had become a popular spot. " Now, thanks to the reputation of that boss, many architects come here as one of their reference points."

Hera frowned deeper. What was Luca doing here?

The driver suggested, "If you're interested in sightseeing, the attractions inside are pretty good. But for outsiders, they charge an entrance fee. Maintenance costs a lot of money, so they charge tourists from outside."

"I'm not here for sightseeing," replied Hera, "Don't worry. I'll pay you for however long I stay here. You'll get your money."

The driver heard that she was paying, and did not press her further and remained quiet.

Hera stared at the entrance of the ancestral hall, planning to wait for Luca to come out. On the other hand.

Luca quickly entered the hall, where the village chief was talking to someone inside.

The village chief immediately recognized her when she walked in and he walked over with enthusiasm, "Ms. Craw, what brings you here?"

"I'm here on business." Luca glanced around and planned to leave through the back door. The village chief heard her and asked eagerly, "Oh? Is that so? Did Luke come with you?" "No, he's busy," Luca answered casually. Then she asked, "Chief, is the back door open?" "Yes, yes. Thanks to your help with the design, our ancestral hall has become a tourist spot. Many people come to visit, and it's brought in some income for our village committee. To ensure the safety of visitors, we've opened the back and side doors," explained the village chief.

"Alright, chief. I have some other matters to attend to. We'll chat later." Luca quickly headed toward the back door.

"Huh?" The village chief watched her leave in a hurry, as though something was chasing her.

He looked around the entrance, but no one was there.

After Luca exited through the back door, she followed the GPS, turned onto another street, hailed a taxi, and gave the driver the address for the villa before leaving.

Hera had been waiting in the taxi for nearly half an hour, but Luca still had not come out.

The driver, growing impatient, finally spoke, "Miss, if you're waiting for someone, you might as well go inside. I'm about to head home."

Hera frowned. She paid him and got out of the car.

The moment the car door slammed shut, the taxi sped off in a flash.

"You!" Hera exhaled sharply, choking on the stale air as she coughed twice in quick succession.

The sun outside was scorching, and after just standing for half a minute, she felt like she could not breathe. After pondering for a moment, she decided to enter the ancestral hall, hoping to find Luca.

Even if she was discovered, she could not stand outside for another second.

As Hera approached the entrance, a person dressed as a security guard blocked her. "Are you here to visit?"

"Yes." Hera furrowed her brows. She remembered what the driver had said and glanced to the side. The entry fee was 100 dollars per person.

"What kind of tourist spot is this? Just an old ancestral hall, and they charge 100 dollars?" Hera grumbled and took out her phone to scan the payment code.

The security guard replied confidently, "Our ancestral hall is special. Do you know Mr. Crawford from T Corporation?"

Hera's eyes flickered with confusion. What did this have to do with Luke?

Recalling what the driver had said, she was mildly surprised. Could this place have been designed by Luke?

The man, who was like a deity, was a genius in architectural design. His creations were highly sought after and admired by many.

Hera recalled how obsessed she was with him back then. Even though she and Luke could never be together, she wanted to see his work. After paying, she walked straight in.

Once inside, she proceeded cautiously, fearing that she might bump into Luca.

However, after touring the entire hall, she still did not encounter Luca.

"Where did she go?" Her face darkened as she confirmed that Luca had not come out after she had been watching the entrance from the taxi.

While Hera was puzzled over this, she turned a corner and saw another door.

It was a different exit than the one she had seen earlier.

Hera's face turned livid, and she quickly walked to the door, asking the security guard stationed there, "Did you see a woman leave just now?"

The guard gave her a puzzled look. "This ancestral hall is famous, and many people visit.

Men, women... there are plenty of women who come and go."

"Just..." Hera found herself at a loss for words. She tried to describe Luca, but her mind went blank.

The only thing she could think of was that Luca was beautiful.

However, Hera refused to admit that she was beautiful.

She stomped her foot, snorted coldly, and quickly walked out of the ancestral hall.

Hera could not find Luca anywhere, and she guessed that Luca must have already left, possibly long ago.

Her expression became gloomy as she thought to herself that Luca had known she was following her and had used this place to escape. She increasingly felt that Luca was meeting with Lucius.

Only a meeting with Lucius could explain why she was so evasive.

"Luca, you're not getting away!" Hera seethed in anger. When she turned and saw the security camera at the entrance, she paused and walked back.

The security guard stopped her. "Are you going in?"

"Obviously!" Hera replied impatiently. "Is the person in charge here?"

"Yes, he's in there. But you need to buy a ticket to enter." The security guard pointed at a sign and the QR code to scan. "You can pay by scanning or by cash."

"I just came out of there!" Hera's eyes widened. Was this not clearly a scam?

"I don't care where you came from. Didn't you notice? The rules are right here." The security guard pointed at the last line of the sign.

Hera read the line, which said, "Anyone leaving the premises, regardless of how many tickets they've purchased, must buy a new ticket to re-enter the hall."

"How about you rob me, then?!" Hera fumed, pointing angrily at the security guard.

Hera did not lack a hundred or two hundred dollars, but the frustration of being tricked by Luca made her anger flare up.

The security guard wasn't working for her, so he was not about to take her attitude. With a dark expression, he said, "Do whatever you want. If you don't want to pay, just get lost and stop causing a scene here."

If this were in the past, Hera would have definitely turned around and left, perhaps even kept the evidence to file a complaint later.

However, she needed to see the surveillance footage now, so she clenched her teeth and scanned the QR code to pay.

"See? I paid!" Hera said triumphantly, pointing her chin at the guard.

The security guard rolled his eyes. "So what? What does that have to do with me?"

He then took out his phone and continued watching videos. While he appreciated beautiful women, he could not be bothered with a woman like her who had such a bad temper, no matter how attractive she was.

Hera was furious.

She made a mental note of the guard's name tag. As she walked into the ancestral hall, she said aloud, "I'll remember your name. I'm definitely going to file a complaint about you!"