Ch. 3451..3460

Chapter 3451 Sending Good News And Leaving Out The Bad If Shanks' prescription could help Hera sleep earlier, that would not be a bad thing.

"Then I need to be treat..." Hera paused for a moment, realizing she could not say the word treatment. That would imply she was sick, and she could not let people know that. Instead, she corrected herself and asked, "How long will I need to take this herbal medicine?"

"You can stop when your test results are back to normal," replied Luca as she picked up the medical waste and headed out of the room.

Gerald followed closely behind and asked with curiosity, "Ms. Craw, how long is that?" "How long is a standard treatment cycle?" Luca asked in return.

Gerald pondered for a moment. "Usually about a month?"

"The average endocrine cycle for women is three months, so the minimum duration for proper regulation is three months," explained Luca.

Although Abel could take action at any time, there was no way Hera could endure three full months of treatment.

However, until Abel made his move, she would have to keep taking the medicine.

Gerald shuddered. "Three months of drinking that awful stuff? I'd rather die."

Luca shot him a glare. "For someone who values their life so much, if you had to choose between three months of herbal medicine and death, which would you pick?"

Gerald chuckled sheepishly. "Ms. Craw, no need to take it so seriously. If three months of herbal medicine was the only way to survive, of course, I'd choose the medicine. But seriously, what's wrong with Ms. Sanchez? Why does she need to take herbal medicine for so long?"

Gerald's curiosity was burning, especially now that the question had popped into his head. If he did not get his questions answered, he would feel restless and uneasy.

"Does taking herbal medicine automatically mean there's something wrong?" Luca dodged the question, unwilling to risk Gerald's loose lips.

"Well, not necessarily..." Gerald shook his head. "But it's still strange, isn't it? Why would someone perfectly fine need to drink that stuff for three months?"

He held up three fingers for emphasis.

As they reached the second-floor hallway, Luca turned to him. "Do you think your body is in perfect health?"

"Of course! I eat well and sleep great. Ever since I started practicing the fighting skills Lucius taught me, I feel like I can breathe more easily. My body has never felt better!" Gerald answered confidently.

Luca glanced at him. "That's what you think. But if someone took your pulse, you'd probably end up needing herbal medicine too. That doesn't mean you're unhealthy; it just means your body could use some fine-tuning."

Gerald shivered at the mention of drinking herbal medicine himself. "I get it now! So, Ms. Sanchez isn't actually sick. She's just trying to improve her health. That's what you mean, right?"

Luca did not respond. She simply walked straight into the lab.

Gerald frowned but headed downstairs.

Meanwhile, Abel stood in the shadows of the balcony. Only after they had all left did he step out.

Hera's body was fine?

Good.

He would never allow an unhealthy person to be a donor for his Kassy.

Abel made his way down the stairs.

Inside the lab, Shanks asked, "Did she finish it?"

"She did. Seems like she values her life, after all," replied Luca as she sorted the medical waste.

"It's not about valuing her life," Shanks said bluntly. "She just doesn't want to waste money."

Luca blinked in surprise. He was not wrong.

If Abel had not given Hera so many benefits, there was no way she would have stayed here, let alone forced herself to drink all that bitter herbal medicine.

Recalling Vivian's situation, Luca said, "Mr. Shanks, I'd like to take a leave the day after tomorrow."

"For what?" asked Shanks.

Luca was caught off guard. She did not expect him to ask. He had never cared about her whereabouts before.

Even though Luca was puzzled, she answered honestly, "A friend of mine just arrived in X City. She says she's having health issues, so I need to check on her."

Shanks paused for a moment. Then, his sharp gaze locked on her. "Is that why Abel slapped you?"

"Yes." Luca nodded. "My friend's family has some conflicts with the organization. Abel wants to use her as leverage to force them into submission. I told him now wasn't the time to start a fight, and he just..."

Shanks withdrew his gaze. Now that he knew the real reason, he was not surprised she had been beaten.

"You really have a sharp tongue," Shanks replied nonchalantly. "Are you planning to treat her?"

"I don't know if I can. I need to see what's going on first," answered Luca.

"Is she an important friend of yours?" asked Shanks.

"Well..." Luca hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words.

"I'm not Abel. No need to play games with me." Shanks' voice was indifferent. "I don't care about your friend."

Knowing the kind of person Shanks was, Luca believed him. If he said he was not interested, then he truly was not. Therefore, she admitted, "Yes, she's very important. Before I was kidnapped into the organization, she was by my side through some of the hardest times." Back then, Luke had been abducted by the Island of Despair because of Vivian's recklessness. However, that had been his choice, and Luca had never blamed her for it.

After the incident, Ray went to great lengths to help with the search. To eliminate the lingering threat of the Island of Despair, he mobilized all his subordinates, determined to wage an all-out battle against them.

Hence, Luca had never resented Vivian. She considered her a true friend.

Now that Vivian had health issues, Luca could not just sit back and do nothing. She also could not afford to wait until things settled down.

Illness was not something that could be put on hold. Delays could make things worse.

Shanks put on a faint smile.

It was gone in an instant, so fleeting that Luca almost thought she had imagined it.

Just as she was about to ask why he had smiled, Shanks said, "Go ahead. If you run into anything difficult, you can ask me."

Luca's eyes widened in surprise.

Shanks was willing to help if she could not handle it?

That would be great.

He was a true expert, an all-rounder in the medical field.

"Thank you, Mr. Shanks." Luca sincerely expressed her gratitude.

Shanks shook his head, as though to say it was no big deal.

Still, Luca knew better. Having Shanks' help this time was a huge favor.

She picked up her phone and sent a message to Luke: [I can go see Vivian the day after tomorrow. There's a chance someone might follow me, so it's best if they stay at a hotel.] After hitting send, she deliberately left out the fact that she had been slapped. If Luke found out about it, there was no telling what kind of drastic action he might take. Besides, with Shanks' anti-swelling medicine, her face would probably be fine by then.

A reply came almost instantly. [Alright. I'll let Ray know. Is everything okay on your end?] [Everything's fine. All normal. I need to get back to work.] Luca sent the message and absentmindedly touched her face.

Just as she glanced at the time and was about to head to the kitchen to make lunch, Shanks' voice interrupted her thoughts.

"You just sent the good news and left out the bad?"

"What?" Luca looked at him, confused. Sending the good news and leaving out the bad?

"You didn't tell him you got slapped?" Shanks did not specify who he was, but they both knew exactly who he meant.

Chapter 3452 Why They're Helping Her To Cover This Up "I'm just making plans with a friend. No need to go into all that, right?" As Luca said, she lifted her gaze to meet Shanks.

His eyes were as deep as the ocean, and in that split second of eye contact, she felt like she was being pulled in. She suddenly felt like she had just exposed herself.

Awkwardly, she cleared her throat and said, "Mr. Shanks, I'll head downstairs to make lunch."

Shanks did not call her out on it, nor did he press further. He simply returned to his experiment.

Downstairs, Luca saw Abel sitting on the living room couch. Ignoring him was not an option. Luca greeted him politely, "Mr. Abel."

Abel took a slow drag from his cigar, his blue eyes scanning her from head to toe. He was deep in thought.

He remained silent, seemingly deep in thought. His dark and brooding expression sent a chill down Luca's spine. Without saying a word, she turned around and walked straight into the kitchen.

Gerald was already inside.

When he saw her, he mouthed, "You're here?"

Luca nodded.

He leaned in and asked in a hushed tone, "Ms. Craw, are you making lunch?"

"Yes." Luca took out the ingredients.

Gerald had ordered them through the grocery app.

"Is the boss still out there?" Gerald asked in a low voice. He was afraid Abel would overhear.

"He is," Luca replied in her usual tone, making no effort to be quiet.

She knew something Gerald did not.

People from the Island of Despair had exceptional hearing due to their specialized training.

Abel, in particular, could hear everything. The kitchen was not far from the living room, and with no soundproofing, whispering would not help. If they made a sound, he would pick up on it.

"Keep your voice down." Gerald was worried that her voice was too loud and might draw Abel's attention.

Even though he had not done anything wrong, the memory of nearly dying back then still haunted him. Whenever he saw Abel, he was like a mouse spotting a cat, wishing that he could turn invisible just so Abel would not notice him.

If Abel did not notice him, he could do less work and, more importantly, stay out of danger. Luca simply smiled without saying anything.

"So... are we making lunch for the boss too?" Gerald started toasting the bread.

After preparing meals for four people so many times, he had a good grasp of the portions. If Hera was eating, he could prepare just the right amount. There would be no leftovers, and no one would go hungry either.

"Go ahead," replied Luca.

Abel probably would not eat anything she made, but it was better to have the meal ready. Otherwise, he would just use it as an excuse to punish her.

"Okay." Gerald toasted the bread. As he was unsure how much Abel would eat, he made extra. It was better safe than sorry.

Gerald rinsed the ingredients twice, placed them in the pot, and then started helping her with the meal prep.

Meanwhile, Abel sat on the couch, listening to the sounds from the kitchen. His gaze was dark and brooding.

His instincts had always been sharp. From the moment he arrived, something had felt off. Hera and Shanks....

The sound of footsteps on the stairs made him look up.

Hera reached the last step and froze when she saw Abel. Why was he still here? Regret flooded her instantly.

Hera had secrets to keep from Abel, and now that she was facing him, alarm bells blared in her mind. She was worried Abel would see through her and make her cough up everything she had gained.

"Why are you just standing there like an idiot?" Abel's displeasure was obvious.

Was the woman who once clung to him endlessly no longer interested in him after her material desires were fulfilled? Or was she hiding something?

Hera's heart clenched, but she forced a smile as she sauntered over. "I thought you had left. I'm just surprised to see you still here."

She sauntered over to him with a sultry grace, sinking onto the seat beside him.

Abel pulled her into his arms with a firm, possessive grip.

"Are you keeping something from me?" He pinched her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze.

Hera blinked her eyes. Panic was swirling inside her, but she forced herself to stay calm. Years of experience in playing this game kicked in. She denied it, saying, "What could I possibly be hiding from you?"

Abel's sharp eyes locked on hers.

Hera held his gaze, noticing the suspicion in them.

She leaned into Abel's chest under the pretense of closeness and listened to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat. However, instead of comfort, a sense of unease settled in her heart.

When he did not respond, Hera suddenly thought of the black card and said, "Oh, right. You forgot your card upstairs. I'll go get it for you."

"No need." Abel caught her hand before she could move.

Hera pretended to look confused as she stared at him. "What's wrong?"

"Just keep it. Buy whatever you want," replied Abel. She would not have much more time left to spend his money anyway.

He had plenty of it, so he could let her burn through as much as she wanted. That money? It was the price he was paying for her remaining years.

She would have no future left when she lost her eyes and kneecaps.

"Really?" Hera's heart leaped with joy, but when her eyes met his again, guilt crept in.

Abel liked healthy women, and she was not healthy anymore.

If she spent too much and he found out about her deception... If he ever demanded that she return everything, she would not have nearly enough to pay it back.

The sound of movement in the kitchen caught her attention, and for a moment, she wished she could escape there. However, if she did, it would look suspicious. She and Luca had never gotten along. If she suddenly went to help, Abel would definitely be suspicious.

Hera was torn. On one hand, she had a golden opportunity to spend as much as she wanted. However, if her lies were uncovered, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Abel's large hand gently brushed against the area near her eyes.

Hera obediently closed her eyes, allowing him to touch her as he pleased. His palm lightly covered her eyelids, and her body trembled slightly. He had always liked touching her eyes. It was something she had grown used to.

However, for some reason, what once felt familiar now sent chills down her spine. There was something eerie in the way he caressed her. It was almost sinister. She could not stop the slight shudder that ran through her body.

Now that she had her eyes closed, she was free from his penetrating gaze. Her mind whirred at full speed.

If she kept hiding the truth, she could still milk this for all it was worth.

If she sold all her designer bags and clothes, she would not lose out. Some could even be rented out for extra income.

With these luxury items as investments, she would not have to work in the future and couldnoveldrama still make decent money.

Besides, Shanks had promised to keep her secret. He would not tell Abel.

Hera had no idea why they were helping her to cover this up, but as long as it was not hurting her, there was nothing to worry about.

The most important thing was that her looks were her meal ticket. Abel was still interested in her at the moment, and there would always be other wealthy men. However, as she aged, no matter how well she maintained herself, time would leave its mark.

When that day came, her beauty would no longer be worth much, and with her reputation in the circle, it was unlikely that any respectable young heir would want to marry her. At the thought of this, Hera had no idea how long Abel's interest in her would last. Hence, she made her decision. She had to make the most of it and take as much as she could while she still could! With that decision made, the weight on her shoulders vanished.

Hera no longer felt guilty.

"Baby," she cooed as she wrapped her delicate hand around Abel's strong arm.

Chapter 3453 Gouge Out Her Eyes Abel's hand paused for a moment before he continued stroking her eyelids.

"What's wrong?" His voice was eerily low, carrying a chilling edge.

Hera could not see his expression, but just the sound of his voice was enough to send shivers down her spine.

"Thank you." Hera forced herself to smile, summoning what little courage she had.

"No need for thanks. Just be good from now on." Abel's fingers continued their slow, deliberate caress. It was like he was handling a priceless treasure.

Hera remained still, letting him touch her without protest. More than anything, she did not dare to speak.

She was terrified that if she broke the moment and interrupted whatever was going through his mind, he would be displeased.

At that moment, Luca brought the food to the table and asked, "Mr. Abel, Ms. Sanchez, lunch is ready. Would you prefer to eat here or in your room?"

"I'll go with whatever my baby wants." Hera smiled sweetly, masking her fear behind a bright smile. For some reason, she had this horrifying feeling that Abel might gouge out her eyes at any moment. "Babe, will you be staying for lunch?"

Abel had never been particularly interested in Luca's cooking. He was just about to refuse when a rich, savory aroma drifted through the air. He hesitated for a second before saying, " I'll eat here."

"Then we'll eat here," Hera quickly agreed.

Luca glanced at Hera's hands and noticed a faint tremor. She gave a slight nod and said, " Alright. Let's eat."

Hera still did not dare to move.

Only when Abel finally lifted his hand away from her face did she slowly open her eyes. For a moment, it felt as though she was seeing the world anew.

She had genuinely thought he was about to dig her eyes out...

Hera let out a quiet sigh of relief, quickly stood up, and took his hand. "Come on. Let's go eat in the dining room."

"Okay," replied Abel.

With that, they headed toward the dining area.

Luca turned to Gerald and said, "Call Mr. Shanks for lunch."

"Alright." Gerald nodded and went upstairs. Not long after, he returned. "Ms. Craw, Mr. Shanks said he's busy and won't be coming down. Should I bring a plate up for him?"

Luca glanced at Abel, guessing that Shanks was deliberately avoiding him by staying in his room.

She nodded. "Okay, just bring him some food."

Gerald quickly got to work.

Meanwhile, Luca served some dishes for herself and Gerald, then turned to Abel and Hera." Mr. Abel, Ms. Sanchez, we'll be eating in the kitchen. Please take your time and enjoy your meal."

Then, she carried her plate into the kitchen. When she returned to serve the chowder, she caught Hera shooting her a subtle glance.

She immediately understood what that look meant.

Hera was feeling guilty. It was only natural she did not want to have lunch with Abel.

However, Luca did not want to either.

Hera watched helplessly as Luca completely ignored her silent plea and walked straight into the kitchen, leaving her alone with Abel.

She forced an awkward smile.

"Babe, as much as I hate to admit it, Luca's cooking is actually really good. You should try it." Hera reached out to serve Abel some food.

Abel picked up a chunk of meat and tasted it. He had to admit that it was quite good.

Still, he remarked in a slow, deliberate tone, "This is the first time I've heard you praise Luca."

Hera's smile stiffened. "Oh, come on! That wasn't a compliment."

She added quickly, "Sure, I don't get along with her, but I'm a reasonable person. I'm not going to lie just for the sake of it. Her cooking is good, don't you think?"

Abel nodded. "It is."

Hera let out a faint smile, but inside, she was panicking. She actually just complimented Luca in front of Abel. She needed to be more careful in the future and avoid mentioning Luca too much around him.

Perhaps she should even give Luca a heads-up and let her know not to take anything personally.

After all, any time she spoke against Luca in front of Abel, it was just an act. It was a way to keep herself safe.

Pushing the thought aside, Hera took a bite of her food.

Just then, Abel's phone rang.

"Hello?" Abel answered the call.

Hera had no idea what the person on the other end was saying.

Abel's expression grew serious. A moment later, he stood up. After ending the call, he said, " Finish your lunch. I have something to take care of."

"Babe, what's so urgent? At least have a few more bites before you go," Hera cooed sweetly.

Abel ignored her and left without another word.

Hera watched him leave from behind and finally let out a sigh of relief. When she was first brought here, she had been furious about being left in this place. Now, she almost hoped he would forget about her entirely.

Here, she had freedom. She did not have to serve Abel, and she still had access to his money. It was the best of both worlds for her.

On top of that, she was sick. Shanks had not explicitly told her, but she understood that she could not afford to mess around anymore. Every reckless indulgence was just another strain on her body.

Eating alone felt dull, so she wandered over to the kitchen doorway.

When she saw Luca and Gerald sitting on small stools, eating quietly, she was speechless. They had deliberately avoided sitting at the dining table, showing Abel absolute respect on the surface. In reality, though, they had just thrown her straight into the fire. Gerald noticed Hera standing at the kitchen doorway. He could not help but smile and ask, " Ms. Sanchez, do you need more food? I can get you another serving."

Then, he realized that Hera was not even holding a plate.

Gerald was puzzled.

Hera glanced at him and replied, "Abel left. You two can eat at the table now."

Gerald immediately stood up. "Got it."

Without waiting for Luca's response, he grabbed the plates and carried them out.

Luca had no choice but to follow him.

As he placed the plates of food on the dining table, Gerald curiously asked, "Where did the boss go?"

Hera, now back in her seat, replied, "I don't know. He got a phone call. It seemed like something urgent, so he left immediately."

Gerald set aside Abel's barely touched plate of food and sighed. "Tsk, what a waste."

Luca remained silent, quietly finishing her meal. After lunch, she stepped out onto the balcony and called Vivian.

She was not sure about Vivian's situation and wanted to get some updates in advance. However, no matter how many times she dialed, the call would not go through.

Luca frowned and tried contacting Ray instead. This time, her phone buzzed with a message less than 30 seconds later. He told her that he was busy and could not take calls at the moment.

Luca did not push further and simply replied with a short acknowledgment.

After that, she made her way to the room where the volunteer was staying. He was having lunch. His meals were delivered daily by his family.

They could only drop them off at the door. Someone inside the house would then bring the food to him.

At first, his family was worried about him and wanted to visit in person. After his condition improved, he started doing video calls with them, which helped put their minds at ease.

"Oh, Ms. Craw, you're here?" Sensing her presence, the volunteer paused for a moment and set down his spoon.

"Yes. Having lunch?" Luca glanced at the IV drip. There was still quite a bit left.

Chapter 3454 This Is The First Time Shanks Is Expressing Interest In Meeting Someone "Yeah, something came up with my family, so they got delayed. They just brought me my meal," answered the volunteer.

Luca glanced at his food, which consisted of meat and vegetables. It was clear that his family treated him very well.

"That's quite a feast," remarked Luca.

"Heh, they know I need the nutrition, so they always give me this much. Ms. Craw, have you eaten yet?" the volunteer asked cheerfully. Now that his health was improving, his appetite had returned, and his mood was much better too.

"I have. You should eat more. I just came in to check how much IV fluid is left. There's still quite a bit, so I think it won't be done before the guys are done eating," replied Luca.

The volunteer chuckled. "They eat fast. You guys are amazing, taking such good care of me. I haven't suffered at all since being here."

"Your recovery is our biggest wish," replied Luca.

"Mm, I'll definitely cooperate with the treatment," replied the volunteer.

"Alright, I'll get back to work. Enjoy your meal," said Luca.

"Got it. Thanks for your hard work." The volunteer waved in the direction of her voice with a smile.

Luca walked out of the room and headed to the lab.

Shanks had already finished his meal.

Seeing the plates stacked together, Luca took the initiative to clean up. Just as she was about to take them away, she heard him ask, "Has Abel left?"

"Yes, he got a phone call and left right after," answered Luca.

Shanks let out a low hum in response and said nothing more.

Luca carried the dishes downstairs, put them away, and then headed back up, immersing herself in lab work once again.

While conducting experiments, she kept messaging Rhett, checking on the progress at Watson. Without her guidance at the company, the project had slowed down.

Luca frowned when she saw the message.

She turned to look at Shanks. This research was originally Shanks'. She had only made some additions to it. The entire structure of the study was built around his work.

"Is something wrong?" As soon as Luca's gaze landed on him, Shanks immediately sensed it.

A quick glance told him she had something she wanted to ask.

"Mr. Shanks, I..." Luca hesitated for a moment.

"I don't like people beating about the bush. Just say what you need to say." Shanks frowned.

Luca continued, "I just have a small question for you."

Shanks waited for her to continue.

Luca handed him her phone.

"The project Watson is working on right now is the one you originally started. Since I'm not there and don't have the materials with me, I wanted to ask if you still remember it and how this situation should be handled?"

Shanks took the phone, glanced at Rhett's message, and asked, "Is this your research assistant?"

"Yes." Luca nodded.

As Shanks typed on the screen, he commented, "Your assistant is quite meticulous. He even noticed such a minor issue."

Luca smiled. It was precisely because of Rhett's attention to detail that she chose him over Mo.

She might not have been good at judging people in the past, but after her training on the Island of Despair, she had honed that skill.

Hence, when Rhett expressed interest in applying for her research assistant position, she agreed without hesitation.

Compared to others, Rhett might not have had the most advantages or experience. However, Luca valued other qualities in him.

Now that even Shanks was praising him, she was certain she had made the right choice.

Shanks continued typing, responding to Rhett as though he were Luca.

Before long, Rhett replied with another message, and Shanks kept responding.

Luca knew Rhett was meticulous and would not send messages carelessly. So while Shanks was handling the replies, she did not feel anxious at all. Instead, she picked up the experimental data beside her and started analyzing it.

Shanks had reached the clinical trial stage, but she still could not quite understand how he knew these three traditional herbal medicines would have this effect. As she carefully examined the data, Shanks' voice broke the silence.

"Alright, problem solved."

He handed the phone back to her.

Luca took it and glanced at the conversation between him and Rhett. Even through the screen, she could sense Rhett's admiration.

Luca let out a chuckle. If Rhett knew the person replying was not her but the original developer of the project, she wondered how he would react.

"Mr. Shanks, you're really impressive," Luca complimented sincerely.

Shanks remained calm like it was no big deal.

He added, "Your assistant isn't bad either. If there's a chance, I'd like to meet him."

Luca was a little surprised. This was the first time Shanks had expressed interest in meeting someone.

She recalled what he had said the day before. Perhaps she was overthinking it, but she felt like he was implying something deeper.

Eliminating the Island of Despair and giving him freedom...

"There will definitely be a chance," said Luca.

Just then, a message from Vivian popped up.

"Mr. Shanks, I need to take a call," added Luca.

Shanks remained silent.

Luca left the lab, stepped out onto the balcony, and dialed Vivian's number.

However, Vivian did not answer the call.

Luca asked worriedly: [What's wrong?] Vivian texted back: [I'm not doing well right now. I'm feeling a bit down. Maybe not now.] [Is it your skin?] Luca suddenly thought of that possibility.

Vivian started typing, then stopped. This repeated several times.

Luca patiently waited for a while before finally receiving a reply.

[Yes, Luca. You'll understand when I get to A City.] [No matter what it is, I'm here for you. Don't worry. I even have an expert on my side now.

He has agreed to help with anything I can't solve. Maybe he can find a way.] Though Luca said that, she did not dare give Vivian a definite answer. After all, she still did not know what had happened.

Vivian's skin had been improving. Why had it suddenly worsened?

Vivian sounded doubtful: [Really?] Trying to encourage her, Luca replied: [When have I ever lied to you? Cheer up. You were so happy when you were in A City, and your skin got better back then, didn't it? This time, it'll definitely improve too.] Vivian: [Alright, see you the day after tomorrow.] Luca: [See you then.] When Luca turned around, she saw Gerald standing in the second-floor lounge, grinning mischievously at her.

The moment Luca saw that expression, her fists clenched instinctively.

Whenever he smiled like that, it was never followed by anything good.

"Just say it," Luca said flatly.

"I'm afraid if I do, you'll punch me again." Gerald put on an innocent face.

"Do I seem like that kind of person?"

"I think so." Gerald nodded. "I've experienced your punches firsthand."

"Then don't say it." Luca turned to head back to the lab.

Gerald followed her. "But I still want to say it."

"So are you going to say it or not?" Luca stopped and looked at him, completely speechless.

"Alright, but don't hit me. Were you just on the phone with him again?" Gerald asked in a teasing tone.

Chapter 3455 Vivian Is Experiencing Issues With Her Skin Luca deliberately cracked her knuckles, making a loud 'pop' sound.

Gerald immediately shrank back, pulling his neck in.

"Ms. Craw, I'm sorry! I was being nosy. Please don't be mad. I'll just go take a nap," he quickly apologized.

"Hold on." Luca stopped him.

"What is it?" Gerald looked at her in confusion.

"Do you know how to remove an IV yet?" asked Luca.

"I've seen it done a lot, but I haven't actually tried it myself." A glint of eagerness flashed in Gerald's eyes. "Ms. Craw, are you asking me to give it a shot?"

"Do you want to try?" asked Luca.

"Yes!" Gerald nodded enthusiastically. "I may not be a medical genius, but I can at least do something useful."

"Come with me. Let's start with changing the IV bag," instructed Luca.

Gerald followed her, and under her guidance, he clumsily went through the steps but managed to replace the IV bag successfully.

"This is so cool! I think I could totally be a nurse." Gerald flashed a victory sign. "What do you think? Would I make a good male nurse?"

Luca rolled her eyes. She was not sure about male nurses in general, but she was certain Gerald would end up killing a lot of patients.

"Once the patient is done with his IV drip, I'll teach you how to remove the IV and seal the site properly," said Luca. Since they were using indwelling needles, he would not need to remove the needles directly from the vein. He only had to detach it from the catheter and seal it off.

"Got it! Ms. Craw, you're teaching me all this because you're planning to go somewhere soon, right?" Gerald asked knowingly.

"Yes, I have something to take care of the day after tomorrow." Luca nodded and admitted. "Where are you going? Can you pick up something for me?" Gerald's eyes lit up.

"You're already out of cigarettes?" Luca frowned.

"Not exactly. I just want to stock up. I have a feeling that once this experiment is over, you'll be leaving. If I need more cigarettes after that, I'll either have to sneak out wearing a hat and a mask like some shady guy or ask someone else to get them for me.

"But every time they help, they either take a few packs for themselves or overcharge me. These guys are richer than me, but they still pull this crap. I seriously can't deal with it," replied Gerald.

Gerald was a wanted fugitive outside now, unable to take on even the simplest tasks. That meant his income was limited to a basic salary. It was tough for him.

Even though his basic salary was still more than what most people earned working outside, but compared to the others here, he was broke. Getting ripped off by them just made it worse. Gerald looked at Luca with hopeful eyes.

"Fine. Same cigarettes as last time?" asked Luca.

"Yes!" Gerald nodded eagerly. "Please get a few extra cartons if that's possible. I'll transfer you the money now."

As he spoke, he swiftly transferred the money to her bank account.

Luca felt helpless and added, "Try to cut back. Smoking that much is bad for your health."

"Got it, Ms. Craw. Don't worry, I've already cut down on smoking. I just feel better knowing I have a stash," Gerald replied cheerfully.

...

Two days later, in the early hours of the morning.

Gale was at the airport for pickup duty.

Vivian and Ray's flight arrived at X City Airport just past midnight.

After meeting them at the arrivals exit, Gale could not help but glance at Vivian with curiosity.

She was completely covered up with a mask, hat, and sunglasses, making it impossible to see her face. However, her exposed hands and neck revealed something unusual.

Gale frowned. Perhaps it was just the dim lighting, but her skin seemed much darker than before.

Back when she left for Russia, she had been getting fairer, her complexion growing more delicate and refined. So how did she come back looking tanned?

Geographically speaking, Russia was not exactly a place where one would get sunburned easily.

On the contrary, the UV rays in A City were much stronger, so Gale could not understand how her skin ended up getting darker.

Even though he did not understand, he remained polite and refrained from scrutinizing Vivian any further.

"Mr. Ray, Ms. Vivian, the boss decided that for Ms. Craw's convenience, you'll be staying at a hotel for now. You won't be staying in the villa," said Gale.

"Alright." When Ray had spoken to Luke earlier, Luke had originally wanted them to stay in the villa as it would have been more convenient and safer from potential surveillance. However, now that the arrangements had changed, Ray had no objections. He trusted that Luke had his reasons.

Ray took Vivian's hand. "Let's go to the hotel."

"Okay," murmured Vivian.

Ever since her skin issues started, she had been in low spirits. Her energy was drained, and her mood was constantly down.

After the long-haul flight, she felt even worse. She was completely exhausted. She was not even in the mood to talk.

Ray understood her feelings and did not push her. He simply held her hand tightly.

They were siblings. They had to support each other no matter what.

Truthfully, he should not have left Russia at a time like this. However, he was too worried about Vivian's condition.

After discussing it with Luke and receiving his support, he decided to bring Vivian to X City to see Luca.

At this moment, Vivian felt that Luca was her last hope. She was the only person who could help her...

The siblings got into the car, and Gale drove them straight to a five-star hotel. The hotel was located near the villa.

Although it meant Luca would have to go out of her way to meet them, the location made it easier for Luke and Ray to discuss matters privately.

Gale had booked a presidential suite in advance. The suite had two separate bedrooms, which made it perfect for the siblings.

He helped carry their luggage upstairs.

When they entered the suite, Vivian still refused to take off her hat and mask in front of Gale.

"Sorry, Mr. Gale. I just look awful right now, so..." Vivian knew was impolite to continue to be covered up in the presence of a guest, but she was too worried about scaring him to take off her mask.

Gale chuckled. "It's alright, Ms. Vivian. I just need to check the suite for any surveillance and then I'll be on my way."

With that, he pulled out his phone and started scanning. His device was equipped with a program developed by Adrian. He swept the entire suite within minutes.

Aside from the WiFi signal, there was nothing unusual. There were no hidden cameras and no wiretaps.

"It's all clear," said Gale.

Then, he took a small device out of his pocket and handed it to Ray. "Mr. Ray, this is a gift from the boss. Just stick it on your phone and download the corresponding app. It'll allow you to detect any surveillance or wiretaps in real-time, ensuring your privacy."

Ray accepted it and nodded. "I was actually planning to ask Mr. Crawford for one of these." "Here, let me install the app for you," Gale offered.

"Sure." Ray handed over his phone without hesitation. He trusted Gale since he was one of Luke's men.

After installing the software, Gale walked him through the setup and usage.

Once Ray got the hang of it, Gale added, "Since you'll be staying at a hotel for now, I'd recommend running a scan daily or at least before any important conversations. That way, you can be sure your discussions remain private."

Unlike the villa, a hotel had too many people coming and going, including staff and other guests. It was much easier for someone to plant a bug here.

Chapter 3456 Can Luca Really Help Vivian "Alright." Ray nodded and put the phone case on to protect the device.

Gale glanced at Vivian, who was sitting on the couch. She did not say a word. She looked like an empty shell, completely indifferent to everything. It was as though she was trapped in her own sorrowful world.

"Well, I should leave now," said Gale.

"Okay, let me see you off." Ray nodded, then called out, "Vivian?"

Vivian came back to her senses and turned to look at him. "Huh?"

"Mr. Gale is leaving," added Ray.

Vivian nodded before turning to Gale. "Goodbye, Mr. Gale."

"Goodbye, Ms. Vivian." Gale stepped out the door and noticed Ray was about to walk him out. He quickly waved him off. "Mr. Ray, no need to see me off."

"Alright, take care on your way back." Ray nodded. He did not feel comfortable leaving Vivian alone in the suite anyway.

She was in bad shape right now.

After Gale left, Ray shut the door and walked over to her.

Vivian was still staring blankly into space.

"Vivian," Ray called in a low voice.

There was no response from her.

He called again. "Vivian?"

"Yes?" She finally reacted.

"Gale's gone. You can take off your mask now," said Ray.

Vivian only ever removed her hat and mask in front of him. Around everyone else, including the household staff in the villa, she kept herself completely covered up. Her hands trembled slightly as she removed her bucket hat and mask.

"Ray, do I look ugly?" asked Vivian as tears welled up in her eyes.

Ray shook his head and gently stroked her hair. "No, not at all. My sister is not ugly."

"I know you're just trying to comfort me." Vivian let out a bitter laugh. Ever since she returned to Russia, her skin, which had been fair from her time in A City, had darkened again.

Worse, her face had broken out in clusters of acne-like bumps, and they would take a long time to fade.

Sadness clouded her eyes as she murmured, "I keep thinking about Mr. Crawford's mother. Her skin was the same, and it ruined her face. I'm really scared..."

By the end, her voice was trembling. "My skin keeps getting darker, and now with all these breakouts, I look terrible. I hate the way I look right now."

"Don't worry, it won't stay like this. You have Luca, and her medical skills are incredible.

She'll definitely be able to help you. Besides, didn't you say she knows another skilled person too? You don't have to worry. You'll be fine-I promise," assured Ray.

Ray did not actually have much faith in Luca.

Vivian had already consulted numerous dermatologists in Russia, but they had all shaken their heads, admitting they had no solution for her condition.

Later, Ray heard that Luca was quite skilled, at least skilled enough to have helped alleviate Luke's mother's skin problem when it was at its worst.

Ray had no choice but to go along with Vivian's wishes and bring her to X City.

Luca was Vivian's last hope.

Even though Ray was still searching for dermatology experts to assess her case, at this point, Vivian was only willing to let Luca help.

Ray's expression darkened at the thought of this.

"Well, I believe in Luca. She'll definitely be able to help me. Don't you think so, Ray?"

Vivian's voice was filled with uncertainty. Everyone around her kept saying that Luca could help her. That was why she convinced herself to believe it too.

However, deep down, she still felt like her skin was beyond saving.

Ray nodded. "Yes, there will definitely be a solution. Don't give up. Keeping a positive mindset is important for recovery."

Vivian took a deep breath and glanced at the time. "Ray, I need to get some rest. Only if I rest well will my complexion improve..."

She let out a bitter laugh and ran her fingers over her face. The bumps on her skin felt like they were welded in place, rough and uneven. Then, she added, "Not that I can even tell if my complexion looks better or worse."

"Getting rest will give you more energy. And with more energy, you can have a proper conversation with Luca and figure out what's really going on," replied Ray.

"You're right," Vivian agreed.

She stood up, looked at the two bedrooms, and randomly picked one before walking in and closing the door behind her.

Ray watched the door shut, his expression unreadable.

Could Luca really help Vivian?

He had his doubts.

Yet he still placed all his hopes on her.

Ray walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. The advantage of being on a high floor was that he could overlook the entire city. He had never been to X City before.

Looking out at the city, which was far less prosperous than A City, Ray fell into deep thought. He picked up his phone and messaged his subordinates, urging them to continue searching for dermatologists.

A while later, he received a reply.

[Boss, we've found two dermatology specialists from New York. They're willing to consult with Ms. Vivian in person, but after reviewing the reports from the Russian dermatologists, they can't guarantee a cure.] Ray: [Got it. Contact every renowned dermatologist worldwide. I want to make sure Vivian fully recovers.] [Understood, Boss.] At dawn, Luca was already busy performing dry needling treatment on Hera and the volunteer. After finishing, she set up their IV drips and reminded Gerald to monitor them carefully. She instructed him to replace the fluids when necessary and remove the needles once the IV bags were finished. Only then did she grab her bag and hurriedly leave. Watching the IV fluid slowly drip into her vein, Hera turned to Gerald and asked, "Is Luca heading out?"

"Yes." Gerald nodded.

"Where is she going?" asked Hera.

Gerald glanced at her warily. "I have no idea. Ms. Sanchez, you're still hooked up to an IV. Don't even think about going anywhere. If you pull that needle out, I won't be able tonoveldrama reinsert it, and today's treatment will be ruined."

Hera shot him a glare. "I wasn't planning on going anywhere."

"Oh," Gerald muttered, visibly relieved. As long as she stayed put, everything was fine. His biggest concern was that she might try to leave.

Hera suddenly smirked. "Why are you so protective of her? Have you fallen for her?"

"Of course not!" Gerald scoffed. "Ms. Craw is just a good person. She agreed to help me bring back some cigarettes. And besides, her brother helped me out with something, a really big favor."

"A big favor?" Hera raised an eyebrow. "What kind of favor?"

Gerald hesitated for a moment. He had almost answered, but then he remembered that Hera had no knowledge of the organization. If he said too much, he would just end up exposing himself.

Instead, he shrugged and said, "It's nothing important. It's just a little secret of mine. Anyway, I don't have feelings for Ms. Craw. I just think she's a decent person, that's all."

Being stuck in this small villa all day was not enough to drive him insane.

Besides, even if Luca was somehow involved with Lucius, there was still another man to consider-Luke.

That man might not be part of the Island of Despair, but his power and influence were just as terrifying.

Gerald thought to himself that he was not stupid enough to mess with that.

Hera seemed to believe him. Scoffing, she said, "Even if you did like her, a woman like that would never like you back."

"I know my place." Gerald grinned.

Chapter 3457 Turn Around And Let Me Take A Look, Okay Hera suddenly lost her interest when she heard what he said.

"You're the kind of person with no faith or dreams," replied Hera.

Gerald chuckled and asked, "Then what's your dream, Ms. Sanchez?"

"Me? It's simple. I want to make lots and lots of money," Hera answered without hesitation.

She did not think it was embarrassing at all. Making money was not a crime or something shameful. There was nothing wrong with saying it out loud.

Gerald nodded. "So that's why you chose to be with the boss?"

"Your boss is rich." Hera narrowed her eyes. "Since you've done so much for me, I'll do you a favor."

"A favor?" Gerald raised an eyebrow, unsure of what she meant.

"I have your boss' black card now. What luxury item do you want? I can buy you something. Just keep working hard for me in the future." Hera believed that money could solve everything, Gerald froze for a moment, his lips twitching. "Ms. Sanchez, even if you hate me, you don't have to set me up like this."

Hera blinked. "I'm not setting you up."

"If you use the boss' money to buy me something, people who know the situation might say it's a reward. But people who don't might think you're keeping me. If that rumor reaches the boss, I'm doomed."

Even though Gerald loved money, he was perfectly aware of how dangerous this idea could be.

Hera paused for a moment. Gerald had a point.

"Forget it, then," replied Hera, deciding to spend the money on herself instead.

"But Ms. Sanchez, it seems like the boss really spoils you. He even gave you a black card and let you spend it freely. Looks like you might just become the boss' wife," Gerald flattered her with a grin.

"Enough." Hera frowned. "Everyone knows I'm just a plaything to him. As long as I stay in line and give him what he wants, that's all that matters. Nothing else is important."

She was well aware of her position.

If Abel truly cared about her, as Gerald suggested, he would not be keeping her here.

Besides, love was not just about money. It required emotional care too, and that was something Abel had never given her. She knew exactly where she stood.

Still, Hera felt that things were not so bad. At least she was getting free treatment while she was here.

"Well, as long as you've come to terms with it. I'll go make your medicine," said Gerald before leaving the room.

Before Luca left, she told him that Shanks would be preparing the herbal medicine, and he needed to pick it up.

"Why can't herbal medicine just be injected like IV fluids?" groaned Hera.

The taste of the medicine from yesterday had been unbearable, lingering on her tongue and attacking her senses. Every cell in her body had resisted it.

"Maybe you can ask Ms. Craw when she gets back. We can see if she can find a way to make it happen," Gerald joked as he walked away.

Hera rolled her eyes helplessly.

Luca took a taxi to a five-star hotel.

As soon as she stepped into the lobby and before she even had a chance to ask the front desk, two foreign men approached her.

"Hello, are you Ms. Craw?" one of them asked.

"Yes, and you are..." Luca paused for a moment.

"We work for Mr. Ray. We've been waiting here for you," one of the men replied.

Luca nodded and followed them into the elevator.

They took her to the top floor and stopped in front of a presidential suite. One of the men pressed the doorbell.

It did not take long for the door to open.

Ray stood there.

"Mr. Ray," Luca greeted him first. "It's been a while."

"Ms. Craw, it's been a while," Ray responded politely. "Please, come in."

Luca stepped inside.

She glanced around the living room but did not see Vivian anywhere. She asked with confusion, "Where's Vivian?"

"She's in the bedroom. She refuses to come out," Ray explained before knocking on one of the bedroom doors. "Vivian, Ms. Craw is here."

Earlier that morning, everything had been fine until an inexperienced hotel staff member barged in with a room service cart. The staff member had an extreme reaction when she saw Vivian's face.

Since then, no matter what Ray said, Vivian had refused to step out. She kept herself locked away in the bedroom.

Vivian's voice came from inside, muffled and full of sorrow. "The door's not locked. You can come in."

Ray turned to Luca and said in a respectful tone, "Please see if you can help her."

He showed her such courtesy not only because she was Luke's woman but also because she might be the only one who could help Vivian. Luca was the only person Vivian trusted now. "I'll check on her first," replied Luca. Until this moment, she still did not know the exact details of Vivian's condition.

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside the bedroom.

"Vivian, I'm here." Luca looked at the woman lying on the bed with her back facing the door.

"I'm sorry for troubling you again, Luca," murmured Vivian. Her voice was low, tinged with sadness.

Luca walked over quietly, but instead of standing in front of her, she sat on the edge of the bed behind Vivian, giving Vivian space to compose herself.

"Vivian, you're not troubling me. We're friends, and friends don't think about things like that, do they?" Luca gently patted her shoulder.

Vivian's body trembled violently as though she had been startled.

"Sorry." Luca frowned. Vivian was in a fragile, hypersensitive state. She was deeply resistant to any contact with others. This was not a good sign.

Luca grew even more worried. Even when Vivian divorced Gordan, she had never been like this.

Why was this happening now?

She withdrew her hand, deciding to wait until Vivian was not as sensitive before speaking again.

"Luca, I look so ugly now." Vivian's voice trembled, thick with emotion. "I don't even know what happened. My skin had finally become fair again, but after returning to Russia, it suddenly darkened. Then, these horrible breakouts started. My whole face is covered in them. I look disgusting. I don't know why this is happening to me. What should I do?"

Luca frowned as she listened.

Vivian was spiraling into despair!

"Vivian, do you trust me?" Luca gently reached out her hand but stopped just above Vivian's shoulder without touching her.

"Are we really friends?" Vivian did not answer the question. Instead, she asked one of her OWII.

"Of course, we are. We're close friends," Luca reassured her gently.

Vivian had always had darker skin, so when people called her unattractive, she simply accepted it as a fact and did not take it too hard.

However, after finally seeing progress and watching her skin slowly improve, only to have it all taken away in an instant, it was understandable that she could not accept it.

"Luca, I'm scared..." Vivian's body trembled. "I'm afraid I'll end up like Mr. Crawford's mother..."

She had seen Allison's appearance in a video before, and the thought of her own condition worsening to that extent terrified her. If it really came to that, she would rather die...

"You won't. I haven't even seen you yet. How can you be so sure your condition will get that bad?" Luca comforted her, saying, "Vivian, I'm here to help you. Turn around and let me take a look, okay?"

Chapter 3458 Someone Poisoned Vivian Vivian's body moved slightly.

Luca patiently waited for her. After three minutes, Vivian sat up and turned around.

Luca frowned when she saw the condition of Vivian's face.

"Can I take a closer look?" asked Luca.

"Yes." Vivian nodded.

Luca turned on her phone's flashlight, moved closer, and carefully examined the small bumps on Vivian's skin.

Not only had her skin darkened, but a dense patch of tiny bumps had appeared. Luca assessed the situation and said, "It looks a bit like small toxic abscesses."

Vivian's lips trembled violently when she heard that.

Luca reassured her, "Don't be scared. Can I take some photos?"

"Okay." Vivian nodded.

Luca took a few photos with her phone and then asked, "By the way, you must have gone to the hospital for tests, right? Do you still have the reports?"

"They're with Ray," Vivian replied in a low voice.

After getting the test results, she had spent days and nights studying them. Still, she was not a doctor, and all she could do was search for answers online. However, she only found a long list of serious diseases.

Yet every doctor she consulted told her it was not any known skin condition.

Still unwilling to give up, Vivian kept analyzing the reports, refusing to eat or sleep. She was desperate to figure out what was happening to her face.

Ray had no choice but to take the reports away from her by force when he saw that.

"Alright, I'll ask Mr. Ray for them later." Luca gently touched one of the bumps on Vivian's face. "Does it hurt?"

"No." Vivian had long gotten used to these examinations. "Every time these bumps appear, they don't hurt or itch. But the way they show up is really strange.

"I've had acne before, and there's usually some warning, like redness or tenderness. But these just appear overnight-no pain or itchiness. They won't go away no matter what I do. In fact, they keep spreading."

Vivian recalled the first time she noticed them, and her voice was filled with frustration. Luca frowned.

Most skin conditions, including herpes, came with warning signs.

However, she was certain Vivian's case was not just an ordinary skin disease. If it were, the doctors would have already diagnosed and treated her.

"Did the doctors prescribe anything?" asked Luca, assuming Vivian had already sought medical help but had not received a clear diagnosis.

"Yes, they gave me some ointments, suggested light therapy, and even wanted me to take steroid medication. But aside from gaining weight, nothing helped at all." Vivian covered her face in distress.

The medication also affected her mood. She had been feeling utterly drained lately.

What she regretted most was returning to Russia.

"Luca, does this mean I can never go back to Russia?" asked Vivian.

She had been fine while in A City, so why did she become like this after going back to Russia?

Luca's heart skipped a beat as a thought suddenly crossed her mind.

"Vivian, listen to me. Don't be afraid. I'll do everything I can to help you," replied Luca. She took Vivian's hand and felt her pulse.

Her pulse was a little unsteady.

"Vivian, I think I have a lead. Don't overthink it. I'll help you. I promise. Just give me a little time, okay?"

Vivian's eyes welled up with tears. "Luca, are you just trying to comfort me?"

"I'm not." Luca placed her fingers on Vivian's other wrist to check her pulse again.

The results were similar to what she had just observed.

She withdrew her hand and reassured her, "Trust me. Everything will be okay."

"Alright, I trust you." Vivian smiled at her.

It was the first time she had smiled in a long while.

Noticing that Vivian seemed to be feeling a little better, Luca added, "For now, try not to go outside."

"Why?" Vivian asked, puzzled.

Luca's real concern was keeping her safe.

However, she could not say that directly. Instead, she explained casually, "Given your condition, it's best to avoid UV exposure. Even if you cover up completely, UV rays can still reach you, and that won't be good for your skin."

"Okay, I got it." Vivian nodded.

She took Luca's words to heart. If staying indoors was necessary, she would do it. As long as she could recover, being stuck in a hotel did not matter.

Vivian touched her face. With how she looked right now, going outside would only scare people. She recalled the hotel staff member who had been frightened by her that morning, and her expression darkened slightly.

"Get some rest. I'll go ask Mr. Ray for your medical records," said Luca.

"Alright." Vivian nodded.

Luca left the bedroom.

Ray, who had been waiting outside, immediately approached her.

"How is Vivian?" Ray asked anxiously.

"Mr. Ray, do you have all of her medical records from the past few weeks?" Luca asked, then emphasized, "I need all of them."

"I do..." Ray nodded and pulled out a neatly organized folder.

He had carefully organized Vivian's medical reports, compiling them into a dedicated folder with all the documents neatly arranged.

Luca took the folder, sat down on the couch, and started flipping through the documents. "I need to go through them thoroughly."

"Of course." Ray nodded.

Luca reviewed every page of Vivian's medical records.

Among the documents, she found numerous blood test reports, all of which showed normal results across various parameters.

"Do you have a record of the medications she was given?" asked Luca.

"Yes, it's at the back," answered Ray.

Luca nodded and continued flipping through the pages. After going through the entire folder, Luca let out a long sigh.

"What's the verdict?" asked Ray.

"You've had multiple medical experts review these reports, haven't you?" Though phrased as a question, Luca's tone was certain.

Ray nodded. "They all said everything looks normal."

"The reports look normal because they didn't check the right things," replied Luca.

"What other tests need to be done?" Ray had seen Vivian suffer too much already. When those specialists repeatedly wanted to draw more of her blood for further testing, he refused. Watching her go through tube after tube of blood being taken was unbearable.

Later, when different doctors requested the same tests, he simply handed them the previous reports. Even when they argued that the results might have changed over time or that different hospitals used different reference values, he ignored them.

Ray did not want more tests to be done on Vivian. He wanted them to cure Vivian, not keep draining her blood.

"Toxicology," said Luca.

Ray's expression darkened. "What are you saying?"

"We don't have to do it right now. But once I'm certain, we'll need to take Vivian to a proper hospital for specific toxicology tests," explained Luca.

"Are you saying that someone poisoned Vivian, and that's why her skin ended up like this?" A dangerous glint flashed across Ray's eyes.

Luca nodded. "I used traditional pulse diagnosis on Vivian and noticed something unusual."

Chapter 3459 A Longing That Fills the Space Between Them "I once treated someone who had been slowly poisoned over a long period of time. Their pulse was similar to Vivian's. Given that your family has good genetics, yet Vivian is different from the rest of you, and her skin improved after leaving her original environment, all of this confirms my suspicion.

"Could it be that someone in your family has been poisoning Vivian? That would explain why her skin ended up like this."

"If she really has been poisoned, then would staying away from that environment or identifying the person responsible help her get better?" asked Ray.

Luca shook her head.

"The poison I've encountered before was a slow-acting toxin that kept the victim's skin dark. I don't know exactly what it was, but long-term exposure to any poison has an effect on the body. It's just a suspicion now. I need to consult someone I know. And honestly, I can't be sure what's really causing Vivian's condition.

"Is her skin deteriorating so quickly because she was poisoned once more after returning to Russia? Or did the person who poisoned her realize that her skin was improving outside that environment and decide to increase the dosage? If she really has been poisoned, the toxin might have already caused irreversible damage to her body. We need to act fast."

Luca furrowed her brows. The thought of someone deliberately poisoning Vivian for over 20 years just to make her look worse was horrifying.

Was it the work of an enemy of their family? Or was there another reason?

Either way, that was not what she needed to focus on right now.

The most important thing was figuring out what was wrong with Vivian.

"Mr. Ray, do you have an electronic copy of her medical report?" asked Luca.

"Yes." Ray nodded. "Do you need it?"

"Yes, digital reports are more convenient. Could you send it to my email?" Luca then told him her email.

Ray took note of her email and nodded. "I need to organize the files first. Once I'm done, I'll send them over."

"Alright, thanks." Luca nodded. She glanced back toward Vivian's bedroom, wondering if she had overheard their conversation.

"Mr. Ray, since we're suspecting this, you should be extra careful. If you've brought any food or personal items from Russia, don't let her have them for now. I don't know if her condition will improve after leaving that environment, but one thing's certain-it can't be allowed to get any worse."

"Got it. I'll have someone go through everything right away." Ray agreed, seeing the logic in her suggestion.

Luca stood up. "I'll head back now. Please send me the reports as soon as possible."

"Wait a moment," replied Ray.

"What is it?" Luca looked at him, puzzled. "Is there something else?"

"There's someone who wants to see you." As Ray said that, a faint smile appeared on his lips. Luca's heart suddenly started pounding.

"Is it Luke?" Luca asked, but her instincts told her it could only be Luke.

"Yes, he's in that room. He knew you'd be coming today, so he arrived early this morning and has been waiting for you ever since. To make sure you could focus on treating Vivian, he stayed in another room the whole time without coming out," replied Ray.

A smile appeared on Luca's face. She thought she would not get to see him this time.

"Can I go see him now?" asked Luca.

"Of course. That's up to you two." Ray sat down on the couch, picked up his laptop, and started organizing Vivian's medical reports to send to Luca as soon as possible.

Vivian peeked her head out and walked over. She knew Luke had arrived and was waiting in the next room. Now that Luca had stepped away, she figured they had gone to see each other. She secretly let out a deep sigh and thought to herself that those two really had it rough. She walked over and sat beside Ray. "What are you doing?"

"Luca needs your medical reports. I'm organizing them to send to her," answered Ray. "Let me do it," offered Vivian.

"No need. I'll handle it. You should rest. I just spoke to Luca. Your condition is completely treatable, so don't lose hope, alright?" Ray reassured her.

Vivian had seen so many dermatologists over the years, and every single one had a different opinion. Yet not one of them had ever mentioned poisoning.

Even though Luca was not completely certain yet, Ray felt like she was on the right track.

Their family was powerful, especially in Russia, and they had made plenty of enemies. It had been that way since their grandfather's generation.

Hence, it was not impossible that someone had deliberately targeted Vivian.

However, the possibility that it had been happening since she was a child made Ray's expression darken. Whoever was behind this must have been hiding in the shadows for a long time. Also, why would someone go after Vivian and not him?

No matter how beautiful Vivian was, she would never inherit the family business. However, he would. That was his future.

Nonetheless, he was perfectly fine while Vivian was the one suffering.

Ray frowned. If this really was poisoning, he could not wrap his head around why Vivian was the target.

"You're not good at organizing reports. Let me do it." Vivian insisted, taking the laptop from his hands.

As his sister, she knew his personality all too well. If given the choice, he would rather fight a dozen men than sit down and organize files.

"Vivian..." Ray was worried that reviewing the reports would send her mind spiraling.

"Don't worry. I won't overthink it. You can relax," she reassured him.

"I've been obsessing over these reports for a while now. I know my way around them." As she spoke, she efficiently started sorting the files in order.

Luca stepped into the room and saw Luke sitting on the couch. A bright smile appeared on her face.

"Luke." She walked straight to him and embraced him.

Luke wrapped his arms around her, took in a deep breath, and murmured, "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too." Luca pulled back slightly, cupped his face in her hands, and kissed him.

She only meant for it to be a simple gesture to ease the longing in her heart, but instead, it ignited a fire in Luke. As he held her slender waist tightly, he deepened the kiss, unable to hold back anymore.

A wave of burning desire spread between them, fueled by their longing for each other. Reason was slowly consumed by the heat. Luca let out a soft whimper before finally pressing against his chest to stop him.

"No..." She gasped, breathless.

Luke's eyes were filled with deep yearning and longing for her. "I booked a suite next door." Luca let out a startled gasp. "That's too risky."

"Don't worry. I used Gale's ID," Luke reassured her. He would never put Luca in danger, so he made sure not to expose himself.

As far as everyone at T Corporation was concerned, except for Jason, they all believed he was on a business trip abroad. To make it even more convincing, he had arranged for a stand-in to board the flight in his place.

No one would suspect a thing.

Luca's cheeks flushed red. As adults, the meaning behind his words was clear, and there was no need for further explanation.

"Luca, I miss you so much." Luke kissed her forehead before gently brushing his lips against hers again.

Chapter 3460 Luke's Woman Is Definitely No Ordinary Person Luca's lips were already swollen and flushed from Luke's kisses.

That deep shade of red, reflected in Luke's eyes, was utterly captivating. It tugged at his nerves, stirring an uncontrollable desire within him.

At that moment, he had only one thought, and it was to completely lose himself in her.

The two of them stepped out of the bedroom.

Vivian quickly turned her back and greeted Luke when he saw him coming out, "Hello, Mr. Crawford."

"Vivian, don't worry. Everything will get better," replied Luke.

Vivian simply hummed in response.

Ray gave them a grateful nod as Luke took Luca's hand and led her away.

It was only after hearing the door close that Vivian finally turned back around.

Ray glanced at her and said, "Vivian, they're your friends. You don't have to act this way around them. They won't judge you."

"I know they won't..." Vivian let out a soft sigh. "I just feel like I look terrifying right now. I didn't want to scare them, so I avoided facing them directly. But it's okay. I trust Luca. She'll help me. Soon, I'll be able to live a normal life again."

Her eyes sparkled with hope. They were filled with faith in Luca.

Ray reached out and gently patted her head.

"Yeah, you'll get better soon," Ray reassured her. At this point, all they could do was put their trust in Luca.

Luke's woman was definitely no ordinary person.

Luke swiped the keycard and led Luca into the suite next door.

The moment the door shut behind them, the two who longed desperately for each other became entangled once again. Every touch and movement spoke of the love and yearning they had been bottling up for too long.

Their bodies pressed tightly together, and after their passion finally reached its peak, they lay there, utterly exhausted. Every fiber of their being was overcome with a deep, lingering satisfaction.

"I missed you so much." Luke intertwined their fingers and placed a tender kiss on the back of her hand.

Luca's cheeks were red, and she leaned lazily against his chest. "I missed you too. I just wish we could resolve all of this quickly. Then, the kids and I could finally go back to you."

The lingering glow in her eyes mesmerized him, pulling him deeper under her spell.

There were millions of people in this world, but only Luca had ever been able to hold his heart so tightly.

Luke clasped her hand, intertwining their fingers even more firmly as though he was telling her how deeply he longed for her through his touch.

"Just a little longer. Then we'll be together again as a family," replied Luke.

Luca smiled, her expression warm and radiant.

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. She reached for her phone beside the bed.

Ray had already sent over Vivian's medical reports. She took a quick look at them before setting the phone back down.

Luke asked, "What exactly is wrong with Vivian?"

"I suspect she's been poisoned, just like what happened to my mom back then. Leia had given her a slow-acting poison, which wouldn't kill her right away, but it would gradually weaken her body, causing all sorts of health issues. If it had gone undetected for longer, my mom's body might have eventually broken down, and there was a high chance she would've died from it." Luca paused for a moment.

Even now, thinking back to those days filled her with fear.

She was lucky she had insisted on checking Queenie's pulse back then. If she had not, who knew what kind of state Queenie would be in now?

Perhaps she would not have even survived that year.

"I suspect the same thing is happening to Vivian. Someone has been feeding her a slow- acting poison for over 20 years. They probably didn't expect her skin to start regaining its natural tone after she stopped taking the poison. So, when she returned to Russia, they increased the dosage, which led to her current condition."

Luca laid out her theory before voicing the question that had been bothering her, "But there's something I don't understand. Why target only Vivian?"

Luke frowned, clearly deep in thought.

She continued, "You once told me that Vivian's skin started changing when she was very young, but no doctor could ever diagnose the cause. I suspect she has been poisoned since she was a child. But what kind of grudge could anyone hold against a little girl? If someone was targeting her family, why only poison Vivian? Why is Ray completely unharmed?" "You're uncertain because of that inconsistency?" asked Luke.

Luca shook her head. "Not exactly. Vivian's pulse does show something unusual. But what I'm still unsure about is the reason for the bumps on her skin. That's why I want Shanks to take a look.

"I suspect they're toxic abscesses. They might not be dangerous just from touch, but if they rupture, the fluid inside could cause widespread skin decay and infections. It could even spread to anyone who comes into contact with it. If it's really something that vicious, only Shanks can treat Vivian."

Luke pulled her into his arms.

"I haven't told Ray about any of this yet. I don't want him and Vivian to panic unnecessarily. Don't let anything slip either. I'll only bring it up once I'm certain," said Luca.

"Alright," Luke agreed. "Thank you for going through all this trouble."

"As long as it has to do with you, I don't mind doing as much as I have to. Besides, we need Ray's help with our own situation. Helping Vivian is beneficial to us too, don't you think?"

asked Luca.

Luke nodded and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Luca wrapped her arms around him.

They lingered in each other's embrace for a long while, too reluctant to part. When Luca checked the time and remembered Vivian's condition, she forced herself to say goodbye.

Luke could not walk her out, so he could only watch as she left.

Luca took a cab back to the villa.

As soon as she arrived, Gerald greeted her and took the bags from her hands. "Ms. Craw, thank you for taking the time to buy these even when you're so busy."

Instead of responding to his gratitude, Luca asked, "Where's Mr. Shanks?"

"Mr. Shanks is definitely in the lab," Gerald replied cheerfully, glancing at the packs of cigarettes in the bag with satisfaction.

These would last him a long time.

Luca nodded and asked, "Is the herbal medicine ready?"

"It's done. Don't worry. I made sure Ms. Sanchez drank it, and I also removed the needles from both her and the patient. Everything you instructed, I've taken care of," Gerald replied with a grin. Compared to the terrifying tasks on the Island of Despair, what Luca asked of him was a hundred times easier.

"Good job. There's an extra pack of cigarettes in there-consider it a reward," Luca replied before heading into the living room.

"Thank you, Ms. Craw!" Gerald was overjoyed.

An extra pack of cigarettes? That would be too good!

Sitting in the first-floor living room, Hera overheard their conversation and raised an eyebrow.

She had tried to give Gerald luxury gifts, but not only did he refuse them, he even told her not to get him into trouble.

Yet now, just because Luca gave him an extra pack of cigarettes, he was acting like he had won the lottery?

Were luxury goods not worth way more than a pack of cigarettes?

For a moment, Hera felt that Gerald was seriously unappreciative.

As Luca headed upstairs, Gerald was about to follow when Hera suddenly called out to him."

Gerald, wait a moment."

Gerald froze for a second when he heard his name. He then turned to Hera and asked, "Yes?" "Come here." Hera beckoned him with a curl of her finger.