Chapter 2 Physical Examination

Vivian's eyes turned red, her voice choked with sobs. "These three years, we've been searching everywhere for you. You have no idea how worried I've been..."

Tears started falling as she spoke, her pitiful look touching all the guests around her.

"It was because of you that I got kidnapped by those people back then," Evie cut in coldly. "Vivian, you owe me an apology!"

Vivian's body stiffened, tears falling even harder, her soft frame trembling lightly. "Evie, I know you hate me. Forget an apology—even if you want me to kneel, I'm willing!"

As she said that, Vivian started to kneel, but Jasper next to her quickly pulled her up and held her in his arms.

Jasper frowned. "Evie, that's enough! Vivian's had a hard time these years too. She has nightmares every night and lives with guilt. What more do you want from her?"

Evie laughed like it was the biggest joke. "Her guilt means living in my house and stealing my fiancé?"

With that, Evie's eyes landed on the ring fingers of Vivian and Jasper—matching sparkling diamond couple rings.

Jasper followed her gaze and looked down, feeling guilty as he hid his hand behind his back.

"This... Evie, don't get the wrong idea."

The guests' whispers grew louder. Some secretly took photos with their phones, others live-reported the drama in family chats.

Vivian's mother—the woman Evie had called mom for over twenty years—Margaret stepped out from the crowd.

"Evie, we're all happy you're back safe," she said, her eyes complicated with pity and guilt, but mostly on guard.

Three years ago, when the Vance family learned Evie had been kidnapped by a gang, they immediately raised money to go abroad and rescue her.

Even though Evie wasn't their biological daughter, she'd been raised with them for over twenty years, so there were feelings there.

Right before leaving, Vivian cracked under pressure and told everyone the truth: it wasn't her who offended the local gang boss, but Evie who had a secret illegal deal with them.

The deal fell through, leading to Evie's kidnapping.

Margaret didn't believe it at first, but after checking, they found several suspicious transfers in Evie's account. She had no choice but to believe.

After discussion, the Vance family decided Evie brought it on herself and worried the scandal would hurt their reputation.

No matter how much it hurt, they chose to cut her loose.

They never expected Evie to come back alive three years later.

"But in your situation now, you probably carry all kinds of viruses. We can't risk the whole family getting infected—"

"If you keep saying I'm sick, then show the proof," Evie interrupted.

Vivian wiped her tears and said softly, "Sister, Mom didn't mean it that way. You just came back from a place like that, so we're worried. What if you really have something? Better to treat it early, right?"

Evie sneered. "I'll ask one thing: what makes you so sure I'm sick? I can go to the hospital right now for a checkup to prove I'm fine."

Margaret hesitated.

Vivian bit her lip and whispered, "Mom, I remember Jasper's cousin is a doctor. He can check her out—he'll know if sister's sick."

Jasper nodded right away. "Vivian's right. James will know!"

He shouted toward the back of the crowd, "James!"

The crowd parted to make a path.

A man walked out from the villa.

The man had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his strong, tall build intimidating. He wore a simple white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off a muscular forearm.

His features were sharp and stern, his eyes carrying a commanding air that demanded respect.

Evie saw the man and felt a brief daze.

She remembered him—Jasper's cousin, James Rockefeller.

The Rockefeller family had been in business for generations, and James was their golden boy, a rare genius. At age ten, the family named him the next heir.

But at sixteen, he firmly chose to study medicine. He graduated with a PhD from a top overseas med school at twenty, then returned home to start his own hospital and gained a big reputation in the field.

When she and Jasper were about to get married, she'd met him. She only knew he had a weird temper, held grudges, and once someone offended him with a single sentence—that person vanished from A City forever.

For a long time, people in their circle said: offend anyone but James.

James walked over now, his gaze pausing on Evie for a second, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Cousin, check her out," Jasper said.

Vivian quickly chimed in, "James, thanks for helping."

James didn't even glance at them, his tone ice-cold. "Am I your family doctor? What makes you think I have to help?"

Jasper looked awkward and begged softly, "Cousin, I got carried away. This is urgent, and no one else here can do it. Please help, I beg you."

James snorted coldly, then said flatly to Evie, "Extend your hand."

Evie didn't move. She knew Vivian wasn't trying to clear her name—she just wanted to humiliate her in public, let everyone see she really was sick.

That way, they could kick her out without guilt.

Seeing that, Vivian started her routine again. "Sister, just let James check. He's the best. If you're really fine, everyone will relax, and you won't have to explain anymore..."

"Is she feeling guilty?" someone muttered.

"Definitely guilty, or why refuse the check?"

Evie heard the words and finally raised her hand, offering it to James.

James took her wrist gently, like handling fragile porcelain.

He checked her arm joints and skin.

The crisscross scars were right there, but he acted like he didn't see them, his expression unchanged.

"Open your mouth."

Evie did.

James looked at her mouth, then reached to her ear, lightly pressing behind it.

The yard was dead silent, everyone holding their breath watching.

A few minutes later, James pulled back, his face still neutral.

"No disease."

The words were light, but they hit like a stone in still water.

"No way," Jasper said first, not believing it. "Bro, did you check carefully?"

"Are you the doctor or am I?" James glanced at him, tone neutral.

Jasper was speechless.

Vivian's face changed slightly, then she forced a smile. "Of course James checked carefully, but... sister came from a place like that. Even if no disease now, what if she carries viruses? Don't those have incubation periods?"

James looked at her, his gaze cold and sharp.

"Incubation periods have symptoms too. She has none."

The smile froze on Vivian's face.