Chapter 005

Just like that, Ethan was taken advantage of by Claire again.

She moved so fast he didn't even have time to refuse.

Ethan instinctively raised his hand and lightly touched his lips, recalling that soft, sweet, feather-light kiss.

When Daniel came in from outside, that was the scene he witnessed.

"What's wrong? Are your lips bothering you?"

Daniel asked, puzzled.

Only then did Ethan snap back to reality. He lowered his hand. "Nothing."

He maneuvered his wheelchair out of the sleeping area.

Daniel didn't think much of it. He took out his medical tools, sat down on the sofa, and began examining Ethan.

Ethan had slept well last night, but Daniel hadn't slept at all. He'd spent the whole night thinking about that shocking scene.

Now, examining Ethan's body, Daniel was stunned all over again.

Daniel looked at Ethan in disbelief. "Your sleep quality last night was that good? You slept a full eight hours. Deep sleep should've been over seven hours. That's the most relaxed, best sleep you've had since you were poisoned."

Over the years, he'd tried every method to help Ethan sleep. But Ethan could never fall asleep. Even with sleeping pills, he'd only manage two or three hours at most.

Now, just lying on Claire's lap, he'd slept this well?

How did Claire do it?

Leo and Max were equally thrilled, nearly in tears. Mr. Yost could finally get a good night's sleep.

Ethan recalled last night's events. "She massaged me for a bit. No more than five minutes total. Then she had me drink a cup of hot water, and then I… fell asleep."

He couldn't bring himself to say "lying on her lap."

Daniel instinctively felt the massage and hot water weren't the reason.

He asked Ethan, "Could there be some scent on her? A scent that made you feel at ease?"

Ethan nodded slightly. "She does have a kind of fresh fragrance. Not sweet, not cloying. Like a tea fragrance or maybe medicinal."

"Whatever the scent is, since she can help you sleep, let's keep her around for now. I'll study her scent. If I can't buy it, I'll hire a perfumer to recreate it."

Daniel was beyond excited.

Since there was a way to help Ethan sleep, no matter how difficult, he had to try.

Ethan smiled bleakly. "Forget it. Don't waste your effort. I've got three years left at most. What's the point of sleeping so much?"

He still had so much to do. He couldn't waste it all on sleep.

Daniel wasn't having it. "Ethan, don't be so defeatist. I can't cure the poison in your body, but Dr. Quinn definitely can. She's called the Miracle Hands of Surgery. She's mastered medical techniques from multiple countries and specializes in rare and difficult cases. I've already contacted Unity Alliance. Finding her is just a matter of months. I won't let you give up, you hear me?"

Dr. Quinn was the most mysterious figure in the international medical community. Rumor had it she could pull people back from the brink of death.

Ethan's condition would surely be nothing to her.

The problem was, she hadn't appeared in the past two years. No one knew where she was.

Daniel had no choice but to turn to Unity Alliance.

Unity Alliance was one of the most mysterious organizations in the world. Its leader was even more mysterious—no one knew who they were. All anyone knew was that the alliance gathered top talent from every field.

Marcus, currently the world's number one hacker, came from Unity Alliance.

Daniel contacted Unity Alliance and asked Marcus to help find Dr. Quinn.

……

Meanwhile, Claire returned to her room.

She first sent a message to a friend: [Saskia, are you there?]

The next second, Saskia's video call came through.

Claire answered.

On the screen, Saskia reclined on a chaise lounge, wearing a tight, low-cut bright red dress. Half of her full, snow-white breasts were exposed. Combined with her lazy demeanor and seductive gaze, just one look was enough to make anyone go weak.

Saskia was the vice leader of Unity Alliance.

"Hello, my Claire. What made you think of contacting me?"

As Saskia spoke, she blew Claire a flirtatious look.

Before Claire could say anything, Saskia noticed the background had changed. It was no longer the Sullivan family's basement.

"You got out of the Sullivan family?"

Claire nodded. "Yes. I've cut ties with the Sullivan family."

Claire's casual statement shocked Saskia. She shot up from the sofa, her chest bouncing like two small mountains with the movement.

"Good riddance! I told you ages ago the Sullivan family never truly cared about you. Even if they raised you for seventeen years, just those few major projects you gave them—letting them enter high society in just one year and develop so well—you've more than repaid any debt you owed them."

Claire lowered her eyes slightly.

She thought of her past life. Saskia had urged her this way more than once. But she couldn't let go of the Sullivan family's so-called affection. She'd devoted herself wholeheartedly to helping them. In the end, she'd angered Saskia so much that Saskia didn't speak to her for a long time. Even before her death, she hadn't earned Saskia's forgiveness.

Seeing Claire's silence, Saskia asked worriedly, "What's wrong? Did that family bully you again?"

Claire shook her head. "No. Since I've cut ties with them, they won't be able to bully me anymore. In fact, I'm going to make them pay."

"Make them pay?" Saskia didn't understand what she meant.

Claire didn't want to talk about her past life. She quickly changed the subject. "Saskia, I'm contacting you because I need your help with something."

Saskia pretended to be offended. "Claire, that's not right. Do you really need to be so polite with me? Whatever it is, just say it!" Her tone was bold and straightforward.

Claire said, "It's like this. I need a medicinal herb right now—Skygrass. It's very important to me. I'll pay any price, but I need it quickly."

With that herb（A rare and unusual plant）, she could clear the toxins from Ethan's body and help him stand again.