Chapter 3
Yetta had seen this coming, and a smirk crept onto her face. This was exactly why she had let Lillion bring the dog along- she hoped it would create quite a soche,
But Yolanda wasn’t having any of it. She linked arms with Bradley and spoke up for Lillian, Tm okay with it, Dad. Lillian just got back and doesn’t know the house yet, so having the dog keep her company is a good idea.”
Bradley smiled, appreciating Yolanda’s understanding.
“Carol, take Lillian upstairs and help her get familiar with the hose,” Yolanda called to a servant..
Carol nodded and began to show Lillian around. “This is Ms. Yolanda Wilson’s room. Ms. Mindly Wilson’s room is on the right.
“Mr. Mike Wilson is on the third floor but is currently abroad. He doesn’t like anyone touching his things, so unless it’s really necessary, it’s best to keep your distance.”
The trophies on the wall all belong to Ms. Mindy Wilson. She’s math whiz and has been winning awards since she was little.
“She skipped a grade to go to high school and even got accepted early into Jerisburg University. Don’t touch her trophies: she’s got a real temper.
“This vase is also valuable. Mr. Bradley Wilson bought it at an auction. Be careful.
“You grew up in the countryside, so she might not know that M Yolanda Wilson is an amazing jewelry designer and will soon join Lewis Group, becoming-
“Shut up. Lillian interrupted, feeling irritated.
Carol paused and glanced at her. “What did you say?”
She had heard Lillian, but since Lillian’s voice was soft, she thought Lillian was too scared to talk loud in the fancy Wilson residence. So, Carol asked her again on purpose, wanting to see if Lillian would speak up
Lillian stopped, turned her head, and gave Carol a cold stare. “I said, shut up.”
Instantly, Carol’s face flushed red.
“Which room?” Lillian asked, her voice icy cold.
Despite working for the favored Yolanda, Carol didn’t feel she could overstep her bounds. With a growing sense of resentment, she pointed deeper into the hallway. That one.”
Lillian’s tone was slow, but her words were cutting. “Even if you served an emperor, you’d still just be a servant. And the one you’re serving is just a fake, and I’m the real one. Maybe try boosting your brain a bit. Now, get lost
Carol stood frozen in place, her eyes wide with anger. Lillian cradled General in one arm, gently rubbing his fluffy belly as she walked towards the door.
Ouce inside her room, Lillian casually glanced around, then set General on the sofa. She started rummaging through her backpack and pulled out a heavy old phone. Just as she turned it on and finished reading two emails, a call came in.
“Thank goodness, you turned your phone on! Your house finally got power, huh? I thought you were dead” Yale Fairchild exclaimed, grinding his teeth.
Lillian’s voice was flat. “If it’s not important, I’m hanging up.”
1/4
12:45
Chapter 3
Tue, Dec 31
“Wait!” Yale said fast. I just–beard that the guy who tried to blow you up in Neragion isn’t dead, but he’s not doing much better than you. He’s looking for Magic Surgeon to save his life.
“He’s keeping it under wraps because if the word gets out. Neragion would go into chaos. It would be wild to witness such a historic fallout.”
“He’s a tough one, isn’t he?” Lillian’s eyes flickered with a hint of age. She pulled out a bottle of pills, popped a few into her mouth, and went over to the water cooler in the comer to wash them down.
She stared out at the garden through the window, rubbing her temples as a slight headache crept in. The empty cupp crushed in her hand, and her pale face barely hid her anger.
Yale kicked his legs up on the table and said. “He’s seeking your help, Magic Surgeon. Why not just show up and take him out on the operating table?” He made a throat–slitting gesture for emphasis.
Lillian replied, “Ruin my reputation for someone like him? Besides, I don’t have time to deal with him right now.”
Yale shrugged. “Well, there’s indeed no need to go through all that trouble. If he’s been looking for help for so long, it means the bullet is still inside him–at least no one can take it out
“As long as you don’t step in to save him, or he doesn’t take a crazy risk with a heart transplant, it’s only a matter of time before he bites the dust. Let’s just wait and see
“It’s not certain who’s going to die first,” Lillian responded.
Yale’s carefree expression gradually shifted to serious. But a moment later, he grinned and joked, “You’ve struck lucky, and even the Grim Reaper has to bypass you.”
While Yale seemed worried and anxious, Lillian remained calm How’s Henry doing with his surgery practice?”
“He’s practicing day and night, running through different scenarios and responses with several doctors. I’m really worried he might wear himself out before he gets to operate on you. Maybe you should talk to him,” Yale said
Doctors couldn’t
It operate on themselves. Even as the Magic Surgeon, Lillian had to count on others to keep hope alive.
After hanging up, Lillian took out her usual phone to call Zoey and tell her she was okay.
Knowing that Bradley would take Lillian to a major hospital tomorrow eased Zoey’s worries. “Oh, Professor Kevin Smith and his grandson Zack came looking for you again. They refused to leave without seeing you,” Zoey added.
Just ignore them, Lillian replied. Just as the chat was over, she got a WhatsApp call. She answered casually, but the person on the other end stayed silent.
“Not saying anything? I’m hanging up,” she said, and without hesitation, she ended the call.
The other person quickly texted: [Did you make it to Jerisburg?)
Lillian replied reluctantly: [Yeah.]
The person sent several photos and a location pin. The last message read: [I’ll wait for you.]
Lillian scrolled through the pictures, grumbling playfully, “Whata careless kid. He asks me out without even asking if I’m free or if I want to. He doesn’t even set a time.”
But figuring playing with a claw machine sounded like fun, and with nothing else to do, she decided to go out. She grabbed a few sticks of beef jerky and left with General in his arms
12:45 Tue, Dec 31
Chapter 3
Bradley sat in the marsen, his bowl and fork untouched. The servant came in and told him Lillian had left.
Yetta commented, “She’s really impolite. We’re all waiting for her to eat, and she just leaves without saying anything”
Yolanda’s brow furrowed with worry as she gazed out into the encroaching darkness. “It’s dark already, and it’s Lillian’s firs time in Jerisburg. Will she be okay?”
But deep down, a flicker of unease danced in her heart as she recalled what Carol had said about Lillian’s words, “Besides, you’re serving a fake heiress, I’m the real one.
Yetta chuckled softly. “What could possibly happen? She’s used to creating chaos in the countryside–skipping classes and disappearing for long stretches. Don’t worry; she won’t get lost.”
Bradley remained blank–faced. “Let’s eat,”
Lillian hopped into a cab and headed to a mall. From a distance he spotted a little guy waiting at the entrance, dressed very formally.
The kid. Jesse Lewis, shifted his weight, wanting to step forward and welcome Lillian. But then he hesitated, waiting shyly with eager anticipation. As she approached, he quickly handed her a beautifully wrapped box
Lillian accepted it, raising an eyebrow. “For me?”
“Yeah,” Jesse nodded, his gaze drifting to General in Lillian’s arts
Lillian gave General to him. “He won’t bite.”
Not far away in a white Bentley, the bodyguard, Willie Lewis, stared intently from the driver’s seat. He almost jumped out to take the dog but hesitated, worried about upsetting Jesse. Reluctantly, he stayed put.
With her hands free, Lillian opened the gift right in front of Jesse–inside was a box of chocolates. She picked one up tasted it. “You sure know how to treat someone, kiddo.”
Jesse held General and, hearing her praise, shyly pursed his lips
Lillian looked Jesse over, noting his small shirt and bowtie. She couldn’t help but tease, “You’re dressed like a little gentleman, aren’t you?”
The “little gentleman” gazed up at her, his eyes innocent.
Lillian popped a piece of chocolate into his mouth. “Did you come here all by yourself?”
and
Jesse glanced over at the Bentley. Following his gaze, Lillian spotted the luxury car. She wasn’t really impressed; in Jerisburg. it was common to see wealth everywhere.
She shrugged. “As long as there’s an adult with you, it’s fine. Have you checked out the place yet?
“Yeah!” Jesse nodded enthusiastically.
“Good. Let’s go in.” Lillian moved forward, and Jesse, holding General, hurried along, trying to keep up with his little legs.
12:45
