“I’m just an assistant,” Noelle said as the elevator stopped at the basement level. Outside, a black business car was waiting. “The real leader of the project team is Faye. She’s Mr. Lockridge’s wife and... pregnant.”

The last three words were the highlight of her explanation.

The director, who had initially planned to escort her to the car, instantly lost his enthusiasm. He mumbled a clumsy excuse about needing to do patient rounds and quickly turned to leave.

Noelle smiled helplessly.

She thought, The world is just so ridiculous and pragmatic.

The director had tried to curry favor with her, assuming she had some improper connections with Callum. But in reality, once this project was successfully completed, she might immediately be promoted to the position of deputy director.

What was this? A comical twist of fate?

She got into the car, rubbing her temples, which were sore from tension. She hadn’t slept well the night before, and the gentle rocking of the car made her drowsy. She closed her eyes to rest.

When they arrived at the hotel arranged by the city, Noelle saw over a dozen men and women in black formal attire gathered in small groups. Some were leaning against the doors, while others stood on the steps, scanning their surroundings. Among them was Dr. Stephen, casually leaning against the door.

Back in Frosthaven, Noelle had a bit of fame in the medical community. However, now that she was back in Mirage City, her youth made her an anomaly in a field that valued seniority above all else. Like a lone koi swimming in a vast river, she could easily be swept away by the waves.

When she stepped out of the car, the others continued chatting amongst themselves. A few casual glances swept over her, but no one paid her any attention.

Noelle didn’t mind. She pulled out her phone and contacted her mentor back in Frosthaven.

The contact name read: Stephen Alrena.

Nearby, a middle-aged man with some authority sighed, “I heard Dr. Stephen is retiring soon. What a pity! I was hoping to attend one of her lectures. Now I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”

“Same here!” A younger female doctor chimed in, her face flushed with excitement. “But I heard that Dr. Stephen’s mysterious final disciple has come to Mirage City. If we could meet her, that would truly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

The middle-aged man looked even more dejected. “She’s practically a legend. Even Dr. Stephen herself said in an interview that her disciple is a miracle in the medical field—born to be a doctor. But her whereabouts are so unpredictable. No one has ever seen her true face; they just know she’s a woman.”

The young doctor nodded eagerly, then started calculating on her fingers. “If you think about it, considering her skills and experience, she must be at least... around forty years old?”

The middle-aged man nodded in agreement.

Noelle found their conversation amusing and sent a message to Dr. Stephen: Professor, someone guessed that I’m already forty years old.

About three or four minutes later, Dr. Stephen replied: Elliot found me, Noey. There are some things you need to reconsider.

Noelle’s eyes turned cold as she stared at the name “Elliot Whitmore” on the screen. Her grip on the phone tightened, her knuckles turning pale.

At the same time, the crowd suddenly surged in one direction, moving noisily like a wave.

Faye had arrived.

The young woman, barely in her twenties, was practically being showered with adoration by these so-called pioneers in medicine. They flattered her endlessly, each one trying to outdo the other.

Earlier, the hotel manager had refused to check anyone in. The sole reason? Faye hadn’t arrived yet. Naturally, everyone was expected to wait for her.

Noelle had no interest in joining the commotion. She turned and headed toward the front desk, planning to wait there to check in.

But to her surprise, Faye spotted her through the crowd in an instant.

Like a child reuniting with a long-lost relative, Faye joyfully ran over to her. She clung to Noelle’s arm, smiling sweetly and looking utterly adorable.

“Dr. Hartwell, can I stay with you?” Faye asked sweetly. “I’m scared of the dark. Callum booked the presidential suite for me on the top floor, but he can’t stay at the hotel with me all the time. Please, pretty please, okay?”

She had quite the knack for being coquettish.

Noelle wanted to refuse at first.

But after thinking it over, she realized that upsetting this little princess might lead to complaints to Callum, making her goal of buying back her villa even more uncertain and complicated.

“Sis Hartwell, please~” Faye clung to her arm, swaying side to side.

The young woman had such a delicate and fair appearance. Her playful charm was so saccharine that Noelle had to admit—even as a woman—she felt a shiver go down her spine.

“Sis Hartwell...”

Faye was practically pressing her whole body against her.

Noelle calmly pushed her away and took a step back. “Fine, I’ll agree. But I’m not used to being so close with people I don’t know well. I hope you can understand, Miss Moon.”

“No problem! Once we live together, we’ll get to know each other quickly!”

After lunch, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

There was a team tea break scheduled for the afternoon.

Noelle had planned to take a nap to make up for her lack of sleep, but any hope of rest was dashed by Faye’s video call with Callum.

Outside in the living room, Faye’s laughter was as clear and crisp as silver bells, free of any blemish.

“Teacher, what do you think about this dress for the tea break this afternoon?” she asked.

“It looks nice,” Callum’s deep and melodious voice replied, as smooth and intoxicating as aged wine.

“No, no, it’s too old-fashioned,” Faye chirped. “And does it make my baby bump noticeable?”

“It won’t. You’re only three weeks along. Don’t worry.”

Callum’s patience was remarkable. During work hours, no less, he set everything aside just to humor and praise her, his effort genuine and wholehearted.

Inside the room, Noelle sighed silently.

She remembered when she was in college—no matter how urgent her call to him was, he rarely answered. Even when he did, the conversation barely lasted a few sentences before he hung up.

A sudden cramp in her abdomen, a familiar pain from her period, jolted Noelle out of her thoughts. She needed to go to the bathroom.

Only then did she realize that the en suite bathroom was in the master bedroom, not her secondary room.

To use the bathroom, she’d have to walk through the living room and inevitably appear on Faye’s video call.

Just as she was about to open the door, Faye’s voice rang out, “Teacher, guess who I’m staying with?”

Noelle’s hand paused on the door handle.

“Dr. Hartwell!” Faye exclaimed. “Isn’t that amazing? The moment I arrived at the hotel, we bumped into each other. She loves staying with me!”

Her words had a subtle undertone of mischief.

Noelle’s cramps were worsening, and she could feel a sticky mess below. She was certain her pants had been stained with blood.

Callum’s voice sank. “She wanted to stay with you?”

Of course.

Noelle bent over slightly, her back stiff as a drawn bow. Her forehead pressed against the cold door, and she braced herself against the searing pain that always accompanied the first day of her cycle.

Faye giggled. “No, no, I’m scared of the dark, so I begged Sis Hartwell to stay with me. Don’t blame her for being nice to me!”

“Is that so?”

Clearly, Callum didn’t believe a word.

A sudden rush of blood below made it impossible for Noelle to wait any longer. She pushed the door open and hurried toward the bathroom.

The video call fell silent for a moment.

Bang!

The bathroom door slammed shut.

Callum chuckled coldly. “So the motive wasn’t just about staying together.”

“Teacher, don’t say that about Sis Hartwell!” Faye replied with feigned innocence.

Callum’s tone softened. “Alright, I have a meeting to attend. Should I hang up now?”

He even phrased it as a question, as though considerate of who should end the call first.

Noelle let out a bitter laugh.

She remembered when she was the one who had always been so cautious, so considerate of his every little need.

After the tea break, Noelle’s cramps were almost unbearable.

Sanitary pads were available at the hotel, but painkillers could only be purchased from a pharmacy outside.

She informed Faye before leaving the room.

However, she hadn’t walked far before she saw Callum stepping out of the elevator. He was holding a small paper bag with a pharmacy’s logo on it.