The atmosphere turned icy.

Carys pressed a hand against her racing heart and cautiously shifted where she sat.

"Y... you're awake?"

The man's eyes remained open, but he neither moved nor made a sound.

Tentatively, Carys reached out and covered his eyes with her hand. His eyelashes brushed lightly against her palm.

Evren slowly closed his eyes.

She immediately rolled off him and sat at the bedside, drenched in cold sweat. Then she used her sleeve to carefully wipe away every trace of lipstick from his face before guiltily pulling the blanket up to cover him completely.

He still did not wake up.

Only then did Carys convince herself that she must have imagined it.

And that sound she heard earlier was probably just a hallucination from exhaustion.

She sat beside the bed for a long time.

The night deepened.

In the second half of the night, she covered her mouth and yawned repeatedly before eventually falling asleep.

That night, she once again dreamed of the chaotic events from many years ago.

She turned over in her sleep, completely missing the moment when the man opened his eyes again.

By morning, the room was bright.

Carys was awakened by a burst of commotion. She blinked groggily.

India stood beside the bed holding a basin.

"Young Madam, please help the Young Master wash up and wipe down his body."

"I have to do it?"

"Of course."

"Then who was doing it before? He's been unconscious for a month."

"The caregiver, naturally. But no outsider can compare to his own wife."

Her tone left no room for discussion.

Still dressed in her bright red wedding attire, Carys pursed her lips helplessly and accepted the towel from India. After wringing out the water, she gently wiped the man's handsome face.

His eyes remained closed.

Not even his eyelashes moved.

So last night's incident really had been an illusion.

Unable to ignore his striking features, Carys's cheeks turned bright red.

Standing beside her, India supervised as she carefully wiped his brows, eyes, lips, neck, and chest.

Inch by inch.

The towel passed over every part of him, her fingertips brushing along as well.

"The Young Master likes cleanliness. Make sure you do a thorough job. Afterward, you'll need to massage his entire body to prevent muscle atrophy. Taking care of him requires attention to detail."

India's sharp gaze made it impossible for Carys to cut corners.

She could only remind herself that Evren was simply another patient.

Just like those she had treated before.

Once she thought of it that way, her movements became much more professional.

India nodded in approval.

Holding his wrist, Carys carefully spread apart his fingers and wiped them one by one. Evren's hands were pale and elegant, with long fingers and distinct knuckles.

They were beautiful.

"Hm?"

The pulse beneath her fingertips beat with surprising strength.

Carys let out a puzzled sound.

"What's wrong?" India asked.

Carys shook her head.

India calmly glanced at her.

"You and the Young Master are legally married now. I've been through this myself. Be a little more natural."

She wrung out another towel and handed it over.

"There's still the lower half."

The lower half?

The redness on Carys's face spread like a blazing sunset.

He's a patient.

Just a patient.

Gideon had once told her that a great physician treats illness with a calm mind and a pure heart, free from desire or distraction.

She had to view every patient as nothing more than wood and stone.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly.

Clutching the towel, she cautiously slid her hand beneath the blanket and moved downward from the man's abdomen. Even through the thin fabric, she could feel the contours of firm muscle.

Dazed, she found herself thinking that this man's appearance and physique were truly exceptional.

Perfect for practicing acupuncture.

Suddenly—

A cool hand grabbed her wrist.

A faint but firm male voice sounded beside her ear, carrying a trace of annoyance.

"No need... no need... to wash below."

Crash!

The basin slipped from India's hands and crashed to the floor.

After standing frozen for a moment, she screamed and ran out of the room.

"Madam! The Young Master is awake!"

Evren...

Awake?

Carys's heartbeat sped up.

She stood and turned toward the man on the bed.

Those obsidian-like eyes held both coldness and embarrassment as they stared directly at her.

Still clutching the towel, her voice grew weaker.

"I... I was only following India's instructions and helping you wash up."

"Last night."

Evren's voice was hoarse.

His gaze remained cold.

Word by word, he accused her.

"You secretly kissed me. Many times."

Carys froze.

At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to find a wall and bang her head against it.

...

Chaotic footsteps echoed through the corridor.

The entire villa erupted into activity.

Soon, the bedroom was crowded with doctors in white coats, and everyone else was pushed outside.

Carys let out a slow breath and stood in a corner, staring at the closed bedroom door.

At last.

She no longer had to face Evren alone.

"Madam has arrived."

"Madam."

The crowd in the hallway parted.

A graceful woman dressed in a simple qipao approached.

She looked at Carys.

This was Evren's biological mother, Jane Arledge, the Second Madam of the Arledge Family.

Instinctively, Carys straightened her back.

She felt nervous.

"You're wonderful."

Jane grabbed her hands and said repeatedly,

"Evren waking up is entirely thanks to you."

Who would have thought desperate measures could actually work?

Removing the luxurious diamond bracelet from her wrist, Jane slipped it onto Carys's arm.

"Madam, this is far too valuable!"

"Enough, no more refusing."

Jane patted her hand.

"Consider it a gift from me."

Carys pressed her dry lips together and forced out a smile.

"Mrs. Arledge, I'm not really from the Norwood Family..."

"I know."

Jane's expression remained calm.

"Malcolm Norwood sent over a stepdaughter because he thinks our branch of the family has fallen from power. But a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Evren still controls several major projects. He'll have his chance to rise again."

She paused before continuing.

"Regardless, from today onward, you are the only daughter-in-law I acknowledge."

Jane studied her beautiful face and found her increasingly pleasing.

"Our Evren will need your care. You're someone blessed with good fortune, so let him share some of that luck. His younger sister has gone to church to pray, and his father is busy cleaning up the mess. We'll have a proper family meal another day."

Seeing the sincerity in Jane's eyes, Carys felt her own eyes grow moist.

So not every mother in the world was selfish.

Back in the countryside, people called her a jinx.

A bringer of bad luck.

A lone star doomed to bring misfortune.

Her father had died, and her mother had run away with a wealthy man.

This was the first time anyone had ever called her fortunate.

Click.

The master bedroom door suddenly opened.

The lead doctor removed his stethoscope and mask.

"Evren's bodily functions are gradually recovering, and there appears to be no neurological damage. However, there are multiple areas of blood stagnation within the bone marrow of both legs, and he has no sensation whatsoever. Surgery would be extremely risky."

"Then there's no way to treat him?"

Jane asked in disbelief.

The doctor shook his head.

"His legs are permanently disabled. It will also affect his fertility."

His words were brutally direct.

"I'm sorry. Unless..."

He adjusted his glasses.

"Unless you can find Dr. Gideon Mercerrow. He has successfully treated similar cases before. But he's retired and disappeared years ago. No one knows where he is. The chances are extremely slim."

Mrs. Arledge's face fell.

Who in the world could possibly find the legendary physician Cheng Han?

A trace of confusion flashed through Carys's eyes.

But Evren's legs clearly...

She hesitated, wondering whether she should say something.

Just then, the phone hidden inside her inner pocket began to vibrate.

In a corner near the staircase, Carys looked at the name flashing on her phone screen and answered despite her disgust.

"Hello."

"Carys."

Diana's voice came through cautiously, sounding unusually gentle.

"I heard Evren woke up. Are his legs really crippled?"

The doctor had only just delivered the diagnosis, yet the Norwood Family already had insider information.

Diana did not ask how the Arledge Family was treating the substitute bride. She did not ask how Carys had spent her wedding night.

Instead, she was fishing for information.

Carys's heart grew even colder.

"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

"Wait!"

Diana called out anxiously.

"Help Odessa! Evren has a major project in his hands, a collaboration between Aether Dynamics and Arledge Consortium. If you can persuade him to sign the Project Transfer Agreement, Odessa will be able to marry Tristan, the Arledge Family's eldest young master. Then the two of you can even be sisters-in-law."

Carys laughed in disbelief.

"What makes you think I can help? I have no status there."

Diana patiently coaxed her.

"The moment you married into the family, Evren woke up. The entire second branch is counting on you now. Besides, he's already a cripple. What's the use of holding onto that project? He might as well give it up and help Odessa and Tristan."

Greed flashed through Diana's eyes.

Once completed, that project would generate billions in profit.

It was the very project that had secured Evren's position within Arledge Consortium.

"I can't help you."

Carys moved to end the call.

Diana's voice suddenly turned sharp.

"That old woman from the countryside has already been brought to the Norwood Family! If you don't agree, you'll never see her again."

"Are you even human?!"

Carys shouted.

"That's my grandmother! Your mother-in-law!"

If her grandmother had not raised her all these years, she would have died long ago.

Her grandmother had lived a hard life, scrimping and saving to support her education. The years of labor had ruined her health.

No matter how hard Carys studied medicine under Gideon, she could not reverse a body that had already reached the end of its strength.

And now Diana had forced the elderly woman to travel such a long distance.

Who knew how much hardship and humiliation she had endured?

"Your father died years ago. That old woman and I aren't related by blood."

Diana's voice was cold and heartless.

Carys gripped her phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Her fingers trembled.

Biting her lip, eyes red, she asked quietly,

"Am I still your daughter?"

Diana fell silent for a moment before speaking indifferently.

"I raised Odessa myself. She has a good family background, elegance, and talent. If you can marry Evren Arledge, then naturally she deserves someone even better."

"I don't care whether you steal or rob. You must make it happen."

"On the day you return to visit your family, I expect good news. Otherwise..."

Her voice grew even colder.

"At her age, anything could happen to that old woman."

Then Diana hung up.

A chill rose from the soles of Carys's feet and spread through her entire body.

Even breathing hurt.

The air felt like countless blades scraping her throat and lungs.

...

After a long while, footsteps sounded near the staircase.

"Young Madam, why are you hiding here?"

India had been searching everywhere for her.

Taking Carys by the arm, she hurried toward the master bedroom.

"The Young Master woke up and immediately asked for you."

Suppressing all her worries, Carys followed India inside.

The moment Mrs. Arledge saw her, she warmly pulled her to the bedside and said to the stern man lying there,

"This is Carys. Your wife. We arranged the marriage while you were unconscious."

Meeting Evren's icy gaze, Carys lowered her head awkwardly.

He must think she was some shameless woman with no self-control.

A storm seemed to brew behind his eyes.

His brows lowered, coldness radiating from him.

"Divorce."

His voice carried unmistakable authority.

Carys stared at him in surprise.

"No!"

Jane's voice rose immediately.

"Carys is your lucky star! What if you die after the divorce? Are you still thinking about that little vixen?"

"Mother."

Having only recently recovered, his voice remained low and hoarse.

"I'm awake, but I'm still a cripple. I've already lost my inheritance rights. Why drag someone else down with me?"

Mrs. Arledge's eyes reddened.

Covering her mouth, she sobbed.

"It'll get better. As long as we find that doctor! You still have resources left. You can make a comeback. Everything will be fine!"

"Then have you asked this lady whether she's willing to spend her life as a widow?"

As he spoke, Evren looked directly at Carys.

There was something deeper hidden in his gaze.

The memory of last night's embarrassing encounters instantly resurfaced.

Carys felt as though ants were crawling all over her body.

Did he really think she was that desperate?

Mrs. Arledge looked guilty and turned toward Carys.

"Carys, are you willing to stay with Evren? Our branch may have lost influence, but I still have substantial assets. You'll never have to worry about money."

Her eyes were full of hope.

Carys pressed her lips tightly together.

Her nails dug deeply into her palms.

Diana was using her grandmother as leverage and wanted Evren's project.

Yet that project seemed to be the second branch's only hope of recovering their position.

Should she really take that hope away?

But what about Grandma?

Her silence was interpreted differently by the mother and son.

To them, it meant unwillingness.

The man on the bed looked detached and composed, as though he had already reached a conclusion.

"We'll file for divorce tomorrow."

Carys suddenly came back to her senses.

Her soft voice rang out.

"I won't divorce you!"

Ignoring Evren's terrifying stare, she gathered her courage.

"I'm already married to you. I'm willing to remain a widow."

Mrs. Arledge immediately relaxed and smiled through her tears.

"Good child. I knew you were different from those women outside."

She turned toward India.

"Let's go. We shouldn't interrupt the young couple from building their relationship."

"Of course."

India nodded and threw Carys an encouraging look.

The two women left and shut the door behind them.

Carys stood beside the bed, lowering her head as she twisted her fingers together and licked her dry lips.

Evren's sharp gaze remained fixed on her.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Carys, if you want money, I can give it to you. That little dowry my mother mentioned is tied up in the stock market. She lied to you."

Carys bit the inside of her cheek.

"I'm not after money."

Images from the previous night flashed through Evren's mind.

His chest rose and fell with frustration.

"Now that I'm awake, I won't tolerate you treating me the way you did last night."

His voice turned colder.

"And if you're talking about living as a widow, that means you won't be touching a single finger of mine."

After a brief pause, his expression darkened further.

"Not even for your own amusement."

Carys's face became so red it looked ready to bleed.

Was kissing and hugging really considered "amusement"?

"I wasn't..."

Her voice was soft and quiet.

"Besides, you can't do it anyway."

"What did you say?"

Evren asked.

Carys shook her head.

Releasing her clenched hands, she finally made up her mind.

Her bright eyes were clear and determined.

"I'm confident I can heal your legs."

"Heh."

A cold laugh escaped him.

From a favored genius to a cripple, his pride had been shattered.

And now this woman kept humiliating and teasing him.

Even someone with Evren's self-control had reached his limit.

"Get out."

Carys frowned stubbornly.

"I'm not lying."

"Do you even have a medical license? Have you successfully treated anyone? What proof do you have?"

Carys shook her head.

"No. But I've treated many people in the countryside. While I was helping you wash up, I examined your Shenting point. It's..."

"Get out!"

Now she was getting annoyed too.

Walking forward, she suddenly grabbed his blanket and yanked it away.

Then she pulled off his pajama pants.

His muscular, well-defined legs were instantly exposed to the air.

Fury flashed across Evren's face.

"Carys!"

“I’ll prove it to you right now.”

Carys dragged the suitcase out from under the bed and opened it.

Seven silver needles gleaming with cold light were lined up neatly inside. She took out a long needle and inserted it into an acupoint on Evren’s leg with swift, precise force.

Tilting her head, she looked at Evren with a focused expression.

“Do you feel anything?”

That needle awakened his numb legs. A tingling sensation spread like ants gnawing at him.

Evren looked at her serious, pretty face, and darkness flashed through his eyes.

His index finger rubbed against his thumb. He turned his face away, expression faint, brows tightly furrowed.

One look was enough for Carys to know he was in pain. She twisted the end of the needle and pushed it a little deeper, saying softly, “Feeling something is good. I haven’t treated any famous people, and I don’t have a medical license. But I’m sure I can cure your legs.”

“As long as I needle you every day to drain the stagnant blood, then combine it with medicine and massage, you’ll be able to stand again in one month at the fastest, half a year at the slowest.”

Something in Evren’s heart seemed to be gently tugged.

The hostility on his restrained, handsome face faded.

“What do you want?”

There was no such thing as charity for no reason.

He was a businessman.

Carys’s hand paused, and she looked a little embarrassed.

“My grandma was brought to New York by the Norwood Family. They want the big project you have with Aether Dynamics, so that... so that Odessa can marry your brother.”

Even she, a country girl, had heard of Aether Dynamics. It was a multinational giant. Arledge Consortium dominated New York, but it was still not as massive as Aether Dynamics.

That project was a prize everyone wanted.

Carys looked at him nervously.

Her conscience was uneasy.

She felt Evren was terribly unlucky.

Not only would he lose his resources, he also had to hand over his fiancée to someone else.

Evren smiled sarcastically.

Seeing that, Carys said in disappointment, “Sorry. I went too far.”

She bent down, removed the needle, packed up the suitcase, and left the room.

Evren watched her dejected back, his eyes dark.

He reached for the phone by the bed and dialed a number.

“Luc, it’s me.”

The man on the other end sounded as if he had seen a ghost.

“You really woke up! I thought I’d have to visit your grave next year.”

Evren said concisely, “Prepare a copy of the documents for the cooperation between Aether Dynamics and Arledge Consortium. Tamper with them a little.”

“Got it.”

Luc’s tone turned serious.

“One reminder. The car accident wasn’t simple, but there are no traces left. I can’t find evidence.”

Evren’s expression was cold.

“No need to investigate. I know who it was.”

“Don’t tell me it was Tristan’s family?”

Luc cursed furiously.

“That bastard has no ability, so he plays dirty! Are you preparing those documents to give to him? Then I’ll tamper with them properly.”

Evren interrupted him.

“That’s not your concern. Look into someone else for me.”

“Who?”

“Carys...”

“Oh, your wife.”

Luc responded repeatedly.

Evren did not correct the way he addressed her.

“Look into her life and background. See whether she has any connection to the First Branch.”

After hearing that, Luc’s breathing grew rapid.

“You mean she was sent by the First Branch? Then aren’t you in danger? Do you need bodyguards around the clock...”

Evren hung up, cutting off Luc’s endless complaints.

His eyes lowered halfway. His side profile shifted between light and shadow.

Thinking of that stubborn and bright newlywed wife, his long fingers rubbed against the edge of the bed.

How could it be such a coincidence?

His legs had become disabled, and the Norwood Family sent him a substitute bride who claimed she could treat them.

That woman spun a bunch of lies just to exchange them for the project in his hands.

He never believed in free gifts falling from the sky.

Besides, her face...

In the living room.

Carys came downstairs in the wedding dress. Mrs. Arledge took her hand and said, “I brought you a set of my daughter’s clothes. Hurry and change. I’ll take you shopping for clothes and jewelry.”

“No need, I...”

Mrs. Arledge did not give her a chance to refuse. She urged Carys to change, then had the driver take them to a bustling mall in New York.

As soon as Jane entered the mall, she began shopping wildly.

“These, and this one too! Wrap them all up. Carys, you’ll look beautiful in them.”

“This is too much. Actually...”

Carys remembered Evren saying Jane’s dowry was all trapped in the stock market, and she immediately grew worried.

Even the cheapest clothes here cost tens of thousands. Back in the countryside, she would not spend that much in half a year.

She could not afford to pay any of it back.

“A woman should dress brightly and beautifully. Why be so polite with me?”

A faint light flashed in Carys’s eyes.

After sweeping through the clothing store, the two entered a jewelry store.

Yet someone blind had to come looking for trouble.

“Oh my, Jane. You’re still in the mood to shop? I heard your son woke up. Congratulations. What a pity he became disabled... Then the Arledge Family inheritance can only go to the First Branch now.”

The wealthy woman covered her lips, taking pleasure in Jane’s misfortune.

Evren had been too outstanding and had outshone too many people.

The moment misfortune struck, everyone wanted to step on him.

Jane sneered and fired back, “Mrs. Rogers, I heard your son ended up in the hospital after fooling around with women. Be careful he doesn’t die on top of one someday. AIDS, syphilis, you really need to watch out.”

“You!”

The wealthy woman was fuming.

“What about me? Even if my son’s legs are disabled, he’s still better than your son. I heard the Rogers family searched everywhere for famous doctors but still couldn’t cure his infertility. Your Rogers family... is going extinct.”

Jane’s gaze was condescending, every word stabbing Mrs. Rogers where it hurt most.

The Rogers family’s only son being incapable in that area was an open secret in New York.

Yet he loved taking medicine and messing around, constantly making a fool of himself.

Mrs. Rogers refused to back down.

“Is your son any different? We’ll find Dr. Mercerrow sooner or later. Don’t come begging me then!”

“Beg you? What a joke. Our Evren is a blessed man. Maybe Dr. Mercerrow will come to treat him on his own.”

When it came to battles between wealthy families, Mrs. Arledge was clearly better with words.

“You... Don’t forget our Rogers family still holds that land. I’d like to see how Evren handles the project between Arledge Consortium and Aether Dynamics.”

Mrs. Rogers’s face shifted between pale and livid. She grabbed her bag and left.

Hearing about the Aether Dynamics project, Carys’s eyes darkened.

Jane adjusted her expression, then turned and pointed at the glass display case on the top shelf.

“Let me see that sapphire necklace.”

The sales assistant put on white gloves and took down the jewelry box.

“You have excellent taste.”

Carys stared at the string of zeros on the price tag, feeling dizzy.

Before she could react, Jane had already put it around her neck.

The teardrop shaped sapphire pendant made Carys’s skin look snow white. Under the brilliant lights, she seemed to be wrapped in a soft glow.

“It suits you very well.”

Mrs. Arledge’s eyes were full of appreciation.

Carys shook her head and bit her lip, saying solemnly, “You’ve already given me so many things. I really can’t accept this necklace.”

“All right, you child...”

Jane looked at her with regret and placed the necklace back.

Carys took the chance to ask the question on her mind.

“What kind of person is Dr. Mercerrow?”

Why did it feel like all the rich people in New York were looking for him?

Jane linked arms with her as they walked.

“Gideon, Dr. Mercerrow, specializes in difficult and complicated illnesses. He was once a consultant for the president’s medical team. No matter the illness, once it reached his hands, he could guarantee recovery through acupuncture. But he retired when he was sixty. No one knows where he is. I only heard he took in a disciple.”

Even if they could not find the man himself, finding Gideon’s disciple would also be good.

The wealthy cared even more about health. Every family had someone who fell ill now and then. When life and death were involved, knowing a famous doctor was a form of security.

Carys nodded after listening.

Her countryside neighbor, Gideon, was also skilled in acupuncture. She had learned the method for treating blocked meridians in the legs from him.

For one instant, a ridiculous thought even appeared in her mind.

But she quickly rejected it.

Gideon’s real name was not Gideon.

They could not be the same person.

How could someone that powerful possibly stay in the countryside?

“As long as we find Gideon, Evren’s...”

Before Jane could finish, her phone began vibrating.

She let go of Carys’s hand and answered the call.

“Hello.”

Carys did not know what the person on the other end said, but she saw Jane’s gaze change instantly and her face turn ashen.

“Tell that bastard to stay right there! I’m coming back immediately!”