Early autumn, the residual heat of summer had not completely faded, and the entire capital was shrouded in waves of stifling heat.
Chloe Collins idly watched two small birds outside the window fluttering their wings and fighting.
When she saw one of them get knocked down by the other and pecked near the window, her red lips revealed a slight curve, and her fair face displayed a lazy and charming beauty.
"Chlo-Chlo."
Turning her head, a forty-something-year-old male doctor walked in through the door with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry for the long wait."
"It's fine."
After a brief reply, she walked over and sat down.
The male doctor held her series of test results in his hand, looking at them repeatedly with a complicated expression, hesitating to speak.
"Mr. Green, just tell me the results directly, I can bear it."
Albert Green asked, "Have you been feeling unwell recently?"
"My heart occasionally feels uneasy and aches."
Albert Green nodded solemnly, and then said, "According to the test results, your various physical indicators are not too optimistic. If left untreated, at most five years, I'm afraid you'll end up like your mother..."
Albert Green didn't finish his sentence.
But Chloe Collins understood that "like her mother" meant death.
Her mother had passed away two weeks ago from an incurable disease.
Unfortunately, she inherited this "illness." Although everything was normal now, her body functions would quickly decline once she turned 25. At first, she would rely on medication, and eventually, she would have to rely on a ventilator to live, in a worse state than death.
Initially, her mother believed she had some incurable disease. It wasn't until three years ago that she learned the truth from her close friend Emma Foster.
Many years ago, the two of them had jointly researched a new medicine, but it could not be marketed due to unknown side effects and other reasons.
Her so-called close friend gave this medicine to Chloe's mother in secret due to a personal grudge. At that time, Chloe's mother was already pregnant with her.
On her deathbed, Emma Foster finally confessed the truth to Chloe's mother.
Upon learning the truth, Chloe's mother immediately formed a small medical research group to develop an antidote. Ironically, this process required Emma Foster's help.
Although Emma Foster was a morally flawed person, she was an exceptionally talented doctor and a core member involved in developing that medicine. With her participation, it would certainly speed up the development of the antidote.
But she died.
With no other options, Chloe's mother had to rely on Emma Foster's past experimental records to look for clues.
But despite looking for a long time, she couldn't find any.
Chloe's mother took the burden on herself until she revealed everything to Chloe just before she died. She told Chloe that the experimental records were likely to be at the Fosters' house and Chloe must find them.
She also told Chloe that the matter was significant and should be kept secret. Apart from a few insiders, nobody else should know to avoid further complications.
Before Chloe could ask any more questions, her mother could no longer hold on.
Afterward, Chloe went to the Fosters just as her mother had arranged and met Master Foster.
Master Foster owed Chloe's mother a favor and agreed to take care of Chloe.
"You have been at the Fosters' house for five days, have you made any progress?" Dr. Green asked with concern.
He was a close friend and former colleague of Chloe's mother and one of the insiders in this matter.
Chloe Collins raised her eyelids lightly, "Not yet."
"I heard that last night, you were kicked out by the Fosters. Are you okay?"
Chloe Collins smiled faintly, revealing a hint of unruly spirit, "Do I look troubled?"
"I meant emotionally, weren't you... hurt?"
Chloe Collins seemed unconcerned, casually drinking a cup of water, her tone as light as the water, "Are you worried that I'm being bullied and ostracized there?"
Dr. Green: "According to my information, that's true."
Chloe Collins shrugged, a faint smile on her lips, "Whether they like me or not doesn't matter as long as I can stay. One can't be too greedy, right?"
Dr. Green's eyebrows relaxed, and he let out a sigh of relief, "It's good that you think this way. After all, they don't know the inside story. It's only natural for them to reject a stranger suddenly living in their home."
"By the way, when I came in just now, I saw a young man waiting for you at the doorway. Who is he?"
Chloe Collins played with a pen, speaking indifferently, "Alexander Foster's assistant."
"Alexander's man? What is he doing here? He's the coldest towards you at the Fosters' house. He doesn't even want to look at you. Why would he send someone to find you?"
Chloe Collins replied with an icy tone, "Master Foster forced him to take me back. He let his assistant pick me up."
Dr. Green's expression loosened, "Alexander is young and talented and Master Foster's most cherished grandson. If Master Foster can order him to pick you up, it proves that Master Foster genuinely wants you back."
Chloe Collins did not continue the conversation but said, "Speaking of Alexander, there is a strange thing."
Dr. Green: "Hmm?"
Chloe Collins' expression slightly serious, "Whenever I'm close to him, the uncomfortable symptoms in my heart instantly disappear."
Dr. Green raised an eyebrow, "That's indeed strange. Is it because of some special perfume he's using?"
Chloe Collins shook her head, "He doesn't use perfume."
Dr. Green pondered, "Then it's his unique scent. Everyone has a unique scent. Maybe his scent has some magical effect. Just like an air freshener, for you, it's a human air freshener."
Chloe Collins stopped twirling the pen in her hand, smiling faintly, "Mr. Green, I'm not joking."
"Neither am I. But, are you sure it wasn't just a coincidence?"
Chloe Collins thought for a few seconds, her eyes downcast, "I do need to confirm that."
"Yes, if it happens more than three times, it means he's indeed useful."
Chloe Collins pondered for a second, then stood up, "I have to go."
As soon as the door opened, a man waiting at the doorway immediately followed, his face serious and tense, clearly nervous.
"Miss Collins, Alex asked me to take you over. He's handling some business now, and he'll personally take you back later."
"Please don't be angry. Last night, Miss Cherry misunderstood you. I heard that Master has scolded her. Please let bygones be bygones and come with me to the car."
Chloe Collins' footsteps suddenly paused. It wasn't because of the assistant's words, but rather... her heart felt uncomfortable again.
Only after the tight feeling in her chest passed did she continue walking forward, her expression indifferent, "Where is he?"
The assistant hurriedly said, "He's at the Victoria Hotel's first-floor restaurant, having a blind date."
"Take me there."
"Sure, sure!" The assistant let out a big sigh of relief, finally succeeding in picking her up.
Soon after, Chloe Collins arrived in the restaurant.
Her gaze swept over countless tables, quickly focusing on an exceptionally handsome and distinguished man.
She walked towards the man unhurriedly, her gaze like a cheetah that had locked onto its prey.