Somewhere far from Shalin City.
"How is she?" a middle-aged man asked, anxiety etched across his face as he stood before Dr. Jake.
Dr. Jake, a seasoned physician with years etched into the lines of his face, looked up from his notes, his brow furrowed. "She's weak, has a fever, and there was an unknown poison in her body. We've managed to neutralize it, but she needs time to recover fully."
William's heart sank at the word "poison." "Poison?" he echoed, the weight of the revelation heavy in his chest. "What kind of poison?"
"It seems to have caused some internal damage, but it's not serious," Dr. Jake reassured him, meeting his gaze with a steady confidence. "It will take some time, but she will recover in no time."
"Thank you, Jake, for saving her," William replied.
"You don't have to worry, William," Dr. Jake said, placing a reassuring hand on his old friend's shoulder. "We've known each other for years. I can do this much as your family doctor, and as a friend."
"If you don't mind me asking," Dr. Jake ventured, his tone shifting slightly, "who is she?"
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Flashback: Thunderous Night
An expensive car glided through the dense forest, its headlights piercing the heavy rain that cascaded from the darkened sky.
Inside, William sat in the back seat, his expression weary from a long day at a business meeting at a resort on the outskirts of the city.
The relentless downpour made it difficult for his assistant, Charles, to see the road clearly, forcing him to navigate cautiously through the winding path ahead.
As the driver focused on the road, the sudden screech of brakes pierced the air, jolting the man in the back seat awake. He blinked, trying to regain his balance as he registered the abrupt stop. "What happened, Charles?" William asked, his voice laced with concern.
"Sir, there's a woman lying in the middle of the road. She looks injured," Charles replied urgently.
Without hesitation, the William instructed, "Pull over!"
Charles parked the car on the side of the road and quickly grabbed an umbrella to shield his boss from the rain. They approached the woman, who was lying on her stomach, facing away from them in a soaked red gown, the fabric clinging to her form as the rain poured around her.
"Let's turn her over," the William said, kneeling beside her.
With a gentle touch, they rolled her onto her back. The red veil obscured her face, creating an air of mystery around the young woman, likely in her early twenties.
William reached forward and carefully lifted the veil, revealing delicate features framed by damp hair. Her skin was pale, and her breathing was shallow, a sign that she had been out in the rain for far too long.
"She needs help," the man said firmly, glancing at Charles. "Let's get her to the nearest hospital."
Charles nodded and carefully picked her up. They rushed back to the car and placed her in the back seat. The man climbed in next to her, worried as they drove quickly to the hospital, hoping they would get there in time.
Hours later, the woman lay in a hospital bed, connected to an IV drip. The storm had passed, leaving a stillness in the air.
The middle-aged man stood by the window, lost in thought, replaying the night's events in his mind.
Suddenly, he noticed movement from the bed and turned to see her stirring. The man moved closer to her.
As her eyes fluttered open, he was taken aback by their striking green colour. They seemed to shine even in the dim light of the hospital room.
When her vision finally cleared, she saw a man standing there. A look of surprise and shock crossed her face as memories flooded back to her.
Tears began to slip down her cheeks as she whispered, "Father."