Captian raised an eyebrow, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
I, on the other hand, broke into a cold sweat on Opius's behalf, he really dared to say anything, but he didn't have to spell it out so bluntly like that either.
After that, Opius didn't say much more.
The meal was awkward, yet strangely harmonious in a way I couldn't explain, and in any case, I ended up eating quite happily, my little stomach was round and full by the end.
"Doctor Bailey, if there's a chance in the future, I really must invite you to visit our home," Mrs. Opius said as she took my hand again before leaving, clearly reluctant to part.
I agreed quickly, "It would be my honor to be invited by you."
She genuinely liked me, not just because of my medical skills but because, in her eyes, my personality was easy to get along with.
I wasn't like those other heiresses who relied on their status and acted unbearably arrogant.
Watching the couple leave, I couldn't help sneaking a few glances at Captian.
He'd already noticed my little movements and glanced over, his voice cold.
"What are you sneaking looks at?"
I immediately sat up straight and stopped looking around.
"Nothing. I wasn't peeking at anything…"
Of course I was.
Captian stared at me, his dark eyes deep like an old, bottomless well.
"You cured their illness?"
I nodded quickly, not daring to lie.
"A month ago, they came to see me, that problem… I treated it. That's why they're so grateful to me."
"I know," he said, giving me a look.
It was infertility of over ten years; almost everyone of status in Alchimie City knew about it.
He'd heard people mention it often, so he knew the situation.
I parted my lips, then didn't know what else to say.
Hunter couldn't help glancing at me. Even a ten-year illness could be cured, this sister-in-law of his was truly something.
No wonder someone like Captian would care about me; I was practically a treasure.
"Let's go home."
Captian stood up, his one-meter-ninety frame blocking all the light in front of me.
I rubbed my full stomach and stood up as well.
Hunter was still dazed, not fully recovered from his shock, but when he saw us heading out, he quickly followed.
The land transfer papers weren't prepared yet, but Opius had said that the moment they were ready, he'd deliver them straight into my hands.
At that time, I could decide how to deal with the land myself.
Leaning my head against the car window, I watched the scenery slide by and suddenly chuckled.
"Mr. Anderson, I've just realized… I'm your lucky star."
Hunter, driving in front, broke out in a cold sweat.
Lucky star? She really dared to say that out loud.
Captian frowned slightly, his expression thoughtful under the flickering neon lights.
"Lucky star?"
Maybe it was the scenery outside or the gentle movement of the car, but for a moment I wasn't scared of him at all.
I lifted the corners of my lips, the light in my eyes shining brighter than the neon outside.
"If it weren't for me, Opius wouldn't have given in so quickly.
Everything has a cause and effect, and all those causes and effects are tied back to you.
Isn't that what a lucky star is?"
Captian reached out and squeezed my cheek.
My small face was soft in his fingers.
I was in high spirits.
"Opius gave the land to me, but since you and I have that kind of relationship, it basically means he gave it to you too."
"What sort of relationship is that?"
Captian leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against my cheeks.
My eyes darted, and I felt a little embarrassed.
"A husband-and-wife relationship, of course."
That was something he clearly liked hearing.
His thin lips lifted slightly, a trace of softness flashing across his face.
"Go on."
I blinked a few times, my lips opening and closing; my soft pink mouth felt strangely warm.
"When Opius sends over the land transfer papers, I'll hand them to you first. Is that okay?"
Captian answered with a soft hum, and somehow the atmosphere in the car felt like spring had arrived and flowers had bloomed completely surreal.
Sitting in the driver's seat, Hunter suddenly looked like he'd just seen something terrifying.
His eyes were full of shock.
Their Mr. Anderson was actually capable of being this gentle?
That didn't feel right at all.
With the land issue resolved ahead of schedule, Captian no longer had to bury himself in high-intensity work.
After we returned to the villa, he turned and went straight back to his room, not making things difficult for me.
I stared at his retreating back and suddenly felt a little… unused to it.
Tonight had passed so peacefully, without any drama.
Was this my "reward" for securing the land?
If so, could I please get a whole pile more of this kind of reward?
I practically bounced back to my room, full of energy, and pulled the surgical kit I had tucked against my chest back out to admire again.
No matter how I looked at those instruments, they were beautiful impossible to put down.
With these tools in hand, my interest in medicine only burned hotter.
Hugging the surgical kit, I drifted off to sleep, my small face full of contentment, the corners of my lips tilted upward.
The next day, when I went downstairs, I saw Captian sitting at the table in loungewear.
I froze.
Normally he was either wearing a black coat or a black shirt.
Since when did he wear… casual clothes that looked this close to how normal people dressed?
I stood there for a long moment, not quite daring to accept what I was seeing.
This was Captian, right?
Not some imposter?
He turned his head slightly, his gaze cool and sharp as it landed on me.
"Why are you just standing there?"
Still the same coldness, the same familiar tone.
I broke into a smile and walked over quickly.
"Good morning, Mr. Anderson. Now that the land matter is resolved, you're finally free, huh?"
He didn't answer, which was as good as a silent acknowledgment.
I picked up the glass of milk on the table and took a sip.
It was sweet.
"Mr. Anderson, Miss Wendy is here," Ronan suddenly announced as he entered the hall.
The moment he mentioned "Wendy," his expression changed.
Of course he knew all the rumors people said Wendy was the most suitable woman to become Mrs. Anderson.
But Mr. Anderson already had a sister-in-law, and she was in no way inferior to Wendy.
Hunter had told him everything about last night, and he'd been shocked.
My medical skills had even convinced that stubborn soldier to willingly offer up land.
Now his WhatsApp friend list was full of people coming to him because of my reputation, and even on Facebook, my name was slowly spreading, I'd become a living treasure.
Compared to Wendy's wealth, he'd still choose me.
Having a miracle doctor on their side was worth more than any fortune.
Hearing Ronan's words, Captian's eyes turned colder.
"What is she here for?"
I lowered my head and pretended I'd heard nothing.
"She said she wants to hang out with sister-in-law," Ronan replied, glancing at me.
It was obviously just an excuse, she was definitely here to see Mr. Anderson.
Captian glanced over at me but didn't say anything.
Forced by his gaze, I put the milk down, feeling a little speechless.
"She really came to play with me? I don't even know her."
I frowned slightly.
I'd only met Wendy once at the Anderson family banquet, and it was just a brief encounter.
That hardly warranted a special visit, did it?
Besides, our relationship was… complicated.
I was Mr. Anderson's wife, and Wendy clearly wanted that position too.
We were textbook romantic rivals, the kind who glared at each other across the battlefield.
I could easily sense that she had feelings for him.
Under such messy circumstances, how could we possibly become friends?
Sit down and happily "play" together?
Don't joke.
It was impossible, unless Wendy was some kind of saint.
"Sister-in-law, she really came to see you," Ronan continued, imitating Wendy's tone with a grin.
"She said she rushed out of the banquet just to come visit."
I felt a wave of disgust.
Instinctively, I turned my head to look at Captian.
He was the master of this house; until he spoke, I couldn't exactly throw anyone out.
"Do you want to spend time with her?"
His gaze dropped, lingering on my face.
I scrunched up my small face, feeling torn.
"I don't really know her. I'm afraid we won't… get along."
Captian let out a soft "Mm," the corners of his thin lips curling slightly as he coldly concluded:
"Then don't let her in."