Red banners and heavy black lacquered tables and chairs were neatly arranged, giving an extremely solemn and dignified feeling.
Initially intending to find a secluded corner to sit, unexpectedly, name tags had been placed on every seat. After scanning the room, Claire Prescott found herself settling in the leftmost seat of the front row.
Claire Prescott's expression was momentarily frozen.
She didn't want to come in the first place, and now her seat was so far up front...
Reluctantly, she sat down.
The person next to her mentioned, "I heard they've invited a big shot to this conference."
The person behind inquired, "Where's this big shot from?"
"There's a long-running variety show planning to incorporate cultural heritage elements. Investors are here to select someone, and if one of our heritage people gets chosen, once the show airs, business will thrive."
"..."
At 9:55, she saw the legendary figure lead a group into the room, and amidst the collective admiration, he took his seat at the center of the stage.
— Ethan Lancaster.
He looked to be in his early thirties, with his short hair neatly combed, and his dark suit accentuating his gentle and refined demeanor. Strangely, this aura evoked a profound sense of reverence.
Instantly, the crowd quieted down and, almost simultaneously, applauded.
The meeting began to unfold around the theme of "heritage," with representatives on stage speaking one by one.
Claire Prescott propped her cheek with her hand, her white face languid, utterly uninterested as her thoughts drifted outside.
Unbeknownst to her, this lost expression caught Ethan Lancaster's attention from the stage.
Caleb Lancaster stared for a while, realizing her mind wasn't there.
Being part of this organization meant having some influence on cultural heritage, but her heart wasn't yet immersed.
During the break, Ethan Lancaster put down his pen and asked Morgan Lee, the leader of the heritage group beside him, "Who is that young lady seated on the left side of the front row?"
Morgan Lee followed his gaze and respectfully replied, "That's the granddaughter of Old Dr. Sinclair from Sinclair Apothecary. It's said she's a prodigy in Chinese medicine, groomed by Elder Sinclair as a successor from a young age."
"Granddaughter?" He emphasized the word "granddaughter."
"Yes."
"Who is her father?"
Morgan Lee hesitated, unsure why he was suddenly curious about someone else's family background, "I only know her mother passed away early, as for who her father is, no one knows."
Gazing at the silhouette, Ethan Lancaster's deep eyes seemed to silently pierce through everything.
Morgan Lee continued, "She reportedly leaves the father column either blank or fills it with 'unknown' whenever she completes family documents."
"Quite mysterious."
Claire Prescott was lying on the table when she finally sensed someone watching her and glanced up to meet Ethan Lancaster's gaze.
He nodded politely, behaving very gentlemanly without causing offense.
Claire reciprocated with the same politeness, and both withdrew their gazes.
Ethan Lancaster instructed Morgan Lee, "Seat her at my table for the lunch gathering."
"Alright..."
However, once the second half ended, she had vanished.
After wrapping around, successfully intercepted at the entrance of the conference hall.
Morgan Lee blocked her way, breathlessly saying, "Claire, finally found you."
Recognizing him, Claire asked perplexedly, "Uncle Lee, what's the matter?"
He steadied his breathing, using a flattering tone, "Well, after the conference there's a lunch gathering. Mr. Lancaster wants to meet you and discuss your insights on cultural heritage."
Mr. Lancaster?
Claire hesitated, her face revealing difficulty, "But I've already made plans."
Morgan Lee hurriedly persuaded, "Mr. Lancaster is a big name in the investment world. He's extending an invitation; at least don't disregard his gesture. It'd also be good to report back to Old Dr. Sinclair."
Elder Sinclair sends his granddaughter to every conference, hoping they would work on her mindset.
At the mention of her grandfather, Claire's expression changed.
Considering Morgan Lee was an elder and leader of the non-profit organization, she didn't want to argue with him.
"Sorry, Uncle Lee, but I have patients waiting. I don't have time to join you for lunch. I'm sure Mr. Lancaster will understand."
"But..."
Before he could finish, Claire slightly bowed to him and hurried toward the car parked by the roadside.
The vehicle was parked right where it was when she got off, the sun now overhead, casting no shadows.
Keane Lowell sat in the driver's seat, watching her intently, showing no impatience.
Surprisingly, he waited here for over two hours without complaint.
"Finished discussing?" Keane asked warmly.
Claire nodded, "Yes."
"Get in the car first."
Not far off, Morgan Lee saw the car's license plate, his attention momentarily frozen. Before he could react, Claire and the car had disappeared from view.
...
The car passed through several barriers, arriving at a courtyard with contrasting red and green hues.
This naturally reminded Claire of her friend's mention of the Second Ring Courtyard.
Now, she just naturally entered.
After getting off the car, she quietly followed Keane into the courtyard.
Walking under the winding cool corridors.
Around them were blue bricks, grey tiles, carved windows, with sunlight casting dappled shadows, the garden grand and vast, even the shadows looked particularly elegant.
Though uncertain about the size of the residence, the meticulous garden design conveyed a sense of profound depth.
They reached a courtyard.
Just then, a simple and graceful woman came out to greet them with a gentle demeanor.
Upon seeing her face, Claire was almost breathless with shock.
Madeline White.
An idol her mother once admired.
Quickly rose to fame for her mystical role as Little Fox Cold in the fantasy series "Demon Hunting," her memorable roles in subsequent works have never been surpassed.
Over 20 years ago, she was the goddess, revered nationwide, a queen of the screen.
Unexpectedly, she met the goddess herself.
Why is she here?...
"Mom."
One word called Claire back to reality, her gaze falling on Keane's profile.
He just called Madeline White "Mom"?!
Keane and Madeline White are mother and son?!
Madeline White examined Claire in surprise, then asked, "Who is this young lady?"
Keane turned slightly, introducing, "You've not been well recently, so I invited a Chinese doctor to check on you."
Madeline's expression momentarily froze, slowly looking at the graceful young lady before her, seemingly in disbelief that this young girl was a Chinese doctor.
Instead, she was convinced there was something between her and her son.
Under her gaze, Claire hastily regained composure, politely greeting, "Hello, Auntie. I'm Claire Prescott, a Chinese doctor from Sinclair Apothecary."
"Claire," Madeline earnestly repeated, as a graceful smile surfaced on her gentle face.
She then invited Claire inside, instructing the servant to make a few more dishes.
Perhaps it's the young lady's elegant appearance, so delicate and pleasant, also well-behaved. Madeline seemed extraordinarily fond and smiled more often, inviting her to sit down, "I heard you work in a private clinic?"
"Yes," Claire replied, her gaze particularly focused, reflecting an oblivious infatuation.
"How long have you been studying medicine?"
"Since I was seven, learning from my family, continuing till now."
"Seven years old..." Madeline marvelled, looking at her with admiration, "Chinese medicine is wonderful, a treasure passed down from our ancestors. I've heard it's very difficult to learn medicine; starting young and persevering is already amazing."
Thrilled by the praise, Claire struggled to contain excitement, "Thank you, Auntie."
She regained calmness, and approached the main topic, "Auntie, you mentioned you're unwell. Shall I take your pulse first?"