"So? Did I say something wrong?"Joseph looked at the trio’s reaction and asked again, his tone calm yet probing.It wasn't until Joseph repeated the question that the three men snapped out of their stunned silence."Uh… Oh! Yes, of course we know you! How could we not?" Eryndor Vexley was the first to respond, forcing a smile."Yes, yes, of course we know you. We've known each other for a long time." "Yeah, yeah, old friends. Haha…" Tharion Morvek and Kaelen Dristan quickly chimed in, their voices eager, almost too eager."Then, do we have any past… history between us?" Joseph furrowed his brows slightly, his tone growing sharper."Huh? No, no! Why would there be anything unpleasant between us?" Eryndor Vexley denied hastily."I only asked if we had a past. I didn’t say it was unpleasant. Or… are you admitting there was something unpleasant?" Joseph seized on the slip in Eryndor’s words. The guilt written across their faces was as clear as day.Too guilty. Far too guilty."Old

"That’s easy. Let your dear senior finish drying her hair, then I’ll explain it to you."Mason Alvarez replied casually as she settled in front of the vanity and began blow-drying her hair."By the way, why isn’t Joseph back yet?" Alice asked suddenly."He’s back. Must’ve had a bit too much to drink—he went straight to the bathroom when he got in." Mason answered without even changing her expression."Huh? How come I didn’t notice?" Alice looked puzzled."He literally just came back. You’ve been in your room. How could you possibly notice?" Mason replied with a smirk."Then I’ll go make him some hangover tea. I told him not to drink so much, but he never listens." Alice muttered with a hint of frustration as she stood up."I already made it. It’s on the table in the living room," Mason said indifferently."Tsk tsk, I knew it. You’re definitely qualified to be a proper chambermaid." Alice teased with a mischievous smile."You little brat! Say that again and see what I’ll do to y

Seeing this, Joseph leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on Alice’s lips. Then, with a doting smile, he ruffled her soft hair before turning and heading out the door.He had barely gotten into his car when a call came through from Richard Anderson.Joseph glanced at the caller ID, frowning slightly. What could Richard want at this hour? Though puzzled, he still answered the call."Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Anderson?" Joseph asked."Mr. Wilson, do you happen to be free around noon?" Richard inquired."I’ll be available after twelve. Why do you ask?" Joseph replied."Well, Lindsay went to our family’s old pharmacy to pick up some medical supplies and equipment. I was wondering if it’s at all convenient for you to swing by and bring her back?""If I drive there directly, I’d need to take quite a detour," Richard added, sounding a bit troubled."I'm heading to the Cooper family estate shortly. After lunch, I could go from there. Where exactly is your old pharmacy located?

Waiting by the gate was Brady Rogers, who immediately approached when he saw Joseph's car."Mr. Wilson, you're here," he greeted. "My place is just ahead—second building from the entrance. I've asked the guard to let you in."With that, Brady walked over to the gatehouse and exchanged a few words with the guard. Moments later, the gate opened.Joseph drove inside and parked beneath the second apartment building. Though the neighborhood was a bit dated, the layout felt open and spacious, with ample parking even along the street.As Joseph got out of the car, Brady came over. Lindsay stepped out first and greeted him politely."Good morning, Mr. Rogers," she said with a slight bow."Oh? Lindsay Anderson—you’re here too?" Brady looked surprised."You know each other?" Joseph raised an eyebrow."Of course. Both of us teach Lindsay’s class—just different subjects," Brady explained with a chuckle. "And I’ve met her grandfather, old Mr. Anderson, twice. A real gentleman.""I actually borrow

"Your condition is what we call 'bone-penetrating cold'—the chill has seeped deep into the marrow.""Treating it will be no different than scraping bone to remove poison," he added solemnly.The room fell silent. Everyone looked at each other with unease. Scraping bone to heal wounds—such a phrase was typically found only in ancient texts.Could an ordinary person endure such agony?Brady swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on Kelly, uncertain whether she could withstand the ordeal.But Kelly simply smiled—a quiet, sorrowful smile."Mr. Wilson, I’m not afraid. Had I not been lucky, I would’ve died three or four years ago. Every day since then has been a gift.""And now, fate has given me a second chance—to return to the operating table, to return to the life of a doctor. No matter how painful it is, I won’t let that chance slip away."Joseph stared at her for a moment, his eyes sharp and unwavering.This was a woman who had stood in freezing floodwaters for two days and nights to save a c