60 Darien sighed with exhaustion as the driver pulled up to his home. It had been a long and eventful day. As the car came to a stop, Darien thanked the driver and exited the vehicle. He walked slowly up the stone path, his tired muscles aching with each step. Upon entering his home, Darien was greeted by the worried face of Lavinia. "Sir French, where have you been? I've been trying to reach you all day but your phone must have been off." Lavinia said, her brow furrowed with concern. Darien reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, pressing the power button. Sure enough, it was dead. He must have been in such a hurry this morning that he forgot to charge it. "I'm sorry to worry you, Lavinia. I had a very busy day helping a patient at the Moore estate. It all happened so fast, I didn't even think to charge my phone." Darien replied. Lavinia's expression softened upon hearing his explanation. She knew how dedicated Darien was to his work as a healer. "Is everything alright
61The morning light barely crept through the curtains as Darien awoke, his mind already racing with the events of the previous day and the daunting task ahead. The thought of facing Cersei, his estranged wife, after everything that had transpired was heavy on his heart. He could imagine her sitting in a cold cell, her pride the only thing keeping her company. 'She'll blame me,' he thought, 'but her actions, driven by greed, led her here. She shot that old man without a second thought.'As he prepared to leave, his movements were mechanical, his mind elsewhere. He took a taxi, and the drive to the police station was a blur, his thoughts consumed by what he would say, how Cersei would react, and whether she would reveal anything useful about the Golden Apple's sale.Upon arrival, he was led to a small, sterile interview room where Cersei was already waiting, cuffed and looking defiant despite her circumstances. The sight of her stirred a complex whirlwind of emotions within Darien—ang
62The guests watched the confrontation with widened eyes and hushed whispers, shocked by Lucas's outrage. "I can't believe Theodore would try to turn away a healer," a nobleman whispered to his wife. "Over a mere plant, no less! The nerve of him," she replied, shaking her head. Amelia felt a surge of gratitude for her grandfather's defense of Darien. Lucas had always cared more for people than profits.Theodore opened and closed his mouth like a gulping fish, at a loss for words under his father's wrath. "But the Lumina root, its value-""Is meaningless compared to a life and our integrity!" Lucas thundered, veins bulging in his reddened neck. He jabbed an accusing finger at Theodore."The root can't compare to a life!" a merchant exclaimed softly to his friend."Lord Lucas won't stand for such dishonor. Rightly so," the friend agreed."Is meaningless compared to a life and our integrity!" Lucas thundered, veins bulging in his reddened neck. He jabbed an accusing finger at Theodor
63After a refreshing shower that washed away the grime of the day, Darien strolled into his bedroom, a towel draped lazily around his waist. The cool evening air brushed against his damp skin, causing goosebumps to ripple across his arms. He noticed the blinking notification light - two missed calls and a voicemail. A surge of curiosity propelled him to check the number, recognizing it as Amelia's. His heart skipped a beat, a mix of curiosity and anger. He pressed play out of curiosity.Meanwhile, Amelia, after her defiant stand against her parents, found a quiet corner away from the prying eyes and ears of the household. She had to reach Darien, to somehow bridge the gap her parents' folly had widened. With a deep breath, she dialed his number, her heart pounding against her chest as each ring went unanswered. The cold, impersonal tone of the voicemail greeted her instead, and with a shaky exhale, she began to speak."Sir French, it's Amelia Fairchild. I... I know you have no rea
64Darien looked down at her, her question stirring a whirlpool of emotions within him. The faint scent of her perfume, floral and intoxicating, filled his senses. For a heartbeat, he considered what it would mean to say yes, to allow himself to be drawn back into the orbit of the Fairchilds through her."Perhaps," he said finally. "But remember, my attendance tonight was for a resolution, not a rekindling of any alliance.""I understand," she replied, a soft smile touching her lips. It was a smile tinged with sadness. "Thank you, Sir French. For everything."With a final nod, Darien turned away, stepping out of the Fairchild estate. He could feel Amelia's gaze on his back.As he walked away, his heart felt an unusual lightness, a mixture of relief and something else—something akin to satisfaction. He couldn't help but let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all."Now, with the Lumina Root in hand, I need just nine more," he muttered to himself, his thoughts t
65A well-dressed woman at a nearby table whispered loudly enough for them to hear, "Look at their clothes. This isn't a place for them."A man at the bar, sipping a glass of expensive wine, eyed them disdainfully before commenting to his companion, "It seems they've opened the doors to anyone these days. Where's the exclusivity?"His companion, a woman adorned with pearls, laughed lightly, her gaze piercing. "Indeed. Perhaps they lost their way to the diner down the street."Feeling the weight of their stares, the girl squeezed Darien's hand tighter, her initial excitement dimming in the face of such open disdain.Darien's grip on the girl's hand tightened slightly. He could feel her shrink beside him, her initial excitement dimming under the scrutiny.He leaned down, whispering, "Ignore them. You're worth more than their words."She looked up at him, her brave smile returning. "Okay, Darien."They were approached by a waiter, his eyes briefly flickering with surprise before he regai
66Darien clenched his fists under the table, his knuckles whitening with the effort to control his rising anger. "Enjoying my dinner, Marcela," he retort, his voice steady but his insides churning. "Just like you, I presume."She laughed, a sound that grated on Darien's nerves. "Oh, darling, there's a world of difference between 'eating' and 'dining.' I wouldn't expect you to understand."The man beside Marcela chuckled, a sound of shared amusement at Darien' expense. He leaned closer to Marcela whispering something in her ear that made her laugh again, her eyes never leaving Darien's, enjoying the discomfort she was causing.Across the table, Emma's eyes widened, a mix of confusion and hurt flashing across her young face. She was unaccustomed to this level of open hostility, and her initial excitement about the dinner had long since faded, replaced by a growing unease.Darien, noticing her discomfort, felt a surge of defiance rise within him. It wasn't just about him anymore; it wa
67"Really, Darien, you never cease to amuse," Marcela taunted, leaning back in her chair, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards in a smirk.Darien, his patience fraying at the edges, couldn't help but roll his eyes. This woman, Marcela, exuding malice and enjoying every second of his discomfort, was the same one he had helped countless times before. He had supported her daughter, Cersei, both financially and emotionally, investing in her business when no one else would. And just three weeks ago, he had been there for Marcela and her son at the mayor's gala, saving their lives. Yet, here she was, repaying his kindness with venom."Marcela, your short memory astounds me," he retorted, his voice laced with barely-contained irritation. "Wasn't it I who lent you the money to start your daughter' precious business?"Marcela's smirk faltered for a moment, a flash of annoyance crossing her features. "And let's not forget the night I saved you and your son at the Mayor' gala. But pleas