With the meal ready, Kason asked the servants to leave them in privacy, ensuring a quiet dining experience for just the two of them.
“Please be at ease, Miss Wilson. The staff won’t interrupt us unless I call for them,” Kason assured her, his posture reflecting his military discipline.
Just as Norah was about to remove her mask to eat, a young man’s voice came from the door. “Kason, I came to see how great-grandpa is doing.”
A young man walked into the living room. “I heard you’ve tracked down the Supernatural Doctor. Is that right? When will she come? How is great-grandpa today?” The young man was quite talkative, speaking a lot before even coming over.
Spotting Norah dressed in black at the table, he promptly said to Kason, “Oh, you’ve got company. I was just wondering why the servants were all hanging around outside.”
Norah recognized the young man. It was Kaiden Hayes, a close friend of Spencer’s. The two of them visited Glamour Club together every day.
Kaiden was still young; if Norah remembered correctly, he was a freshman this year. Word had it that he was a bit of a player, always up for a good time.
Upon spotting Norah, Kaiden inquired with a hint of speculation, “Could this be… your girlfriend?”
Kason’s expression quickly turned stern. “This is our guest. Please offer your apologies,” he instructed.
Kaiden, undeterred and wearing a broad grin, took a seat opposite Norah, teasing, “Is she really not your girlfriend, Kason? It’s unusual to see you bring a woman home.”
Norah responded with a light-hearted, “Is that so?” Observing Kason’s displeased expression, Kaiden awkwardly rubbed his head. “Yes, it’s true. I’ve never seen him with a woman before. You’re the first. My apologies-I didn’t mean to imply anything.”
Norah had a favorable opinion of Kaiden. She saw him as a chatty teen, and though a bit offensive, she found herself quite fond of him. She gave Kason an amused glance and reassured him, “It’s all good.”
Kaiden, not one to let the conversation drop, turned back to Kason, pressing, “Now that I’ve said sorry, you still haven’t answered me! What did the Supernatural Doctor say? And how’s great-grandpa doing?”
Kason, catching a subtle cue from Norah, replied, “The Supernatural Doctor gave the diagnosis, believing your great-grandpa has another two or three years, and she can alleviate his symptoms.”
Kaiden’s eyes lit up in amazement. “That’s incredible! So many others had given up hope, yet she found a way! She must be remarkable. What does she look like? Is she a teenager or a grown woman? Is she young? She must be quite old, right?” Kaiden bombarded Kason with questions without pausing for answers.
Norah tried to stifle her laughter at Kason’s expression, finding the situation amusing.
“Why do you ask so many questions? Her identity is confidential, and I’m not at liberty to share details,” Kason explained with a sidelong glance at Norah.
“What? I didn’t ask much. Fine then,” Kaiden said, sounding disappointed.
Kaiden turned his attention back to Norah and said, “Aren’t you going to eat? Why not remove your mask?” Caught off guard, Norah hesitated.
Norah looked at Kason, contemplating her next move. Given Kason’s earlier remarks, Kaiden might start suspecting her true identity as the Supernatural Doctor. Norah had become quite recognizable recently. She had been shining brightly at the Krusa Mountain Racing after taking her mask off the other day.
Kason’s voice was icy as he said, “Just go see your great-grandpa and then head out. Don’t expect to stay here. You’re not invited.”
Kaiden looked full of sorrow and pleaded, “Come on, Kason. It’s time for a meal. Can’t I just eat with you?”
Kason declined sharply. “I didn’t order the meal for you.”
Kaiden objected, “But there are so many dishes on the table, aren’t there?” His eyes then shifted to Norah, sitting across from them, guessing that Kason might prefer dining alone with her. He had yet to see Norah’s face behind the mask, and his curiosity was piqued.
Norah sat back, entertained by their argument.
“Mr. Scott, Miss Wilson visited the Hayes family’s residence today,” Phillip said in the tidy and bright office. He was dressed in a black suit and addressed Sean respectfully, who was seated and engrossed in reading documents.
Sean glanced at the papers in his hand, turned a page, and casually asked, “Did she mention when she’s coming to the Scott family’s residence?”
“Not yet,” Phillip responded, mopping the sweat from his brow. Since their last encounter, Norah had vanished without a trace.
Without his efforts to gather information, her location would remain unknown. Every day, Sean eagerly awaited a message from Norah, but none came. Phillip noticed Sean’s expression growing increasingly tense with each passing day.
With a laugh, Sean murmured, “Norah.”
He tossed the documents onto his desk and declared, “Let’s go. We’re visiting Devante.”
Meanwhile, Kaiden failed to sway Kason and left the villa dejected. Resting against the door frame, he said, “Kason, when will I meet your mysterious lady? Since she’s here, why not share a meal?”
Standing at the doorway, Kason sighed helplessly. “Go away.” Then, he firmly shut the door, leaving the room in silence.
Norah then removed her mask, smiled, and said, “Mr. Hayes, your nephew sure is something.”
Kason sank into his chair and rubbed his forehead. “Lack of hope bothering you?” He then served Norah a drink, saying, “This cedar wine is specially selected for you. Please, enjoy.”
Cedar wine, crafted from pine tree sap and enriched with valuable brewing ingredients, commanded a high price-truly a gem among wines. Norah, who once drank it as if it were water, took the glass, inhaled its scent, and confirmed its authenticity.
“Mr. Hayes, this is wonderful,” she said.
“I truly enjoy it,” Norah said, taking a sip and relishing the distinct flavor of cedar wine, which made her squint her eyes involuntarily. The flavor was delightful to her.
Kason watched Norah savor the wine with a contented look. He couldn’t help but think that, in moments like these, Norah seemed joyously childlike, cherishing her newfound delights.
He began describing the dishes on the table to Norah, keen on keeping the conversation flowing smoothly. Even though he was usually reserved, he was more talkative today than usual.
Once they had finished their meal, Norah used a napkin to wipe her lips and then said, “Mr. Hayes, there’s no need for such formality. I’m grateful for your kindness today. I take my leave now. Should I come to deliver the treatment, I’ll contact you first.”
Kason simply nodded in agreement and said, “Please transfer the payment for today’s visit to my account. I promise to honor our agreement soon.”
Norah put on her mask again, ready to leave.
Suddenly, a servant announced, “Mr. Hayes, Mr. Scott has arrived.”
Norah paused, surprised by the unexpected connection between Sean and Kason.
Kason didn’t expect Sean to come looking for him. He paused before turning to Norah and said, “Norah, I’ve got another guest to attend to. Let’s plan to meet another time.”
He approached Norah, intending to escort her out.
Norah gestured dismissively and said, “No worries, Mr. Hayes. I came by myself. You go ahead and tend to your visitor. Farewell.”
As she reached the gate, she encountered Sean, Phillip, and four bodyguards making their entrance. Sean’s men and Kason’s met in the yard.
Having crossed paths with Norah a few times before, Sean quickly identified the masked figure as her.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.