Chapter 318

The following morning,at the Sampson Villa...

The bathroom glowed softly, the light spreading a warm,gentle haze.

At the sink, Isaac carefully squeezed toothpaste onto Verena's brush before tending to his own. Both were preparing to brush their teeth.

Beside him, Verena was in front of the mirror, casually fixing her hair.

When her eyes drifted upward, they landed on her own neck.

There, several hickeys stood vividly against her delicate skin-like scarlet stamps of last night's passion, impossible to ignore.

As though drawn by some silent thread, her gaze met Isaac's in the mirror.

Verena shot him a playful glare.

Isaac immediately set down his toothbrush, his voice laced with apology yet softened by affection. "Sorry, I lost control last night."

His voice, low and magnetic, carried a subtle current that lingered in Verena's ears.

She smiled, leaned close, and brushed a gentle kiss against the corner of his lips. "Alright, you're forgiven."

After completing their morning routine, Verena reached for concealer and carefully covered the hickeys on her neck.

Downstairs, Joseph and Marisa were seated on the sofa,while Luis lingered on the balcony, speaking on the phone.

When Verena and Isaac came down, Joseph immediately instructed a servant to bring out breakfast.

The family gathered around the table. They ate together, though Luis finished quickly and left for the company.

Under Joseph's and Marisa's watchful eyes, Verena managed a glass of milk and a sandwich.

Realizing she couldn't eat more, they held back from pressing her further.

Once breakfast ended, she and lsaac lingered for a while,chatting with her parents before preparing to leave.

Marisa, however, looked reluctant. She clung to Verena's hand, urging her again and again not to go.

Verena patiently comforted her, promising she would visit again in just a few days. At last, Marisa relented.

The moment they stepped outside, Verena's phone rang.

The caller was Sherwood.

She answered and greeted politely, "Hello, Mr. Kirk."

From the other end came a gentle male voice."Verena, I hope I'm not intruding?"

Though he couldn't see her, Verena pressed her lips together and kept a polite smile.

"Of course not, Mr.Kirk."

"Good," Sherwood said. He continued after a pause,as if weighing his words, "Verena, I once told you about my health troubles. This illness cannot be put off any longer. I wanted to ask for your help, but l worried I might consume too much of your time.Would now be convenient?"

At those words, Isaac's eyes narrowed, a flicker of sternness darkening his gaze.

Despite her wariness,Verena remembered her promise.

Besides, she wasn't certain if their suspicions were correct.

So she answered firmly, "Mr. Kirk, don't worry. I'll do everything I can to help you recover. Send me the address-I'll come right away."

Once the call ended, Isaac spoke without hesitation,his tone firm as stone. "I'll go with you."

His eyes left no room for refusal.

But Verena smiled gently and shook her head. Her voice softened."No need.You have matters to handle -go on and take care of them."

Seeing his hesitation, she reassured him. "Don't worry.Even if he harbors schemes, he won't dare act openly.I'm going there at his request to treat him. He wouldn't be so reckless."

Isaac frowned, his concern still etched deeply. "Are you certain you don't want me along? Sherwood is cunning.I worry for you."

Verena leaned down, brushed a kiss across his cheek,and looked steadily into his eyes. "I'll be fine. Don't you trust my ability? Besides, Luis is still here. Once l finish, I'll update you at once, alright?" Isaac sighed in resignation, tapping her nose lightly with a fingertip. "Be very careful. The moment anything feels wrong, call me. I'll be there in a heartbeat."

Verena nodded. "Alright, don't worry."

So they parted-lsaac back to Shoildon, Verena into the car bound for the Kirk family residence.

Half an hour later, her car eased onto the road leading to the Kirk family villa.

Just then, a black veicle approached head-on.

As they passed each other, Verena,idly watching the scenery outside, caught sight of a middle-aged man seated in the back.

He wore a gray suit and square-framed glasses, their lenses glinting faintly in the sunlight, adding a touch of mystery.

A brown birthmark marked his right cheek, prominent and unmistakable.

Verena's eyes narrowed slightly. The face tugged at her memory.

A wave of familiarity washed over her, and she frowned,searching her mind. Then, in a sudden flash, she recalled-she had seen him at last night's party.

Wasn't he a senior executive from Sampson Group?

Her eyes sharpened at once,puzzlement stirring within her.

This road led straight to the Kirk family villa. Why was he here?

As her car neared the villa gates, she forced herself to set aside the thought for now.

The car stopped at the entrance. Sherwood greeted her warmly, his face spread in welcoming smiles.

"Verena,you came so quickly."

She returned his warmth with composure, smiling gently. "Mr. Kirk, since you're unwell, I wouldn't dare delay."

With that, she followed him into the living room.

"Isaac didn't come with you?" Sherwood asked casually.

Verena remained poised. Her lips curved slightly as she shook her head. "He returned to Shoildon for business." "I see." He nodded.

In the living room, he gestured for her to sit,and then personally poured her a cup of coffee, his manner all attentiveness.

"Try this, Verena. I prepared it especially for you," he said, offering the cup.

She accepted politely, thanked him, took a light sip,and then placed it down again, cutting straight to the matter."Mr. Kirk, let's talk about your health."

At once, Sherwood nodded. "Very well. Please follow me to the private medical facility in the back garden."

Wealth often brought its own form of caution-many powerful families built clinics within their homes.

Sherwood's, however, was not only complete but luxurious, with advanced equipment and shelves stocked with medicine, a testament to how much he prized his health.

Verena began by reviewing his past medical records before conducting a thorough examination herself.

After careful confirmation, her conclusion was clear -he had liver cancer, already in the intermediate to late s The liver, that silent organ, often gave no early warning. By the time liver cancer was discovered,many patients were already beyond the first stage.

At that point, the best chance for surgery was gone.

In such cases, operations could seldom remove the tumor completely. And even when surgery succeeded,the risk of recurrence and metastasis loomed large.