When Ethan first saw the ne, he had unconsciously pictured bLillian /bwearing it. Now, seeing it around Ste’s neck, a strange emotion stirred within bhim/b.

b“/bWhy are you only getting back now? I told you to pick up Ste, but she came bback /bon her own!”

Ethan nced at Ste again before shifting his gaze away front the ne on her neck.

Madeline patted Ste’s hand. “Ste, bwait /bhere for a moment. I need to have a word with Ethan.”

Ste nodded slightly, and Madeline shot Ethan a look before leading him upstairs to the study. There was no need to guess —it was about Lillian. Madeline still didn’t trust him and was going to drill it into him once more. The conversationsted

half an hour.

When mother and son came downstairs, both had regained theirposure. Clearly, anything unpleasant had been set baside/b.

Madeline smiled warmly at Ste. “Ste, I’ll check on things in the kitchen. You and Ethan should talk.”

Before Ste could respond, Madeline had already walked away, taking the butler and maids with her, leaving the two of

them alone.

Ste was s

still ying a game on her phone, the sound of gunfire echoing from the speakers. Ethan immediately recognized it as the most popr mobile game at the moment.

A woman who doesn’t know how to do anything but y games–how could the elders possibly believe she’s fit to be my wife? bEthan /bthought, irritation creeping in

He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could speak, he saw Ste’s fingers flying over the screen,pletely engrossed, as if he didn’t exist.

Her indifference made him even more frustrated.

Just then, his phone rang, it was Susan. Ethan instinctively bnced /bat Ste. Seeing that she was still deeply engaged in her game, he stepped outside to take the call,pletely forgetting Madeline’s earlier warning to bminimize /bcontact with the Reed family.

He answered, “Madam bSusan/b.”

Susan’s anxious voice came through. “Ethan, what are we going to do? One of the most important doctors for Lillian’s btreatment /bjust left bthe /bcountry.”

Ethan frowned. “Which doctor?”

“A top gynecologist–Rivermount’s genius professor, Rianne.”

Ethan replied, “I’ll find bsomeone /belse. Don’t worry.”

To him, it was just a doctor. There were plenty of skilled professors and specialists bavable/b. Well, maybe not as young as this one, but still, it’s bnot /blike they’re irreceable.

Susan grew even bmore /bfrantic. “No, it bhas /bto be her! I’ve already looked binto /bthe alternatives, and most of them rmend

surgery.

“You know how fragile Lillian’s health is right now. I heard that Dr. Rianne’s expertise is remarkableb, /bband /bin her care, might be able to recover without needing surgery.”

Her heart needed surgery. Her liver needed surgery. How could her body possibly bendure /bso many major operationsb? /b

Lillian

Chapter 17 The Doctor Lillian Needs Is Ste’s Best Friend?

Ethan mulled it over. Rianne… That name sounds familiar. Where had I heard it before!

Susan confirmed, “Yes, she’s a young genius, still quite young

The words still quite young instantly triggered his memory–Rianne was Ste’s best friend.

I’ll handle it,” he bsaid/b.

“Ethan, please try to secure Dr. bRianne/b. You know Lillian’s body can’t btake /bmuch more.”

“I understand.”

Ethan ended the bcall/b. The conversation hadsted a full ten minutes.

Finished

When he walked back inside, he saw that Ste’s game had just ended. Judging by her expression, she had won. She nced toward the dining area–since it was still quiet, dinner probably wasn’t ready yet.

She was about to start another round when Ethan suddenly snatched her phone away.

Ste looked up. What bare /byou doing?”

“Rianne, is she your best friend?”

Ste narrowed her eyes. “So what?”

“Did you have something to do with her leaving the country?

Justst night, Lillian had needed emergency care at the hospital, and during the same visit, they had conducted urgent examinations. The hospital director had even held ate–night meeting to assemble her medical team.

Rianne was definitely on that team, yet now, she had suddenly left the country.

She was Ste’s best friend. If Ste wasn’t binvolved /bin this, Ethan wouldn’t believe it for a second.