Chapter 190

No sooner had Michael Johnson left than Lily Green appeared before Ian Stone in her stilettos.

With no cameras around, she could finally drop all pretenses.

"Ian!" she cooed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Ian looked up, brows slightly furrowed.

Lily settled beside him without invitation, her skirt brushing against his trousers.

"You came to see me, didn't you?" She tilted her head, flashing what she believed was her most charming smile.

Ian subtly shifted away.

"I saw the name on the medical records," Lily whispered, batting her lashes. "Don't worry—your secret's safe with me."

Ian paused mid-movement, halting his attempt to stand.

"Thanks," he said flatly.

"Since when do we stand on formalities?" Lily playfully swatted his arm.

Ian suppressed the urge to recoil.

"And what exactly is our relationship?" he countered.

Lily flushed, biting her lip. "After... after everything, you're still playing dumb?"

Ian nearly choked on his own saliva.

"I'm here for medical treatment," he deflected.

Lily instantly adopted a concerned expression. "What's wrong?"

"My heart." Ian gestured to his chest. "Lucy White says she can treat it."

At the mention of Lucy's name, a shadow flickered in Lily's eyes.

"Is she even qualified?" she feigned worry. "Maybe you should see Dean Xavier instead?"

Ian shook his head. "Dean Xavier recommended her."

Lily's fingers tightened around her skirt.

"You and Lucy..." she ventured, "are you really just classmates?"

"Yeah." His tone remained indifferent.

Lily pouted. "I don't like her. She's always bullying me."

A glacial glint flashed through Ian's eyes.

"What do you want?" he asked.

Lily's gaze grew calculating. "Ian, you should pursue her."

"Pursue her?"

"Yes!" Lily said excitedly. "Once she cures you, dump her. Let her taste what it feels like to be played!"

A cold smile curled Ian's lips.

"Brilliant idea," he said.

Too absorbed in her triumph, Lily missed the dangerous shift in his demeanor.

Footsteps approached in the distance, prompting her to scramble upright.

"I should go." She hurried off, her heels clacking urgently against the stone path.

Ian watched her retreating figure, his expression turning arctic.

Meanwhile, Lucy White and Ethan Smith sat in Dean Xavier's office.

"Welcome aboard!" The dean beamed as he handed them two forms.

Lucy finished filling hers out swiftly and cut to the chase. "I heard your institute houses rare medicinal herbs?"

Dean Xavier stroked his beard. "Those are our treasures."

"Are they for sale?" Lucy asked bluntly.

The dean shook his head. "Not normally, no."

Curious, he inquired, "What do you need?"

Lucy exchanged a glance with Ethan.

"Century-old lingzhi," she said. "To save a life."

Dean Xavier's expression sobered. "That urgent?"

Outside the window, a shadow flitted past unnoticed.