Chapter 2

2.

Victoria sighed heavily. "That orchid can't heal you, Preston. For nerve regeneration, Willow is your last hope..."

"I said Serena can heal me! She's the only one who would sacrifice everything for me," Preston insisted stubbornly.

I gave Preston one last, long look, then turned and walked away.

Just as I stepped out of the manor gates, a black car pulled up in front of me.

The door slid open, and a woman, impeccably dressed but with a haggard face, stepped out.

Standing in the cold, drizzling rain, the matriarch of the Cole family gripped my hand, her voice choked with emotion.

"Miss Evans, I'm begging you, please save my son..."

Her knees buckled, and she almost fell to the ground. I quickly helped her up.

I remembered then that the late-night street racing accident a year ago didn't just injure Preston. His biggest rival, Sebastian Cole, heir to the Cole family, was also in that crash.

After the horrific accident, Sebastian was left in a vegetative state, kept alive only by machines.

After the painful lesson from my past life, I had sworn never to reveal the secret of my blood again.

So, I politely but firmly declined Eleanor's request.

Eleanor didn't push. She just wiped away her tears in despair and got back in her car.

A week later, I received an invitation to a gala hosted by the Sterling family.

Apparently, Serena had returned with the mythical orchid.

Victoria, worried the "cure" might be dangerous, had specifically asked me to attend as a third-party expert to evaluate it.

The gala was held at a private club on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Serena, dressed in a white gown, stood protectively by Preston’s side.

Victoria grabbed my hand, her face etched with worry, her champagne untouched.

"I'm not worried that Serena's medicine won't work. I'm worried about seeing Preston disappointed again. This past year, I've watched the hope in his eyes die a little more with every doctor we've seen. As a mother, I'm at my breaking point..."

Before I could offer any comfort, Serena pushed Preston’s wheelchair over to us.

"Don't you worry, Mrs. Sterling. I will get Preston back on his feet. I almost died on that mountain for this orchid," she said, tears welling in her eyes.

Preston squeezed her hand, his face filled with emotion. "As soon as I can stand, we'll have the biggest wedding this city has ever seen."

"I believe in you," Serena whispered back.

She then turned to me, a triumphant smirk on her face.

"I'm not like those other doctors who just sell false hope. My method will absolutely cure Preston."

Her words made several of the top neurosurgeons in the room, all of whom had consulted on Preston's case, scowl.

"Miss Moon, are you seriously suggesting that an herb not even approved by the FDA can cure necrotic nerve damage?"

"You don't even have a medical license, yet you dare question our professional judgment?"

"Even the brilliant Willow Evans said he couldn't be cured. I highly doubt you have what it takes!"