Chapter 3

3.

Preston, though he thought Serena's words were a bit rash, still defended her. "I trust Serena! She's the only one who has ever risked her life for me!"

I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

Serena thought I was mocking her and shot me a furious glare.

"Miss Evans, I hear you're the most brilliant blood specialist of your generation in the Evans family. Yet first, you turn down the Sterlings, then you turn down the Coles. It makes one wonder if you have any real ability at all."

I smiled faintly, swirling the red wine in my glass. "In that case, I look forward to the day Miss Moon performs a medical miracle."

Seeing that I wasn't taking the bait, Serena bit her lip. "Are you just jealous that I stole your spotlight? I know Victoria wanted you and Preston to get married, to merge the two families. But now, I'm the only one who can cure him."

From his wheelchair, Preston sneered. "Even if you could cure me, I would never marry a cold-blooded woman like you. Besides, you're completely useless. My mother praised you so much I thought you were some kind of genius, but you're just a fraud."

He paused, his tone growing even sharper. "The only person I love is Serena. If it weren't for her, I would rather stay unmarried for the rest of my life. No matter how hard you try, I will never give you a second glance."

Watching their heartfelt performance, I scoffed.

"Mrs. Sterling invited me here to verify the safety of Miss Moon’s medicine. Since Mr. Sterling trusts this woman so completely, there’s no need for me to meddle."

I turned to leave, but Serena blocked my path.

"Willow, what's that supposed to mean? Are you running away?"

I frowned. "It means exactly what it sounds like. Do I need to repeat myself?"

Serena snorted, raising her voice to draw the attention of the entire room.

"Willow, I dare you to make a bet with me. Let's bet on who can cure the incurable. The loser has to kneel, admit defeat in front of everyone, and get the hell out of New York, never to return!"

I stopped in my tracks and turned to face her.

"I'll take that bet. But I won't be treating Preston. I'm going to treat Sebastian Cole."

"Ten days. Let's see if you can get Preston to stand up, or if I can wake Sebastian from his coma."

"Serena, do you dare?"

As I spoke, a wave of murmurs swept through the ballroom.

All eyes were on us.

"Isn't the Cole kid on the verge of being declared brain dead? That's way harder to treat than Preston's legs."

"Yeah, if the Coles weren't spending a fortune on life support, he'd already be gone."

"If Willow can actually wake Sebastian up, it would be a miracle in medical history!"

"A month would be a stretch. How could she possibly do it in ten days?"

Hearing the crowd's chatter, a flicker of smugness crossed Serena's face.

She was sure she had already won.

"You're on. With all these distinguished guests as our witnesses, don't come crying to me when you lose, Willow."

I nodded slightly. "I won't lose."