Nora's Miracle Cure!

Evelyn stared at the photo.

In it, she and Sophia stood by the sea.

Both wore white chiffon dresses.

She was in front, Sophia behind her.

They were smiling brightly and warmly.

They looked like a close mother and daughter pair.

But she never owned a white chiffon dress...

She hadn't seen Sophia since leaving the Ashcroft family in middle school.

How could there be a photo together?

She took the old lady's phone.

She zoomed in on the photo for a closer look.

She quickly found the flaw!

The photo was a composite.

The technique was crude and clumsy.

It looked like a random mother-daughter photo was taken from online.

Her and Sophia's faces were photoshopped onto it...

She looked at the old lady. "When was this sent to you?"

The old lady shook her head blankly. "I can't remember."

"How was it sent? Email? Or text message?"

The old lady continued shaking her head. "I can't recall."

Evelyn sighed.

The old lady occasionally said shocking things.

But she could never explain the context.

It was frustrating.

But the old lady was unusually firm. "Granddaughter-in-law, she is your mother. You can't ignore your mother..."

If only it were possible.

How she wished Sophia was truly her mother...

Evelyn lowered her gaze, hiding the bitterness in her eyes. "...I know."

She escorted the old lady back to her room.

Alexander Vance stood in the hallway and did not enter.

Thomas Watson approached quickly. "Boss, it's confirmed. Miss Ross was working a part-time job at that private dining restaurant. She happened to run into the Ashcroft family..."

She went home, showered, and changed clothes.

He thought she was going on a date with her boyfriend!

The corner of Alexander's lips lifted almost imperceptibly.

His voice was low. "Does the Vance Group not pay her enough?"

Why else would she take an outside job!

Thomas replied, "It's quite substantial. It was arranged by the Madam herself! Perhaps Jason Lawrence gave her work that was too difficult? She's afraid of being fired?"

Evelyn's movements within the company were all under Thomas's surveillance.

Alexander didn't think it was that simple. "What were the Ashcrofts doing at the private dining place?"

Thomas answered, "They had an appointment with Dr. Nan. Young Master Julian Evans was also there for that reason."

"What about Dr. Nan?"

"Never showed up in the end..."

A deep light flickered in Alexander's eyes.

A vague guess formed.

But the idea was too absurd.

...

After resting for two hours, Sophia felt much better.

She spoke with a light cough. "Isabella, let Julian go back first."

Isabella looked embarrassed.

Julian wasn't staying out of concern for Sophia.

It was clearly because of Dr. Nan!

She hesitated. "Mom, what about Dr. Nan..."

Sophia understood. "Give me my phone. I stood up Dr. Nan today. I should explain."

After she sent a message to Dr. Nan and rescheduled the meeting, Isabella saw Julian out.

Isabella said softly, "Julian, don't worry. Dr. Nan will definitely be no problem."

Julian's tone was grave. "Isabella, there are several tough people in the Vance Group R&D department right now. They don't respect me at all. Jason Lawrence is one of them. Only by bringing Dr. Nan on board can I achieve something for the department and secure my position. So Dr. Nan is crucial to me. You must persuade him."

"Okay."

They talked as they walked into the elevator.

Evelyn emerged from a corner after they left.

She didn't want to conflict with Isabella in front of Sophia.

It might agitate Sophia and worsen her condition.

She pushed open the hospital room door and walked in.

William Ashcroft's face darkened instantly when he saw her. "What are you doing here?! Get out!"

Evelyn's eyes turned cold.

Sophia's gentle voice came from the room. "Is that Evelyn? Let her in."

William glared at Evelyn warningly. "Don't upset the Madam again!"

"I already said today wasn't Evelyn's fault. I haven't slept well for days. I was just too tired..."

Sophia chided him gently.

She took Evelyn's hand. "Good child, were you frightened today?"

Though Sophia was thin and had a cool demeanor, her palms were warm.

Evelyn smiled. "No."

"That's good. Come home to visit more often."

Sophia leaned against the hospital bed, her expression kind. "And that husband of yours. Your mother says he's a ruffian, but I don't believe it. Evelyn has always had good judgment and strong opinions. Anyone you chose must have their merits. Bring him to see me someday."

Evelyn's nose tingled with emotion. "...Okay."

From the day she got the marriage certificate, everyone had given her scorn and humiliation.

Only with Sophia did she receive genuine care.

Sophia wanted to say more but started coughing violently again.

William said urgently, "Alright, that's enough. Rest properly."

Evelyn stood up.

She pulled a plastic medicine bottle from her pocket and placed it in Sophia's hand. "This is... a cough medicine I asked someone to get for you. Take one pill when you can't sleep at night."

"Okay."

Evelyn didn't want to disturb Sophia's rest and took her leave.

After she left, Sophia looked at the medicine bottle and sighed. "Evelyn does care about me."

William said dismissively, "Cares about you? Then why hasn't she come to see you in ten years? You, how can you be bought off with this bottle of medicine from who knows where?!"

He casually threw the bottle into the trash. "I heard Nora's developed a special cough medicine that's entered clinical trials. I'll pull some strings to get it for you!"

Sophia's eyes dimmed. "You believe those rumors too? Chronic neurogenic cough is a niche condition. Who would develop medicine for it in their free time? The R&D costs wouldn't even be recouped..."

William held her hand. "We have to try. It's terrible watching you cough all night, unable to sleep. It pains my heart..."

Sophia could only nod.

Late at night, everything was quiet.

Sophia suddenly opened her eyes.

Another fit of violent coughing seized her.

She was exhausted to the extreme but simply couldn't sleep.

She turned on her side, trying to suppress the itch in her throat.

She didn't want to wake William sleeping in the outer room.

No one knew how desperate she truly felt.

Neurogenic chronic cough was incurable...

Her condition was worsening.

The anxiety from lack of sleep had even made her contemplate ending it all.

If not for her strong will, she might have already...

But she didn't know how much longer she could hold on...

Lately, she'd felt her life fading away more and more.

Perhaps she wouldn't live to see her daughter get married?

Sophia thought pessimistically.

Her eyes fell on the medicine bottle in the trash.

Almost as if possessed, she picked it up.

She shook out a white pill and placed it in her mouth...