Sophia Ashcroft swallowed the white pill.

A cool sensation instantly spread through her mouth.

The itch in her throat was gently soothed.

She swallowed it without water.

"Cough, cough…"

Another fit of violent coughing wracked her.

She shook her head with a bitter smile.

For a fleeting moment, she had actually thought the medicine was working.

...Wishful thinking.

Sophia lay back on the bed and closed her eyes.

This was an old ailment, over twenty years now.

A nervous cough.

She had seen countless specialists and taken countless medications.

None of it worked.

...

"Ash? Wake up!"

Sophia slowly opened her eyes.

William Ashcroft stood by the bed.

The room was blindingly bright.

Were the hospital lights always this strong?

"Wha… what time is it?" she asked, confused.

"Ten in the morning," William replied, his face full of concern. "You should eat something."

Sophia froze.

She turned to look out the window.

That wasn't electric light.

It was sunlight!

She had actually slept through the night?

How was that possible!

It was the medicine Evelyn gave her!

Nanny Nancy, standing nearby, was emotional, her eyes red-rimmed. "Madam, that sleeping aid from yesterday really worked! You slept a full ten hours!"

Sophia was stunned. "What sleeping aid?"

Nanny Nancy glanced at Isabella. "It was a potent sleeping aid Young Master Julian Evans procured. He added it to your medicine. They didn't tell you, afraid you'd worry and not sleep. Who knew it would work so well!"

Sophia paused.

Was that it?

But a sleeping aid only helps with sleep.

Today, her throat felt noticeably more comfortable.

Her gaze fell on the plastic bottle by her pillow.

She would test it again tonight.

Take just the sleeping aid, not this.

See what the effect was.

Sophia remained silent.

William looked at Isabella, pleased. "That boy Julian is truly commendable. I heard the flu is rampant, the inpatient wards are completely full. There was no chance of getting a room yesterday. He pulled strings to arrange this. We owe him a lot this time."

Sophia then learned the VIP suite was arranged by Julian. "He is a good boy."

Isabella seized the opportunity. "Mom, since Julian is so filial, perhaps you could help him too."

Sophia asked, "How can I help?"

William thought of something. "Is it about work?"

Isabella nodded with a sigh. "The family wants Julian to head the R&D department, but the senior researchers don't respect him. If we could secure Dr. Nan's technical support, Julian could establish his authority."

Isabella looked at Sophia.

She saw the expected struggle on her mother's face.

Sophia always disliked calling in favors.

But she hated being indebted even more.

After a moment's hesitation, Sophia finally said, "I'll ask Dr. Nan. But if he refuses, that's it."

Isabella beamed. "Okay."

In her experience, Dr. Nan had never refused Sophia.

Sophia took out her phone, found Dr. Nan's WhatsApp, and carefully composed a message: [Dr. Nan, are you free? I need to ask a favor.]

Evelyn Ross received the message just after returning from her walk with Eleanor Vance.

She frowned.

What did Sophia want?

Was there a problem with yesterday's medicine?

Or some adverse reaction?

That drug was still in clinical trials.

She had intended to wait until the trials concluded before giving it to Sophia.

But seeing Sophia so ill, she had provided it early.

A wave of anxiety hit her.

She asked the nurse to take the老夫人 back to her room and hurried straight to Sophia's suite.

Alexander Vance, working in the outer office, saw his grandmother enter and instinctively looked behind her.

But the familiar figure wasn't there.

His eyes darkened. "Where is Ms. Ross?"

The老夫人 said, "She went to her mother's room."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong with Mrs. Ashcroft?"

The老夫人 grew worried. "My granddaughter-in-law ran there just now. You brat, go check on them!"

Alexander pressed his lips together.

He thought for a moment, then stood and walked out.

Thomas Watson hurried to follow.

...

Evelyn quickly entered the ward.

She found it crowded.

Julian Evans was there.

Linda Lowell was also present.

Someone had said something amusing, and everyone was laughing.

Her entrance cut the laughter short.

Standing in the doorway, Evelyn felt out of place.

Sophia seemed fine.

She lowered her head, preparing to leave.

Sophia wanted to call out to her.

But with the room full of people, it felt inappropriate.

She would find a chance to meet alone later.

But Linda spoke up. "Well, if it isn't Ms. Ross? Now that you've climbed the social ladder with Mrs. Vance, you look down on us?"

Evelyn said nothing, turning to leave.

Linda grabbed her arm. "I hear you spend all day currying favor with Mrs. Vance, even handling her waste. Do you really think she sees you as a granddaughter? Dream on! You're just a plaything to them!"

Isabella quickly interjected, "Don't say that, Mrs. Vance values Evelyn highly..."

Linda's voice grew louder. "What kind of value is that? The way Young Master Julian treats Isabella is true regard!"

She looked ingratiatingly at Julian. "I heard the wards were completely full yesterday, many important people couldn't get a room. It was all thanks to Young Master Julian's help that Madam got this VIP suite!"

Julian glanced at Evelyn, offering a modest smile. "My uncle didn't know about this, otherwise he would have helped. I merely did my small part."

"Your 'small part' was a huge help!"

Linda turned her scorn back to Evelyn. "Even if Mr. Vance knew, he wouldn't care about you. No matter how much you fawn, he'd only see you as some stray..."

Evelyn clenched her fist.

She didn't want to argue here and disturb Sophia's rest.

Alexander Vance, who had just arrived outside the door, heard every word clearly.

His face turned cold. He glanced at Thomas.

Thomas immediately understood, cleared his throat, and entered the room. "Mrs. Ashcroft, I'm here on Mr. Vance's behalf to see how you are. Is this suite to your satisfaction?"