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Chapter 1 Ophelia Gets Thrown Out

Abigail Vossen's furious voice echoed through the dining room. "Starting today, you have nothing to do with the Vossen family.

"Take your things and get out. No wonder I've always hated you. Turns out you were never my daughter in the first place."

Ophelia Vossen hadn't even finished her breakfast when Abigail slammed a stack of personal documents onto the table in front of her.

The reason for Abigail's hatred was simple. Ophelia had lived for eighteen years as her daughter, enjoying the wealth and status of the Vossen family, while Abigail's real daughter had suffered in poverty, raised by a janitor's family.

"I understand." Ophelia's tone was flat as she neatly slipped the documents into her black handbag.

Just then, the maid Mia spoke up. "Ophelia, everything you own was provided by Mr. and Mrs. Vossen. You have no right to take anything from this house. May I check your bag?"

Reminded by Mia, Abigail immediately nodded. "Yes. Check her bag."

Cameron Vossen, seated at the head of the table, finally intervened, "That's enough. Look at the size of that bag? What could she possibly take?"

Even if Ophelia wasn't his daughter, she had lived in this home for eighteen years. Cameron couldn't help but feel a little sympathy.

But Ophelia didn't care. She turned the bag upside down, dumping everything onto the table.

"There's nothing in here except the laptop I bought with my scholarship money and an old phone. If you want them, you can have them," she said calmly.

From Ophelia's childhood, Abigail had been cold toward Ophelia. Abigail doted only on her sons, leaving Ophelia to fend for herself.

Ophelia had never spent the family's money; she even turned over her scholarship funds to the household. Nothing in this house truly belonged to her, and she had no desire to take any of it.

Abigail scoffed at her defiant tone, "Scholarship money? If we hadn't paid for your tuition at Dunhollow University, would you have even gotten a scholarship?"

"Mom, let it go. It's just a laptop and a phone. They mean nothing to the Vossen family," Layla Vossen chimed in, pretending to be sympathetic.

"Once she leaves the family, she probably won't even be able to pay her phone bill. Just let her keep them," she added.

Hearing Layla's words, Abigail reluctantly agreed. "Fine. Whatever she leaves behind, I'll buy you new ones. Even if she keeps those things, I'll throw them out later."

There was no way Abigail would let her precious, long-lost daughter use anything that Ophelia had touched.

Layla smiled sweetly, "Mom, I know you care about me, but don't say that in front of Ophelia. She's leaving today. It must be hard for her."

Acting considerate, Layla stood up, gathered the laptop, phone, and documents, and handed them to Ophelia. "Ophelia, don't hate me. Take care of yourself. I'll take good care of Mom and Dad for you."

Her words sounded gentle, but her eyes gleamed with triumph.

Layla had grown up struggling at the bottom of society, calculating, manipulative, and ambitious.

Unfortunately, only Ophelia could see through that fake concern and the mockery in Layla's eyes. The rest of the Vossen family was too blinded by the joy of welcoming back their so-called real daughter.

Ophelia gave a faint, icy smile. "Why would I hate you? I should thank you. Because of your return, I finally have a legitimate reason to walk away from the Vossen family."

Soon enough, Layla would discover how deeply the Vossen family favored their sons over their daughters.

At her smile, Layla froze, unease creeping into her heart. 'Is she really not upset to leave? Why does she look relieved?' she wondered.

"You ungrateful brat?" Abigail exploded, veins bulging on her forehead. "We raised you for eighteen years, and you can't wait to leave? Fine. Go back to that filthy little house where you came from."

Ophelia's lips curved into a cold smirk. "You'll find out soon enough who's really been supporting whom."

The Vossen family was too arrogant to realize that without Ophelia, they were nothing. She had secretly acquired most of their shares and helped them go public. Without her, they would never have become part of the capital's elite circle.

They were the real parasites. And from this day on, Ophelia owed them nothing. One day, they would regret ever letting her go.

Ophelia didn't say another word. She slung her backpack over her shoulder, turned around, and walked away.

Abigail was shaking with anger. "Even the way she talks is unbearable. Once she goes back to that shabby little home of hers, all that arrogance and attitude will vanish soon enough," Abigail shouted after her.

Layla watched Ophelia's back disappear through the gate, a faint, mocking smile curling her lips.

'Ophelia, enjoy living the miserable life that was supposed to be mine,' she thought to herself.

Everyone believed that years ago, Ophelia and Layla had been switched at birth.

Even Ophelia assumed that the people coming to pick her up today would be her biological parents, the poor couple who worked as janitors.

But to everyone's surprise, the moment Ophelia stepped out of the Vossen residence, a sleek, modified black sports car pulled up in front of the gate.

It wasn't a recognizable brand, and it had clearly been customized; every part on it looked outrageously expensive. Even the glass seemed bulletproof.

'What's going on? My parents are supposed to be sanitation workers, aren't they?' Ophelia wondered. 'But only people from the very top of Dunhollow society can afford a car like that.'

The sound of the engine drew Layla out of the house. She couldn't resist watching the scene unfold.

She knew exactly how poor her foster parents were. There was no way they could afford to hire a car, let alone one that looked like that.

Sure enough, the person who stepped out wasn't the humble couple Layla remembered, but a man in a tailored suit.

He froze for a split second when he saw Ophelia, then quickly regained his composure and walked up respectfully. "Ophelia, correct? I'm Samuel, the butler. Mr. and Mrs. Rowle sent me to bring you home."

Abigail burst into laughter. "What did you just say? Mr. and Mrs. Rowle? Her parents are just lowly cleaners. Did her foster parents pay you to play pretend so they could save face?"

She sneered and glanced mockingly at the car. "And that thing? You couldn't even rent a proper luxury car for the act? A nameless piece of junk like this? How cheap."

Samuel frowned slightly. "Cleaners? Pretend?" he repeated under his breath.

'What on earth is this woman talking about?' he thought, completely thrown.

He was convinced Abigail must have lost her mind. Turning back to Ophelia, he said politely, "Ms. Rowle, please get in the car. Mr. and Mrs. Rowle are already waiting for you."

"Okay." Ophelia hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She had discovered during her recent investigation that the hospital fire years ago had caused more than one baby mix-up.

'If Samuel managed to find me this precisely, I should at least go and see what's going on,' she thought.

When Layla realized it wasn't her poor foster parents who had come for Ophelia, she was stunned. "Sir, you must be mistaken. Ophelia's the daughter of my foster parents. There's no way she's from a wealthy family."

Layla had suffered so much growing up in that impoverished household, and she blamed all of it on Ophelia.

'She's the one who should be living that miserable life, not me,' Layla thought bitterly. 'There's no way she's from some rich family.'

Samuel's tone turned cool. "I'm not mistaken. Mr. and Mrs. Rowle already confirmed Ms. Rowle's identity through a DNA test."

Years ago, the Rowle family had believed their daughter had died in that same hospital fire. It was only recently that they learned Ophelia had survived, and that she was truly theirs.

But Samuel didn't feel the need to explain any of that to strangers. His only task was to bring Ophelia home safely.

He then reached for the leather briefcase he'd brought and handed it to Layla. "As a token of appreciation, Mr. and Mrs. Rowle asked me to deliver these gifts to your family. Please accept them."

Inside the case were the Rowle family's gifts for the Vossen family—a luxury car and a villa deed for each of the three Vossen sons, a limited-edition jewelry voucher for Abigail, and antique certificates worth millions for Cameron and his father, Dominic Vossen.

All in all, the contents were worth tens of millions of dollars. If they simply called the stores listed on the certificates, everything would be delivered directly to their door.

But the Vossen family wasn't the least bit grateful.

"Are you insulting us? A lousy briefcase as a thank-you gift? Who would want that?" Before Layla could even react, Abigail snatched the bag from Samuel's hands and tossed it aside disdainfully.

'That shabby bag can't be worth more than three thousand dollars. They call that a gift? Pathetic,' Layla thought, smirking.

"The Vossen family doesn't need your cheap little bag. Take it back," Abigail said with an eye roll.

'Trying to act rich, are they? Using a second-rate bag as a 'thank-you'? I've never seen such ridiculous pretenders,' she thought to herself. 'They can't possibly be from any respectable family.'

Layla nodded in agreement, her tone mocking. "No need. Ophelia can keep it for herself."

Seeing that plain-looking bag, Layla became even more convinced.

'Even if it wasn't those poor cleaners who came for her, so what? There's no way her family's richer than the Vossen family anyway,' she thought smugly.

Samuel watched as Abigail and Layla turned their backs and walked back into the house. He couldn't help but roll his eyes internally.

"Houses and cars worth millions, and they don't want them? The Vossen family really knows how to show arrogance," he muttered under his breath.

Still, he quietly picked up the briefcase and placed it back in the car without another word.

Ophelia had overheard him. Her brow arched slightly.

'Just as I thought, this car isn't ordinary. And neither are the gifts Samuel brought,' she mused.

Chapter 2 Help Requested

The car quickly pulled away from the Vossen residence, and Samuel drove toward the city center, which happened to be close to Dunhollow Hospital.

After thinking for a moment, Ophelia spoke. "Samuel, could you please take me to Dunhollow Hospital first? I need to deliver something to a gentleman."

Every month, Ophelia delivered newly developed medicine to the mayor's father. Normally, she sent someone else, but since she happened to be nearby today, she decided to go herself and check on him at the same time.

Although Samuel was puzzled about why Ophelia wanted to visit the hospital, he didn't ask questions. He simply nodded. "Sure, Ms. Rowle. Just try not to take too long. Mr. and Mrs. Rowle are still waiting."

"Got it," Ophelia replied with a nod.

A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of the hospital. Ophelia stepped out and headed straight for the VIP ward.

Connor Blackwell hadn't expected to see her. The moment he spotted Ophelia, he broke into a cheerful grin. "Hey, Ophelia. What brings you here in person today?"

Normally, Ophelia sent someone else to deliver his medicine, so it had been quite a while since he'd seen her.

Ophelia smiled lightly, "I had some free time today. Besides, you should be almost fully recovered, right? I came to check on you myself."

Connor's face lit up instantly. "Yeah, I've been feeling full of energy lately. Does that mean I can finally go home?"

As he spoke, he obediently let her begin the examination.

Standing nearby, Wyatt, who often accompanied Connor, couldn't help but sigh.

Connor had once served in the military, and his temper had always been fierce. He never took orders from anyone. Yet every time Ophelia was around, he behaved like the most docile patient imaginable.

Ophelia examined him carefully, then nodded. "Your heart and lungs have recovered almost completely. Finish this round of medication, and by the end of the month, you'll be ready for discharge."

Connor beamed with delight. Years ago, he'd been gravely injured on the battlefield, leaving multiple internal organs damaged.

As he aged, those injuries had turned into chronic complications. It was only thanks to the ten-hour surgery Ophelia had performed and the specialized medicine she'd prescribed afterward that he was even alive today.

"Ophelia, I owe everything to you. If you ever need help in Dunhollow, come to me. I'll have your back," he promised.

Ophelia chuckled softly, "I'll keep that in mind."

She had saved countless people over the years, many of them among Dunhollow's elite. But to avoid being exploited by the Vossen family, she had kept a low profile.

Once she expanded her business, though, there would be no need to hide anymore.

Just then, as Ophelia withdrew her hand, a commotion erupted outside the ward.

Connor, who could never sit still, immediately perked up. "Come on, Ophelia, let me walk you out."

Ophelia caught the gleam in his eye and shook her head helplessly. "Connor, your heart is still fragile. You shouldn't get worked up. Try to avoid unnecessary excitement."

But Connor only grinned, "It's boring being stuck in here all day. I heard a big shot was admitted next door; they cleared the entire floor this morning. I'm curious to see who it is. Maybe I even know him."

Before Ophelia could stop him, Connor clasped his hands behind his back and strolled toward the door. Wyatt sighed and followed, with Ophelia reluctantly tagging along.

Sure enough, as soon as they stepped into the corridor, they saw a hospital bed being pushed toward the ward next door. Connor immediately recognized the man lying on it. "Hey. Zachary? What happened to you?"

Zachary Caldwell clearly recognized Connor, too, but before he could respond, his complexion turned ashen and his breathing became labored. His condition looked critical.

Sensing something was wrong, Ophelia asked quietly, "Connor, is he a friend of yours?"

Connor nodded quickly. "Yeah. We fought side by side on the battlefield. He's my brother-in-arms. Zachary, what's going on with you?"

Without waiting for an answer, Connor followed the hospital staff as they wheeled the bed into the room.

Ophelia didn't enter but offered a quick warning. "He's likely having an acute heart attack, but it looks complicated. Even with surgery, the risk is very high."

Judging by his breathing and pallor, she suspected there were other complications involved. If they waited for test results before operating, it might already be too late.

Connor turned to her, anxiety written across his face. "The surgery's risky? Ophelia, do you have any way to save him?"

Connor knew exactly how skilled she was, and in that desperate moment, his first instinct was to ask her for help.

Ophelia hesitated for a moment but quickly realized how genuinely worried Connor was about his comrade. Zachary's condition was indeed critical. Taking a quiet breath, she decided to step forward and examine him herself.

Just as she suspected, Zachary's situation was even more complicated than Connor's had been.

Zachary had undergone a stent surgery before, yet he was now suffering another heart attack, this time with multiple complications. Performing surgery immediately would be far too dangerous.

"With his current condition, he's not fit for surgery," Ophelia said calmly. "I need to use acupuncture first."

'I have to stabilize him with traditional acupuncture. That'll greatly increase his chances of surviving the operation,' she thought.

Ophelia reached into the small pouch at her waist, pulling out her acupuncture kit. She intended to open up his blocked meridians first; otherwise, multiple clots could form, and surgery would be pointless.

Just as she prepared to start, a sharp voice came from the doorway. "Who's performing acupuncture on a patient? This is a modern hospital, not some shabby street clinic. Who permitted you to do whatever you want here?"

Ophelia and Connor turned around to see the attending physician entering, surrounded by a group of staff members.

She recognized him immediately, Aaron Vossen, Cameron and Abigail's eldest son, and her brother.

She had nearly forgotten that Aaron had recently earned his medical doctorate and been hired by Dunhollow Hospital as a senior attending physician. Still, she hadn't expected to run into him today.

Aaron's expression flickered with surprise the moment he saw her. "Ophelia?"

All these years, Aaron had barely spared her a glance. It was clear he hadn't expected that the person performing acupuncture in Dunhollow Hospital would be his estranged sister.

'Since when does she even know acupuncture? This is ridiculous,' Aaron thought irritably.

"What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to—" He stopped himself mid-sentence.

Although he rarely came home, Cameron and Abigail had already told him she'd been thrown out of the house.

He had assumed they would never cross paths again, yet here she was.

Ophelia met his gaze with a faint, mocking smile. "I didn't expect to see you here either, Dr. Vossen."

Years ago, when Professor Pierce Langston had returned to the country to take on a student, he had originally chosen Ophelia. But Abigail had forced her to allow Aaron instead.

To them, Ophelia was nothing more than a high school girl who liked flipping through medical journals, utterly unqualified to compete with their precious graduate student son.

Ophelia hadn't wanted to argue then; she'd even recommended Aaron herself. Yet after that, Aaron began looking down on her completely. Since then, she'd kept her distance.

Aaron's expression darkened. He lowered his voice and scolded her sharply. "I know you used to read those traditional medicine books and play around with acupuncture in high school, but this isn't the place for your nonsense. Leave, now. Don't interfere with my work."

Without another word, Aaron strode over to Zachary's bedside. Zachary had already been put on a ventilator, yet his breathing remained shallow, and his face had turned a frightening shade of purple.

Aaron ignored it entirely, focusing instead on the ECG and other reports in his hand.

Ophelia let out a cold laugh. "Dr. Vossen, Mr. Caldwell's condition is extremely critical. If you keep wasting time like this, it'll be too late to save him."

She was only trying to help, for old times' sake, and because she didn't want him to face a disaster on his first day at the hospital.

But Aaron found her words grating. "You haven't even graduated yet. What could you possibly understand? Stop causing trouble here. Amelia, please escort this irrelevant person out."

Chapter 3 Assistance

Connor knew Ophelia better than anyone. His expression darkened as he raised his voice sharply. "I'd like to see who dares throw Ophelia out. Zachary is my comrade-in-arms. Don't I have the right to ask a doctor I trust to treat him?"

Everyone in the VIP ward froze. These rooms were reserved for the most influential figures in Dunhollow, and Connor had been a long-term patient for nearly a year.

Everyone knew who he was, a decorated general with countless honors to his name. No one dared treat him lightly.

But Aaron, new to the hospital, had no idea who he was dealing with. He frowned and snapped, "And who might you be? You're a patient here, not a doctor. Stop interfering with our work. If something goes wrong, can you take responsibility for it?"

The nearby staff went pale with shock. One of them immediately tugged at Aaron's sleeve. "Dr. Vossen," the nurse whispered anxiously, "that's one of our top VIPs, Connor, the former head of the Blackwell family."

In Dunhollow, there was only one Blackwell family—a household known for its generations of war heroes and powerful politicians.

Even someone as arrogant as Aaron felt his throat tighten.

'Wait, this old guy is actually Mr. Blackwell?' Aaron was floored. 'And yet he was on such close terms with Ophelia and trusted her?'

'How's that possible? Aaron thought bitterly. She hasn't even graduated from college. How could she possibly have the skills to save anyone's life?' he wondered.

He forced a laugh. "That's ridiculous. No matter who he is, you can't just let some college student treat Ma. Caldwell."

Connor's face grew grim. "When I was dying, not a single doctor in this hospital dared touch me. Ophelia performed a ten-hour surgery herself—and she cured me. You, a fresh-out-of-school PhD, think you can question her?"

"Come on, that's impossible. I was the one who apprenticed under Professor Langston.

"After that, you didn't even keep up with medicine, so how could you have possibly operated on Mr. Blackwell? That's just ridiculous." Aaron couldn't believe what he was hearing; he was sure they had it all wrong.

Ophelia let out a soft, mocking laugh. "Dr. Vossen, do you know why Professor Langston chose you back then? It's because I turned him down and recommended you instead.

"I stopped studying under others simply because I didn't need to. There's hardly anyone left, domestically or abroad, qualified to teach me."

Ophelia had never spoken so boldly before. But she knew her family's nature all too well; if the Vossen family ever learned how capable she truly was, they'd exploit her without hesitation.

Now that she was free from them, she had no reason to hide anymore.

Aaron looked as though he'd been struck by lightning, his face turning red. "Don't talk nonsense. Professor Langston is the leading specialist in cardiovascular and neuro medicine. You think he would've wanted you as a student? Please."

Ophelia arched a brow. "If you knew I was the one who didn't want to go, imagine how humiliating that would be for you. But that's the truth. You're welcome to call Professor Langston right now if you don't believe me."

As she spoke, she stepped past him toward Zachary's bedside. "But today, you get to see my work firsthand. Afterward, maybe you'll consider studying under me. After all, Professor Langston's already taught you everything he could."

Before anyone could react, Ophelia swiftly drew several silver needles and inserted them into specific points along Zachary's chest, head, and arms, following the flow of his meridians.

A few doctors standing nearby who had some understanding of traditional medicine exchanged uneasy glances.

"I've never seen that kind of acupuncture technique before. Are you sure it's safe?"

"Yeah, does she even know what she's doing?" they whispered nervously.

Aaron suddenly noticed Zachary's face turning even paler—nearly gray.

He'd already reviewed Zachary's test results and knew the patient was in critical condition; even surgery carried huge risks. Now, watching this young woman stick needles into him, his patience snapped.

"Ophelia, I'm warning you." Aaron barked. "Mr. Caldwell's condition is extremely complicated. If you mess around with acupuncture, you'll take full responsibility for the consequences. His grandson is on his way. Let's see how you'll explain this when he arrives."

Connor's expression didn't waver. "If Ophelia says there's no time to wait, then there isn't. When Alaric arrives, I'll explain everything myself. For now, let her work."

Aaron clenched his jaw so tightly that it hurt. He had transferred to Dunhollow Hospital, expecting to shine—to make a name for himself. Yet now, this woman had completely stolen his spotlight.

He could only stand aside with the test reports in hand, inwardly hoping Ophelia would fail and that the patient would crash, just to prove her wrong.

But within minutes, as Ophelia's needles drew out several streams of dark, clotted blood, Zachary's complexion began to change. The purple hue faded; his breathing eased.

The treatment continued. At the doorway, a tall, imposing figure appeared, standing silently as the scene unfolded. The assistant beside him opened his mouth to announce their presence, but Zachary weakly raised a hand to stop him.

He had heard the argument earlier while being wheeled from the elevator, and he'd recognized Connor's voice.

Now, he was curious to see the young doctor who had earned Connor's personal endorsement.

Yet when his eyes landed on her, he was momentarily stunned. The girl looked barely eighteen, delicate, her features refined but soft. She wore plain jeans and canvas shoes, a simple bag slung over her shoulder—nothing like a doctor.

But her gaze was sharp and focused, her hands moving with practiced precision. Fine beads of sweat gathered on her forehead as she worked, proof of the immense energy the procedure demanded, even though it was just acupuncture.

The room fell silent except for the rhythmic beeping of the machines.

Ten minutes later, while everyone still expected disaster, Zachary's breathing had steadied. His complexion shifted from bluish-purple to healthy pink.

The dull haze in his eyes slowly cleared, replaced by awareness—and even a hint of admiration.

At last, Ophelia let out a quiet breath and quickly removed all the needles. Then, to everyone's shock, she reached forward and tore off the patient's oxygen mask.

Everyone froze in shock at her move. A nurse gasped. "He's been struggling to breathe. He'll suffocate without oxygen—"

But Ophelia didn't waver. She simply leaned closer and asked softly, "Feeling better now? You should be able to breathe and speak normally again, shouldn't you?"

Chapter 4 Credit

Zachary finally nodded, managing a weak smile. "Ophelia, you've got some real skills."

On the way here, he had truly thought today would be his last day alive; he hadn't even had the strength to say a final word.

To his surprise, within just ten minutes, Ophelia's treatment made him feel much better.

Ophelia nodded slightly with a calm smile. "You're flattering me. Your condition has stabilized a lot now. The chances of your surgery succeeding have gone up.

"If you'd entered the operating room in your earlier state, I'd say you'd only have about a twenty percent chance of surviving."

As she spoke, she methodically disinfected the needles and packed them away.

Ophelia was too firm. Besides her, Aaron's expression darkened. "How can you be so sure it's twenty percent? Are you even a doctor? I could report you for illegal medical practice right now—do you realize that?"

Ophelia arched an eyebrow, amused. She put away the needle kit, pulled out her phone, and displayed a gleaming medical license. "Dr. Vossen, this is the license you've been dreaming of earning your whole life.

"Recognize it? I got mine three years ago. You can try reporting me—but I doubt you'll get the chance."

Aaron froze. "N–No way. That has to be fake."

Connor, standing beside him, sneered, "You can't match her skills, so you slander her instead? Doctorate or not, your character's still a disgrace."

Aaron choked on his words. Even if he wanted to argue, he didn't dare.

The other doctors quickly stepped in. "Dr. Vossen, let's just focus on Mr. Caldwell's condition first."

Though Aaron's face was dark with anger, he still needed to confirm Zachary's status; if something went wrong, Ophelia wouldn't be walking out of this hospital easily.

Seeing that Zachary's condition had greatly improved and time was nearly up, Ophelia turned to Connor. "I've done my part and stabilized him. The rest is up to the hospital now. Someone's waiting for me. I'll take my leave."

She started toward the door, not wanting to keep Samuel waiting.

But then, she suddenly noticed a tall, commanding figure standing in the doorway.

The moment their eyes met, his sharp gaze locked onto her. "Ophelia? Please stay."

At his words, everyone turned to look.

Aaron's eyes lit up instantly when he recognized the man. He hurried over. "Mr. Caldwell, you're here."

He rushed to explain Zachary's condition, eager to take credit. "Mr. Caldwell's condition has stabilized for now. Next, we'll wait for the rest of the test results and plan the surgery in detail. Don't worry. I'll be performing it myself—"

But Alaric didn't even glance at him. His gaze was fixed solely on Ophelia. "I've been meaning to meet Connor's attending doctor. I didn't expect we'd cross paths today.

"This must be a chance. How about letting Ophelia handle my grandfather's surgery? Name your price."

Zachary's health had been poor for years, but he never trusted outsiders. Even when Alaric brought in top specialists, the old man refused treatment.

Now, with Connor as proof of her skill, Alaric knew this was his chance.

Ophelia hadn't expected this man to ask her to perform Zachary's surgery.

But Aaron was even more shocked. "Mr. Caldwell, you already told the director Elijah Barrett that I'd be in charge of the operation. I'm Professor Langston's student and a medical PhD—"

Performing Zachary's surgery would skyrocket his reputation, not to mention the financial perks and a connection to the powerful Caldwell family.

This was the chance of a lifetime.

But Alaric still didn't look at him.

His attention remained fixed on the Vossen family's long-neglected daughter.

With a cold glance, Alaric gave a slight nod, and his assistant immediately stepped forward to block Aaron. "Dr. Vossen, Mr. Caldwell needs to discuss something privately. Please step outside."

Aaron hadn't managed to throw Ophelia out earlier, and now he was being thrown out instead.

"Ophelia. Are you doing this out of spite because you were kicked out of the Vossen family? Mr. Caldwell, she's just an undergrad. Her license is fake. Don't believe her," he snapped.

Alaric's eyes narrowed. His patience was gone.

Sensing it, the assistant twisted Aaron's arm behind his back with a sharp motion. "Watch your mouth. Out."

With that, he shoved Aaron out of the VIP room.

Aaron stumbled, crashing face-first into the hallway wall.

The doctors following him looked mortified, but all they could do was help him up.

Behind them, Alaric's assistant closed the door and cleared the room.

Aaron had strutted around the Vossen house for over a decade—but now he'd been humiliated in public.

The sight improved Ophelia's mood considerably. For the first time, she found Alaric a little more likable. "Alright," she said with a faint smirk. "I can do it. But my fees aren't cheap."

Alaric didn't hesitate. "One surgery—three million dollars. If you can get my grandfather back to Connor's condition, you'll receive an additional 5 million as a completion bonus."

Zachary's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Alaric to be so generous just to save him.

But he was in no shape to argue; after all, without Ophelia, he'd already be dead.

Connor chuckled, "That's Alaric for you—always bold with money. But honestly, Ophelia's skill is worth every penny."

Seeing that they all knew each other and that Alaric's offer was more than fair, Ophelia nodded. "Alright. Since we're acquaintances, I'll give you a small discount. Zachary's case is far more complicated than Connor's, after all."

Connor was taken aback; he hadn't expected her to offer a discount. He quickly chimed in, "Wait, Zachary's case is tougher than mine? Well, I guess that tracks. He once took a serious hit just to save me—"

There was no way he could just stand by and watch his old war buddy slip away.

Alaric just smiled, "No need for a discount. Ophelia, as long as you can get my grandpa back on his feet, 15 million is no problem at all."

Chapter 5 Shoulder Throw

There was no reason for Ophelia to turn down such a generous offer. "Alright," she said calmly. "Then I'll do my best."

Seeing her agree, Alaric immediately signed a check and handed it to her. "5 million dollars up front, Dr. Vossen. Please, take it."

Ophelia smiled lightly, "Then I'll gladly accept."

Her smile was bright and confident. Alaric found the corners of his mouth lifting almost involuntarily.

She wasn't just beautiful—something was intriguing about her. He'd heard she was the disowned foster daughter of the Vossen family, and that only made him more curious.

Noticing the weight of his gaze, Ophelia instinctively looked away and turned back to Zachary's bedside. She began reviewing the reports Aaron had left behind.

She said, "With just these test results, surgery isn't possible yet," she said matter-of-factly. "I'll order a few more scans later. This medication—have him take it tonight.

"It'll relieve the pain and help stabilize his condition before surgery. As of now, his body's too weak. The earliest we can operate is tomorrow."

Her voice was calm and steady, her tone confident. Despite her youth, she carried herself with the composure of a veteran healer—far more seasoned than most so-called experts.

Alaric found himself nodding unconsciously. "Understood."

Standing nearby, Ryan stole a quick glance at his boss.

This was new. Alaric, the man who ruled the business world with a cold, skeptical hand, never trusted anyone this easily. Yet here he was, agreeing without a word of doubt.

This young woman's presence was something else.

After giving a few more instructions, Ophelia added, "That'll be all for now. I've operated at Dunhollow Hospital before, but last time, Connor handled all the paperwork for me as an external consultant.

"Mr. Caldwell, I'll be here early tomorrow. Please make sure the arrangements are done properly—I don't want anyone interfering with my surgery."

Alaric's lips curved slightly. He knew exactly who she was referring to. "Consider it done."

When he smiled, the hard lines of his face softened. Normally, his sharp features exuded dominance and quiet danger.

But that faint smile added an effortless charm that made him almost devastatingly handsome.

Ophelia couldn't help but think he was the most striking man she'd ever met.

Still, she quickly composed herself, checked her watch, and said evenly, "I really have to go. Someone's waiting for me at home. See you tomorrow, Mr. Caldwell. If there's any emergency, call me anytime."

She handed him a business card and left.

Alaric looked down at the card, his lips curving into an unreadable smile.

Connor, however, wasn't about to let the moment pass. "Alaric, don't you dare make a move on her," he teased. "I've got plans for her to meet my grandson once I'm discharged. You stay out of it."

As soon as he got out of the hospital, he was already planning to set her up with his grandson and make sure they met; no way he'd let anyone else steal her away.

Alaric didn't reply. He just smiled faintly and said instead, "Connor, thank you. If it weren't for you today, my grandfather wouldn't have made it."

Connor grinned proudly, "Damn right. If those useless doctors had operated on him, Zachary wouldn't have even made it off the table."

Then he turned to Zachary with a chuckle. "Guess God wants you alive today, old man. You're so lucky."

Zachary rolled his eyes. "You talk too damn much. Go away."

The two old men bickered like schoolboys, and Alaric shook his head with amusement before giving Ryan a discreet order. "Find out everything you can about Ophelia."

'If she's been kicked out of the Vossen family, who exactly is waiting for her at home?' he wondered.

The thought lingered in his mind. His instincts told him. Ophelia wasn't simple.

"Yes, sir." Ryan nodded and left immediately.

*****

Downstairs, Ophelia took the elevator to the lobby. She thought she could finally leave in peace, but Aaron was waiting by the exit.

The moment he saw her, he stormed forward, his voice shaking with rage. "Ophelia, you ruined everything for me. I'll make you pay for this."

All Aaron could think about was how his chance to make a name for himself had been snatched away. Ignoring where they were, he lunged toward her, hand raised to grab her hair.

But before his fingers could even brush a strand, Ophelia moved. In one swift motion, she seized his wrist, pivoted her foot, and sent him flying clean over her shoulder. He crashed to the ground with a brutal thud.

Aaron let out a strangled scream. The impact sent a jolt of pain through his back so fierce he thought his organs might burst.

Curled up on the floor, he gasped between moans, "Ophelia, what the hell— You can fight? Since when do you know martial arts?"

"You trying to mess with me?" Ophelia brushed the dust off her hands and looked at Aaron as if he were nothing more than trash.

"When I was still with the Vossen family, I thought we were family, so I held back a little. But now that I know we're not—do you really think I'll keep being nice to you?" she added.

As she spoke, she stepped down hard on his chest. The pressure made Aaron's face turn purple. "L-let me go," he choked.

Ophelia didn't ease up. She even bent forward slightly, her tone laced with mockery. "Go tell your parents. Everything they've been getting from me all these years for free, I'll be taking it all back, piece by piece.

"And if your family wants to keep living comfortably, then you'd better stay out of my sight. Because next time?" She pressed harder with her heel. "It won't be this simple."

Only then did she lift her foot.

Aaron curled up on the ground, gasping, unable to make another sound.

Ophelia gave him one last cold glance before turning and walking away with effortless pride.

But what she didn't know was that Alaric's right-hand man, Ryan, had seen everything.

Once Ophelia got into the car, Samuel glanced at her in surprise.

He didn't know who she had just taught a lesson to, but watching her like that, so sharp and so fearless, there was a flicker of admiration in his eyes.

'She really is a Rowle,' Samuel thought. 'Even if she grew up away from the family, that bloodline can't be erased.'

He drove her toward Dunhollow's most exclusive residential district.

Everywhere she looked, there were sprawling villas, each more luxurious than the last. Even the Vossen family wouldn't have qualified to live here.

It was clear; her real parents were anything but ordinary.

Soon, their car rolled to a stop at the very top of the hill, in front of the largest estate in the entire neighborhood.

In the center of the grounds stood a magnificent seaside castle, its design so striking that anyone in Dunhollow could spot it from miles away.

Locals called it Poseidon Manor, for it commanded the most breathtaking view of the sea and stood proudly at the summit of Eastrise Hill, the most prestigious area in the city.

Rumor had it that the family living here traced their lineage back hundreds of years—a dynasty of true power.

Ophelia could hardly believe Samuel had brought her here.

Seeing her surprise, Samuel stepped out and opened her door with a polite smile.

"Ms. Rowle," he said warmly. "Shall we go in?"

"Alright," Ophelia said, rolling with it. She'd seen her share of luxury before, so she just nodded, stepped out of the car, and followed Samuel toward the entrance.

As they approached the entrance, two lines of servants stood on either side of the grand doorway.

The moment she stepped forward, they all bowed deeply. "Welcome home, Ms. Rowle."

Ophelia blinked. 'Home? Bullshit. This feels more like a palace than a house,' she thought.

Just as she was about to walk inside, a black Maybach pulled up behind them.

She turned, puzzled, and watched as a girl, elegantly dressed in designer brands, stepped gracefully out of the car.

Samuel froze for a second. "Zoe?"

Zoe Rowle was Victoria Rowle's sister's kid. Back when Victoria thought her child had died in that fire, she was a total wreck.

Then her sister died in childbirth, and that double hit nearly broke her for good. Adrian Rowle ended up taking Zoe in as their adopted daughter, and that was the only thing that helped Mrs. Rowle get back on her feet.

For years, Zoe had called Adrian and Victoria Mom and Dad, and everyone had treated her as the true heiress.

But recently, they discovered the truth. Ophelia had never died. She had simply been switched at birth.

And now, seeing both girls appear at the same time. Things were bound to get awkward.

Zoe didn't seem to notice Samuel's discomfort. Instead, she smiled playfully. "Well, this was supposed to be a surprise," she said. "Samuel, how'd you find out I came back early?"

She was supposed to return from her two-week overseas program over the weekend, just in time for her grandfather's party, but she'd decided to come home ahead of schedule to prepare. What she hadn't expected was to run into Samuel the moment she arrived.

Chapter 6 The Truth

Samuel, usually calm and composed, suddenly looked a little uneasy. Still, he kept his tone formal and steady. "No. I just happened to run into you returning home. Welcome back, Zoe."

"Welcome home," the servants echoed in unison.

Hearing Samuel's words, Ophelia glanced at the girl beside him. 'So there's another daughter in this family?' she thought.

Zoe finally noticed Ophelia and froze for a second. "And this is?" she asked, her gaze lingering.

'She looks so much like Mom,' Zoe thought to herself, her smile faltering for a heartbeat.

Samuel, afraid Ophelia might overthink it, didn't answer directly. Instead, he said briskly, "Let's head inside. We can talk there."

The way he addressed both of them was enough for Ophelia to understand exactly who Zoe was.

Zoe, still lost in her own excitement, didn't notice the tension. "Let's go. Mom and Dad must be dying to see me."

Samuel didn't respond. He simply gestured politely toward the entrance, offering Ophelia the lead, giving her every ounce of respect due to the true heiress.

The moment they stepped into the grand hall, they saw Adrian and Victoria sitting on the sofa, dressed formally, waiting.

Before Samuel could even introduce her, Zoe ran ahead with a bright smile. "Dad, Mom. Why are you dressed up like this? Did you know I was coming home early?"

Adrian's face stiffened slightly. "Zoe, why didn't you tell us you were coming back ahead of time?"

Ophelia immediately picked up on the awkwardness in their tone, her instincts sharpening.

'Strange,' she thought. 'Isn't it normal for siblings to live together? Why does this feel tense?'

Zoe blinked. "Wait, you didn't know I was coming? Then why are you dressed so formally? Is it because of—"

Before she could finish, Samuel stepped forward and spoke clearly. "Mr. and Mrs. Rowle, I've brought home Ms. Rowle."

Zoe froze.

Adrian and Victoria's eyes lit up instantly, all attention now on Ophelia. Adrian's voice trembled slightly with emotion. "You're Ophelia?"

Adrian had seen her photo before, but seeing her in person, seeing the familiar features, the unmistakable Rowle bloodline, still took his breath away.

"We were such fools," he murmured, shaking his head. "How did we not realize there'd been a switch all those years ago?"

For so many years, they had believed their biological daughter had perished in the hospital fire. They had never even thought to verify the other babies born that night.

Zoe stood there, stunned. "Switched?" The word echoed in her mind like thunder.

She wondered, 'Wait, does that mean this girl is their real daughter? Then what does that make me?

'They've called me their daughter for over ten years, and now they're just bringing her back? Where does that leave me?'

Victoria, tears welling up in her eyes, stepped forward and took Ophelia's hand with trembling fingers.

"I heard the Vossen family favored sons over daughters all these years. Did you suffer because of that?" she asked softly, her heart aching.

'Look at her, so plain, no jewelry, no luggage, Victoria thought painfully. How much has she gone through?' she wondered.

Ophelia's heart trembled for the first time. It was their first meeting, yet something deep inside her stirred, a blood-deep connection that made Victoria feel instantly familiar.

She didn't pull away. Instead, she let Victoria hold her hand, her eyes gentle.

'No wonder,' she thought. 'No matter how many years I lived with the Vossen family, I never truly felt close to them.'

Seeing the warmth and genuine care in Victoria's eyes, Ophelia smiled faintly, reassuring her. "I'm fine. I've never lacked anything all these years."

And it was true. She lacked nothing; her own success could buy out the entire Vossen Group ten times over.

She had only hidden her wealth and identity to stop that family from bleeding her dry.

Adrian let out a deep sigh. "It's all right now. You're home. Your mother and I will make it up to you for everything you've missed. Whatever you want, we'll make sure you have it."

Ophelia's heart warmed up. She was sure her real parents could run circles around the Vossen family. "Okay, thank you, Mom, Dad."

Upon seeing how happy they were, Zoe forced a smile, though her heart was shattering. "So let me get this straight," she said, voice trembling slightly. "She's the one you thought died in that hospital fire. She's your real daughter?"

Zoe's question left Victoria momentarily speechless.

Adrian exhaled slowly, his tone calm but firm. "Yes, Zoe. Ophelia is our biological daughter."

He paused, his gaze softening. "But don't worry. Your aunt made me promise, before your mom passed, that we would take care of you. We gave her our word, and we won't go back on it.

"You'll always be our child, too. That will never change."

Ophelia was sharp enough to grasp everything in an instant.

The girl in front of her, Zoe, must be her cousin. Before her aunt's death, she had entrusted her daughter to Adrian and Victoria's care. Out of love and obligation, they had raised Zoe as their own.

After all, Zoe was her cousin, and Victoria would never want to hurt her. Ophelia chose to be understanding. "Mom, Dad, I respect whatever you decide."

Her maturity made Victoria's heart swell with relief. "Oh, Ophelia, you're such a good girl. Thank you for understanding me."

Adrian, however, noticed the flicker of pain in his daughter's eyes, and guilt crept quietly into his own.

Seeing that the atmosphere had finally eased, Victoria smiled and turned to both girls.

"You were born a few months apart," she said warmly. "So from today on, Zoe, you'll be the colder cousin, and Ophelia will be the elder one. Understood?"

Zoe's heart twisted, but she forced a smile, her voice sweet but strained. "I understand, Mom."

Just then, Chloe, the family maid, walked in with a tray of coffee.

Everyone took a seat as the aroma filled the air. Victoria used the moment to bring up a practical matter. "Chloe, have you prepared Ophelia's room yet?"

Chloe, who had served Victoria for over ten years and had been assigned to care for Zoe since her adoption, bowed respectfully. Her standing in the Rowle household was second only to Samuel's.

"It's all set," Chloe said with a polite smile. "She'll be staying in the bedroom right next to Zoe's. They're close in age, both young ladies; it'll be good for them to bond."

Her tone was perfectly polite, yet Adrian's brow furrowed. "The room next to Zoe's, that's a secondary suite, isn't it?"

At that, Ophelia looked at the maid more closely. The Rowle residence was massive; there was no shortage of luxurious rooms on any floor. Yet the maid had deliberately arranged for her to stay in a side bedroom, while the main ones were clearly available.

Then she caught a fleeting glance exchanged between Chloe and Zoe, and everything clicked.

'Ah,' she thought coldly. 'So this maid works for Zoe. And this is her little way of putting me in my place.'

Chloe, sensing the shift, pressed on quickly, her tone sugar-coated. "Although it's a secondary suite, Samuel had the balcony extended. The entire room's been refurbished. It's not much smaller than a master suite.

"Since Ophelia's new to the house, it'll be easier for Zoe to help her settle in."

Zoe smiled sweetly, satisfaction flickering in her eyes. "I think it's a good arrangement. This way, Ophelia can come to me anytime she needs help. It'll be nice to look after each other."

Ophelia, however, had long since learned to read these kinds of bad words; she'd endured far worse from Abigail and the Vossen family.

Back at the Vossen residence, she used to just let things slide. But now that she was finally home, she wasn't about to put up with anyone's nonsense.

"I'm not picky," Ophelia said calmly, "but I do like bright, spacious rooms. Secondary suites are usually on the north side, aren't they?" She turned her gaze toward Zoe, her smile razor-sharp.

"Since you'd like us to be close, Zoe, why don't we switch? You can take the smaller room, and I'll have your master bedroom," she continued.

Ophelia shot Chloe a cold, indifferent look. For some reason, it sent a chill down Chloe's spine, and she quickly lowered her head. "Yes, I didn't think it through.

"The guest room is indeed on the north side. If you don't like it, Miss Ophelia, I can arrange something else. But you can't just waltz in and claim Zoe's master bedroom."

"Claim it?" Ophelia raised an eyebrow, her gaze icy. "Chloe, are you trying to put me in my place?"

Chloe looked even more flustered now.

Adrian's frown deepened. "Seriously, Chloe, what's up with you today? First, you mess up the room, now you're talking so rudely?"

Chapter 7 Dating

Chloe immediately lowered her head in apology. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It just slipped out, I didn't think before speaking."

"According to psychology, what slips out is often what people truly think," Ophelia said lightly. "But you're mistaken. I never tried to take anyone's room. Zoe said she wanted to stay close to me, so I offered to switch rooms. Isn't that right, Zoe?"

Ophelia turned to Zoe with a smile, tossing the question straight at her.

Zoe froze, clearly embarrassed. She could only nod stiffly. "Yeah, I wanted to be near Ophelia. It's just I've got a lot of stuff, so it'll take me a while to move everything."

Not wanting the two girls to misunderstand each other, Victoria quickly stepped in. "Chloe, there are plenty of rooms in the house. Go prepare the biggest and brightest master bedroom on the sixth floor for Ophelia."

Chloe's expression stiffened at once. "Understood, Mrs. Rowle. I'll send someone to get it ready right away."

She turned and walked out of the living room, but not before shooting Ophelia a resentful look.

Ophelia looked rather plain on the outside, and Chloe hadn't expected her to be so sharp-tongued.

Watching her leave, Ophelia sneered inwardly. 'Poor planning? What nonsense. That servant was clearly testing my temper on purpose,' she wondered.

She had never backed down from anyone in the Vossen family, not even Abigail. Now that she was back in her own home, she certainly wouldn't let anyone push her around.

Once the matter was settled, Zoe still pretended to sound kind. "I just wanted to spend more time bonding with Ophelia, but I didn't realize she preferred bigger rooms."

She deliberately twisted Ophelia's intentions, making it sound as if Ophelia simply liked luxury.

Before Ophelia could defend herself, Adrian spoke up, his tone firm and protective. "There's an elevator in the house. If you want to bond with Ophelia, you can visit her upstairs anytime.

"But she shouldn't have to squeeze into that tiny room next to yours. Everyone has their own floor, so does Ophelia."

'Of course I'll spoil my daughter,' Adrian thought. 'If she wants a larger room, why shouldn't she have it?'

For the first time, Ophelia didn't have to fight for herself. Someone else, her family, was standing up for her.

The feeling of being protected warmed her heart.

'The Rowles really are nothing like the Vossen family,' she thought.

Zoe's face stiffened. 'Father used to dote on me the most. But now that Ophelia's back, he's siding with her?' she wondered.

Just as that thought struck, Samuel entered the room with a man. "Mr. and Mrs. Rowle, someone from the Caldwell family is here with a letter."

"The Caldwell family?" Adrian asked. "A letter from Zachary?"

Usually, messages were delivered verbally. Only the former heads of the two families ever exchanged letters.

As the Caldwell messenger stepped forward, Ophelia found him oddly familiar.

'Where have I seen him before?' she wondered. 'Right, the hospital. He's the Caldwell family's butler.'

Jason also froze when he saw her, but said nothing. His expression flickered with confusion, as though surprised to find her here.

He delivered Dominic Caldwell's message to Adrian. "This letter is for Tristan Rowle, and he asked me to pass on a message to you, Mr. Rowle. He's heard that your daughter has returned.

"The engagement between the Caldwell and Rowle families must remain unchanged, and identities must not be confused. Mr. Caldwell hopes that at Tristan's upcoming party, the Rowle family will publicly clarify the engagement partner so that there's no unnecessary speculation."

His words were brief but crystal clear.

Adrian looked slightly taken aback. "Mr. Caldwell found out that quickly?"

They had only found Ophelia earlier that day, and the Caldwell family already knew.

Then again, old families with centuries of lineage cared deeply about bloodlines. Even between main and branch families, boundaries were strictly drawn.

Now that the Rowles had recovered their biological daughter, the Caldwell family obviously wouldn't allow Zoe to marry into their family anymore.

Hearing the word engagement, Ophelia immediately thought of Alaric.

'No way. That man is the one engaged to the Rowle family's daughter?' she wondered in disbelief.

Zoe's face tightened. "Dad, Mom, I don't care about most things, but Alaric and I have been dating for a long time. Is Zachary really trying to break us up?"

Her tone was deliberately vague, though her heart trembled slightly. The family had always tacitly acknowledged her relationship with Alaric, but he had never shown her any warmth in return. Still, she had liked him for years.

Hearing Zoe's words, Ophelia silently sighed with relief.

'Perfect. So Zoe's already dating Alaric? That means the engagement has nothing to do with me.'

But Adrian looked genuinely surprised. "You and Alaric are dating?"

They had been engaged for years. Occasionally, they went out together, and at parties, they always appeared side by side.

But Alaric had never once publicly acknowledged their relationship.

Zoe lowered her head shyly, pretending to blush. "Alaric hasn't made it official yet. I didn't want to announce anything before he did."

Adrian looked conflicted and glanced toward Ophelia.

But Ophelia had no desire for Adrian to fight for this marriage on her behalf.

She had only just returned to her real family; marriage was the last thing she wanted.

Seeing her parents look at Ophelia, Zoe immediately put on a pitiful expression. "Technically, Ophelia's the real daughter of the Rowle family. But Alaric and I have been together for so many years. Ophelia, you wouldn't take him from me, would you?"

Ophelia quickly followed her lead. "Since you and Mr. Caldwell are genuinely in love, why would I ever come between you two?"

In high society, arranged marriages for business purposes were common, but Ophelia had no interest in them.

Her marriage would be her own decision, and no one could force her hand.

Hearing her say that, Zoe's joy was instant and obvious. "I knew it, Ophelia. You've always been so understanding. Thank you for letting me and Alaric be together."

The sisters' polite exchange left the elders unsure how to respond.

"This matter still needs to be discussed with your grandfather," Adrian said finally. "You two should head upstairs for now."

He and Victoria rose and went upstairs with the Caldwell family's butler.

Ophelia was about to ask Samuel to show her to her room when Zoe suddenly offered warmly, "Ophelia, you just got back, so you probably don't know your way around. Let me take you to your room."

"Alright," Ophelia agreed.

'It's just showing me the way. Doesn't matter who does it,' she thought.

The two of them stepped into the elevator together.

As the doors closed, Ophelia had no intention of talking, but Zoe spoke first, her tone deliberately soft. "Ophelia, thank you again for stepping aside for me and Alaric. I honestly wouldn't have known what to do otherwise."

Ophelia glanced at her calmly. "No need to thank me. I only said that because I hate arranged marriages, not because I wanted to help you."

Her tone carried open disdain for the idea of a business marriage, and a clear lack of interest in Zoe's affairs.

Still, Zoe continued her act of deep affection. "Alaric and I have been engaged for eight years. I've loved him for eight years.

"Ophelia, I know you've come home now, and a lot of things should rightfully go back to you. I can give you everything else, but Alaric is the one thing I can't give up."