Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter 31
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. Everyone froze, eyes darting between Roxanne and Lucian.
Roxanne’s heart raced as she watched Lucian’s large hand grip her credentials. A wave of panic surged through her. She had been avoiding his gaze ever since she walked into the Queen residence, but now she had no choice but to focus on him.
What is he trying to do?
Lucian held the documents, his gaze flicking briefly to Roxanne before speaking with a casual yet pointed tone. “A lot of people these days fake their credentials to make themselves seem more impressive. Old Mr. Queen’s condition is already critical, so you two can’t afford to be fooled by someone with a false reputation.”
As he spoke, he began flipping through the pages of her credentials, taking his time, as if meticulously inspecting each detail. His fingers lingered on each page, his scrutiny slow and deliberate.
Roxanne felt a tight knot form in her stomach. Every line he read seemed to draw a more mocking expression on his face. Her eyes followed his movements, unable to look away. She could sense the growing tension, the unspoken judgment hanging in the air.
Her credentials were flawless. Her achievements during her time abroad were impressive enough to silence any doubter, but the more Lucian read, the more her nerves tightened. His gaze seemed to grow colder, more disdainful, and her stomach churned in response.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lucian closed the folder slowly, his gaze still on her. The silence that followed was heavy with anticipation.
“This looks… real enough,” he said, his voice cool, almost dismissive. He cast a quick glance at her, the corners of his lips curling into a slight, condescending smile. “However, I think it would be best to double-check her credentials, Jonathan. You can never be too careful. After all, these things can be bought.”
Roxanne’s patience snapped. She couldn’t stay silent any longer.
He’s doing this on purpose. He’s trying to undermine me and make them doubt my abilities!
Normally, she might have brushed off his remarks, but this time, it was personal. This was about the research institute. This was about the future of her work, and she couldn’t afford to let Lucian sabotage her chance to treat Old Mr. Queen.
With a steadying breath, she fixed her gaze on him and replied, her voice colder than before. “Yes, credentials can be bought. But you can’t buy skill. If I’m not capable, you’ll know when I treat Old Mr. Queen, Mr. Farwell.”
The tension between them was palpable, and Jonathan, watching the exchange closely, was starting to sense something more than just a professional disagreement between the two.
He glanced back and forth between them, his confusion deepening. Do they know each other? The question lingered in his mind. They must. Why else would Lucian speak to her like that?
Frieda, who had been watching the interaction with a critical eye, finally broke the silence. “Do you two know each other?”
Roxanne immediately shook her head, her voice firm and unhesitating. “No. How could I possibly know someone as mighty as Mr. Farwell?”
She turned to Jonathan then, her expression hardening with determination. “I’m here to treat Old Mr. Queen, Mr. Queen. If you don’t mind, I’d like to take a look at him.”
The abrupt change in topic caught Jonathan off guard. He blinked, trying to process her sudden shift in focus.
But Roxanne didn’t let him think too long. Her tone turned even more serious, her eyes intense. “I’m a doctor, and I’m here to understand Old Mr. Queen’s condition. Even if I can’t treat him, I won’t make things worse. I just need to see him. If I can help him, then I’ll do everything I can. If not, I’ll leave immediately and won’t disturb you anymore.”
There was a quiet intensity to her words, a sincerity that couldn’t be ignored.
Jonathan hesitated, but he couldn’t dismiss the urgency in her voice. He glanced at Frieda and then back at Lucian, who stood silently, his gaze fixed on Roxanne.
The tension in the room thickened, but Roxanne didn’t falter. She needed this opportunity, and nothing—especially not Lucian’s games—was going to stop her now.
